AMD Ryzen 9 5900X vs Intel Core i7-12700K

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is the faster processor, scoring 70/100 on our gaming benchmark versus 68/100 for the Intel Core i7-12700K — roughly 3% faster. That said, the gap is small, so the cheaper option is often the smarter buy.

Winner

AMD Ryzen 9 5900X

70
Gaming score / 100
Check AMD Ryzen 9 5900X price

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Intel

Intel Core i7-12700K

68
Gaming score / 100
Check Intel Core i7-12700K price

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Specs compared

SpecAMD Ryzen 9 5900XIntel Core i7-12700K
Gaming score70/10068/100
Cores / Threads12 / 2412 / 20
Boost clock4.80 GHz5.00 GHz
TDP105 W125 W
SocketAM4LGA1700
MSRP$279.00$299.00

AMD Ryzen 9 5900X vs Intel Core i7-12700K: which should you buy?

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is the faster processor, scoring 70/100 on our gaming benchmark versus 68/100 for the Intel Core i7-12700K — roughly 3% faster. That said, the gap is small, so the cheaper option is often the smarter buy. For your specific games and resolution, run both through our comparison tool, check pairing with the bottleneck calculator, or see where each lands on the tier list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X better than the Intel Core i7-12700K?
The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is faster for gaming, scoring 70/100 versus 68/100 for the Intel Core i7-12700K (about 3% faster).

Should I buy the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X or the Intel Core i7-12700K?
For raw gaming performance, choose the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X. If it costs notably more for only a small gain, the Intel Core i7-12700K can be the better value. Check current prices before deciding.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.