Intel Core i9-12900KS vs AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX Benchmark, comparison and differences


Intel Core i9-12900KS		AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX
CPU comparison In this CPU comparison, we compare the Intel Core i9-12900KS and the AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX and use benchmarks to check which processor is faster. We compare the Intel Core i9-12900KS 16 core processor released in Q2/2022 with the AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX which has 8 CPU cores and was introduced in Q1/2022.

Intel Core i9 (78)	Family	AMD Ryzen 9 (35)
Intel Core i 12000 (34)	CPU group	AMD Ryzen 6000H/7035H (20)
12	Generation	5
Alder Lake S	Architecture	Rembrandt (Zen 3+)
Desktop / Server	Segment	Mobile
--	Predecessor	AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX
Intel Core i9-13900KS	Successor	--

CPU Cores and Base Frequency The Intel Core i9-12900KS is a 16 core processor with a clock frequency of 3.40 GHz (5.50 GHz). The processor can compute 24 threads at the same time. The AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX clocks with 3.30 GHz (5.00 GHz), has 8 CPU cores and can calculate 16 threads in parallel.
Intel Core i9-12900KS	Characteristic	AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX
16	Cores	8
24	Threads	16
hybrid (big.LITTLE)	Core architecture	normal
Yes	Hyperthreading	Yes
Yes	Overclocking ?	No
3.40 GHz (5.50 GHz) 8x Golden Cove	A-Core	3.30 GHz (5.00 GHz) 8x Zen 3+
2.50 GHz (4.00 GHz) 8x Gracemont	B-Core	--
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Processors with the support of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can process many calculations, especially audio, image and video processing, much faster than classic processors. Algorithms for ML improve their performance the more data they have collected via software. ML tasks can be processed up to 10,000 times faster than with a classic processor.
Intel Core i9-12900KS	Characteristic	AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX
--	AI hardware	--
--	AI specifications	--

Internal Graphics Graphics (iGPU) integrated into the processor not only enable image output without having to rely on a dedicated graphics solution, but can also efficiently accelerate video playback.
Intel UHD Graphics 770	GPU	AMD Radeon 680M
0.30 GHz	GPU frequency	2.00 GHz
1.55 GHz	GPU (Turbo)	2.40 GHz
11	GPU Generation	9
10 nm	Technology	6 nm
3	Max. displays	3
32	Compute units	12
256	Shader	768
No	Hardware Raytracing	Yes
No	Frame Generation	No
64 GB	Max. GPU Memory	8 GB
12	DirectX Version	12

Hardware codec support A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
Intel UHD Graphics 770	GPU	AMD Radeon 680M
Decode / Encode	Codec h265 / HEVC (8 bit)	Decode / Encode
Decode / Encode	Codec h265 / HEVC (10 bit)	Decode / Encode
Decode / Encode	Codec h264	Decode / Encode
Decode / Encode	Codec VP9	Decode / Encode
Decode / Encode	Codec VP8	Decode / Encode
Decode	Codec AV1	Decode
Decode / Encode	Codec AVC	Decode / Encode
Decode	Codec VC-1	Decode
Decode / Encode	Codec JPEG	Decode / Encode

Memory & PCIe Up to 128 GB of memory in a maximum of 2 memory channels is supported by the Intel Core i9-12900KS, while the AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX supports a maximum of 64 GB of memory with a maximum memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s enabled.
Intel Core i9-12900KS	Characteristic	AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX
DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	Memory	LPDDR5-6400, DDR5-4800
128 GB	Max. Memory	64 GB
2 (Dual Channel)	Memory channels	2 (Dual Channel)
76.8 GB/s	Max. Bandwidth	76.8 GB/s
Yes	ECC	No
14.00 MB	L2 Cache	4.00 MB
30.00 MB	L3 Cache	16.00 MB
5.0	PCIe version	4.0
20	PCIe lanes	12
78.8 GB/s	PCIe Bandwidth	23.6 GB/s
Thermal Management The Intel Core i9-12900KS has a TDP of 150 W. The TDP of the AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX is 45 W. System integrators use the TDP of the processor as a guide when dimensioning the cooling solution.
Intel Core i9-12900KS	Characteristic	AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX
150 W	TDP (PL1 / PBP)	45 W
241 W	TDP (PL2)	--
--	TDP up	54 W
--	TDP down	--
90 °C	Tjunction max.	95 °C
Technical details The Intel Core i9-12900KS has 44.00 MB cache and is manufactured in 10 nm. The cache of AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX is at 20.00 MB. The processor is manufactured in 6 nm.
Intel Core i9-12900KS	Characteristic	AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX
10 nm	Technology	6 nm
Monolithic	Chip design	Monolithic
x86-64 (64 bit)	Instruction set (ISA)	x86-64 (64 bit)
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX2+	ISA extensions	SSE4a, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, FMA3
LGA 1700	Socket	FP7
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d	Virtualization	AMD-V, SVM
Yes	AES-NI	Yes
Windows 10, Windows 11, Linux	Operating systems	Windows 10, Windows 11, Linux
Q2/2022	Release date	Q1/2022
749 $	Release price	--

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Intel Core i9-12900KS 16C 24T @ 3.40 GHz (5.50 GHz) buy now on Amazon and save! AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX 8C 16T @ 3.30 GHz (5.00 GHz) buy now on Amazon and save!

Rate these processors

Average performance in benchmarks

⌀ Single core performance in 3 CPU benchmarks

Intel Core i9-12900KS (100%)

AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX (81%)

⌀ Multi core performance in 4 CPU benchmarks

Intel Core i9-12900KS (100%)

AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX (55%)

Cinebench R23 (Single-Core)

Cinebench R23 is the successor of Cinebench R20 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.


	Intel Core i9-12900KS 16C 24T @ 5.50 GHz	2082 (100%)
	AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX 8C 16T @ 5.00 GHz	1669 (80%)

Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core)

Cinebench R23 is the successor of Cinebench R20 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The multi-core test involves all CPU cores and taks a big advantage of hyperthreading.


	Intel Core i9-12900KS 16C 24T @ 5.20 GHz	27796 (100%)
	AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX 8C 16T @ 4.40 GHz	14711 (53%)

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Geekbench 5 is a cross plattform benchmark that heavily uses the systems memory. A fast memory will push the result a lot. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.


	Intel Core i9-12900KS 16C 24T @ 5.50 GHz	2080 (100%)
	AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX 8C 16T @ 5.00 GHz	1665 (80%)

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Geekbench 5 is a cross plattform benchmark that heavily uses the systems memory. A fast memory will push the result a lot. The multi-core test involves all CPU cores and taks a big advantage of hyperthreading.


	Intel Core i9-12900KS 16C 24T @ 5.20 GHz	19010 (100%)
	AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX 8C 16T @ 4.40 GHz	10645 (56%)

Cinebench R20 (Single-Core)

Cinebench R20 is the successor of Cinebench R15 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.


	Intel Core i9-12900KS 16C 24T @ 5.50 GHz	795 (100%)
	AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX 8C 16T @ 5.00 GHz	649 (82%)

Cinebench R20 (Multi-Core)

Cinebench R20 is the successor of Cinebench R15 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The multi-core test involves all CPU cores and taks a big advantage of hyperthreading.


	Intel Core i9-12900KS 16C 24T @ 5.20 GHz	10744 (100%)
	AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX 8C 16T @ 4.40 GHz	5745 (53%)

iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

The theoretical computing performance of the internal graphics unit of the processor with simple accuracy (32 bit) in GFLOPS. GFLOPS indicates how many billion floating point operations the iGPU can perform per second.


	Intel Core i9-12900KS Intel UHD Graphics 770 @ 1.55 GHz	794 (22%)
	AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX AMD Radeon 680M @ 2.40 GHz	3686 (100%)

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

Some of the CPUs listed below have been benchmarked by CPU-monkey. However the majority of CPUs have not been tested and the results have been estimated by a CPU-monkey’s secret proprietary formula. As such they do not accurately reflect the actual Passmark CPU mark values and are not endorsed by PassMark Software Pty Ltd.


	Intel Core i9-12900KS 16C 24T @ 5.20 GHz	44541 (100%)
	AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX 8C 16T @ 4.40 GHz	25114 (56%)

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Geekbench 6 is a benchmark for modern computers, notebooks and smartphones. What is new is an optimized utilization of newer CPU architectures, e.g. based on the big.LITTLE concept and combining CPU cores of different sizes. The single-core benchmark only evaluates the performance of the fastest CPU core, the number of CPU cores in a processor is irrelevant here.


	Intel Core i9-12900KS 16C 24T @ 5.50 GHz	2831 (100%)
	AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX 8C 16T @ 5.00 GHz	0 (0%)

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Geekbench 6 is a benchmark for modern computers, notebooks and smartphones. What is new is an optimized utilization of newer CPU architectures, e.g. based on the big.LITTLE concept and combining CPU cores of different sizes. The multi-core benchmark evaluates the performance of all of the processor's CPU cores. Virtual thread improvements such as AMD SMT or Intel's Hyper-Threading have a positive impact on the benchmark result.


	Intel Core i9-12900KS 16C 24T @ 5.20 GHz	16455 (100%)
	AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX 8C 16T @ 4.40 GHz	0 (0%)

Blender 3.1 Benchmark

In the Blender Benchmark 3.1, the scenes "monster", "junkshop" and "classroom" are rendered and the time required by the system is measured. In our benchmark we test the CPU and not the graphics card. Blender 3.1 was presented as a standalone version in March 2022.


	Intel Core i9-12900KS 16C 24T @ 5.20 GHz	399 (100%)
	AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX 8C 16T @ 4.40 GHz	0 (0%)

Blender 2.81 (bmw27)

Blender is a free 3D graphics software for rendering (creating) 3D bodies, which can also be textured and animated in the software. The Blender benchmark creates predefined scenes and measures the time (s) required for the entire scene. The shorter the time required, the better. We selected bmw27 as the benchmark scene.


	Intel Core i9-12900KS 16C 24T @ 5.20 GHz	87 (100%)
	AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX 8C 16T @ 4.40 GHz	0 (0%)

Cinebench R15 (Single-Core)

Cinebench R15 is the successor of Cinebench 11.5 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.


	Intel Core i9-12900KS 16C 24T @ 5.50 GHz	294 (100%)
	AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX 8C 16T @ 5.00 GHz	0 (0%)

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

Cinebench R15 is the successor of Cinebench 11.5 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The multi-core test involves all CPU cores and taks a big advantage of hyperthreading.


	Intel Core i9-12900KS 16C 24T @ 5.20 GHz	4140 (100%)
	AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX 8C 16T @ 4.40 GHz	0 (0%)

CPU performance per watt (efficiency)

Efficiency of the processor under full load in the Cinebench R23 (multi-core) benchmark. The benchmark result is divided by the average energy required (CPU package power in watts). The higher the value, the more efficient the CPU is under full load.


	Intel Core i9-12900KS 27,796 CB R23 MC @ 241 W	115 (100%)
	AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX 3.30 GHz	0 (0%)

Devices using this processor
Intel Core i9-12900KS	AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX
Unknown	Unknown


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Intel Core i9-12900KS vs AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX

CPU comparison with benchmarks

CPU comparison

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Internal Graphics

Hardware codec support

Memory & PCIe

Thermal Management

Technical details