Core i9-12900K vs Ryzen 9 7900: specs and benchmark comparison
AIntel · Alder Lake
Intel Core i9-12900K
- 16 cores / 24 threads
- up to 5.2 GHz
- LGA1700
2021 · $589 at launch
Short verdict
AMD Ryzen 9 7900 leads in every scenario with comparable benchmarks: multi-thread performance. This does not imply an advantage in tasks without benchmarks.
Compare with AIMulti-thread performance
B +24.3%AMD Ryzen 9 7900 leads in this scenario (up to 24.3% in comparable benchmarks).
No comparable benchmarks yet: single-thread performance, gaming (cpu-bound scenarios), power efficiency.
Advantages
Only measured and rated values: a noticeable benchmark gap and specs where more is better.
Where Core i9-12900K is better2
Cores 4 more16 (8P + 8E) vs 12
L2 cache 2 MB more14 MB vs 12 MB
Where Ryzen 9 7900 is better4
Blender Benchmark 4.5.0 15.4% faster411 samples/min vs 356 samples/min
L3 cache 34 MB more64 MB vs 30 MB
Official memory speed 400 MT/s more5,200 MT/s vs 4,800 MT/s
Launch price $160 lower$429 vs $589
Benchmarks
Results are compared within one benchmark, one version and the same conditions.
- B ahead by 15.4%
Blender Benchmark 4.5.0
CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom · samples/min, higher is better
Core i9-12900K356.2 samples/minRyzen 9 7900411.1 samples/minPosition among tested models (89)
A · 356B · 4110200400600800Each dot is one model’s median in this benchmark. The scale starts at zero, samples/min. AMD Ryzen 9 7900 is ahead by 15.4% in this benchmark.
About the measurement and source
- A · Intel Core i9-12900K
356.2 samples/min · community measurement, sample 65 · November 14, 2026
Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation)
Median of 65 submissions (3 outliers excluded), interquartile range 339–381.03; submissions 2025-07-24 to 2026-03-10; CPU backend. Snapshot 2026-11-14.
- B · AMD Ryzen 9 7900
411.1 samples/min · community measurement, sample 143 · November 14, 2026
Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation)
Median of 143 submissions (0 outliers excluded), interquartile range 370.5–435.48; submissions 2025-07-17 to 2026-02-24; CPU backend. Snapshot 2026-11-14.
difference = |A − B| ÷ the smaller value × 100%. The 5% noticeable threshold is a UX heuristic, not statistical significance.
Cycles render in Blender Benchmark. Median of the sum of samples per minute over three scenes after removing outliers.
Other comparable benchmarks (8)
| Benchmark | A | B | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blender Benchmark 4.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 349.6 | 371.7 | B +6.3% |
| Blender Benchmark 3.4.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 370 | 385.3 | B +4.1% |
| Blender Benchmark 3.5.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 361 | 371.6 | B +2.9% |
| Blender Benchmark 3.6.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 345.6 | 401.6 | B +16.2% |
| Blender Benchmark 4.0.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 346.7 | 430.8 | B +24.3% |
| Blender Benchmark 4.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 342.2 | 374.8 | B +9.5% |
| Blender Benchmark 4.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 331.4 | 393.3 | B +18.7% |
| Blender Benchmark 4.4.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 334.6 | 379 | B +13.3% |
Each benchmark version has its own scale: numbers are compared only within a row.
Reference results (10)
| Benchmark | A | B | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blender Benchmark 5.1.1CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 375.6 | 402.1 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 341.3 | 421.4 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.0.1CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 390.1 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 3.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 368 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 3.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 362.5 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 3.2.1CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 373.7 | 454.8 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 392.4 | 450.3 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.0.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 346.9 | 336.9 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 364.6 | 407.8 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 364.4 | — | no pair |
Each benchmark version has its own scale: numbers are compared only within a row.
Specifications
| Specification | A · Core i9-12900K | B · Ryzen 9 7900 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cores and clocks | |||
| CoresCores of different types may differ in performance. | 16 (8P + 8E) | 12 | A: 4 more |
| Threads | 24 | 24 | equal |
| Base clockFor hybrid Intel CPUs, the P-core base clock is shown. | 3.2 GHz | 3.7 GHz | B: 0.5 GHz more |
| Max clock (Boost/Turbo) | 5.2 GHz | 5.4 GHz | B: 0.2 GHz more |
| Unlocked multiplier | no data | yes | no data for A |
| Cache | |||
| L1 cache | no data | 768 KB | no data for A |
| L2 cache | 14 MB | 12 MB | A: 2 MB more |
| L3 cache | 30 MB | 64 MB | B: 34 MB more |
| Platform | |||
| Socket | LGA1700 | AM5 | differs |
| Process node | Intel 7 | TSMC 5 nm FinFET | differs |
| Memory and interfaces | |||
| Memory type | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 | differs |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 | equal |
| Official memory speedFor controllers that support two generations, the speed for the newer memory type is shown. | 4,800 MT/s | 5,200 MT/s | B: 400 MT/s more |
| Max memory capacity | 128 GB | 128 GB | equal |
| PCI Express | PCIe 5.0 and 4.0, 20 lanes | PCIe 5.0, 24 lanes | differs |
| Integrated graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 770 | AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU) | differs |
| Power | |||
| TDP (AMD method)AMD TDP, AMD PPT, Intel Base Power (PL1) and Max Turbo Power (PL2) are different metrics and are not compared with each other. For laptop CPUs, the laptop maker configures the TDP. | no data | 65 W | no data for A |
| Processor Base Power (Intel) | 125 W | no data | no data for B |
| Maximum Turbo Power (Intel) | 241 W | no data | no data for B |
Cores and clocks
Cores
A16 (8P + 8E)
B12
A: 4 moreCores of different types may differ in performance.
Threads
A24
B24
equalBase clock
A3.2 GHz
B3.7 GHz
B: 0.5 GHz moreFor hybrid Intel CPUs, the P-core base clock is shown.
Max clock (Boost/Turbo)
A5.2 GHz
B5.4 GHz
B: 0.2 GHz moreUnlocked multiplier
Ano data
Byes
no data for A
Cache
L1 cache
Ano data
B768 KB
no data for AL2 cache
A14 MB
B12 MB
A: 2 MB moreL3 cache
A30 MB
B64 MB
B: 34 MB more
Platform
Socket
ALGA1700
BAM5
differsProcess node
AIntel 7
BTSMC 5 nm FinFET
differs
Memory and interfaces
Memory type
ADDR4, DDR5
BDDR5
differsMemory channels
A2
B2
equalOfficial memory speed
A4,800 MT/s
B5,200 MT/s
B: 400 MT/s moreFor controllers that support two generations, the speed for the newer memory type is shown.
Max memory capacity
A128 GB
B128 GB
equalPCI Express
APCIe 5.0 and 4.0, 20 lanes
BPCIe 5.0, 24 lanes
differsIntegrated graphics
AIntel UHD Graphics 770
BAMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU)
differs
Power
TDP (AMD method)
Ano data
B65 W
no data for AAMD TDP, AMD PPT, Intel Base Power (PL1) and Max Turbo Power (PL2) are different metrics and are not compared with each other. For laptop CPUs, the laptop maker configures the TDP.
Processor Base Power (Intel)
A125 W
Bno data
no data for BMaximum Turbo Power (Intel)
A241 W
Bno data
no data for B
“More” does not always mean “better”: higher power draw or size is a system requirement, not an advantage (such bars are dimmed).
Platform compatibility
Socket Incompatible
Intel Core i9-12900K uses LGA1700, AMD Ryzen 9 7900 uses AM5. The CPUs are not interchangeable: switching requires a different motherboard.
Memory Needs checking
Both controllers support DDR5. The motherboard determines the memory type, so check its specification.
Compare with AI
An AI model reviews the specs and benchmarks of this pair and gives a plain-language verdict on who each model suits.
Questions and answers
Do Intel Core i9-12900K and AMD Ryzen 9 7900 fit the same motherboard?
No: Intel Core i9-12900K uses LGA1700, while AMD Ryzen 9 7900 uses AM5.
How many cores and threads do Intel Core i9-12900K and AMD Ryzen 9 7900 have?
Intel Core i9-12900K: 16 cores / 24 threads. AMD Ryzen 9 7900: 12 cores / 24 threads (manufacturer data).
Do these CPUs have integrated graphics?
Intel Core i9-12900K: Intel UHD Graphics 770. AMD Ryzen 9 7900: AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU).
Which is faster: Intel Core i9-12900K or AMD Ryzen 9 7900?
AMD Ryzen 9 7900 leads in every scenario with comparable benchmarks: multi-thread performance. This does not imply an advantage in tasks without benchmarks.
See also
Data sources (4)
- Intel — specifications of Intel Core i9-12900Kchecked November 7, 2026
- AMD — specifications of AMD Ryzen 9 7900checked November 7, 2026
- Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation) — benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.5.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.1.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.2.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.3.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.4.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.5.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.6.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.0.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.3.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.4.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.0.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.0.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.3.0checked November 14, 2026
- Wikipedia (English) — release date and launch pricechecked November 14, 2026
How we compare: methodology. Where the data comes from: sources.