GuidesComparisonsCore i9-12900K vs Ryzen 7-5800X3D

Core i9-12900K vs Ryzen 7-5800X3D [We Tested 11 Games]

We compare the i9-12900K and Ryzen 7-5800X3D in Gaming Benchmarks to test their performance!

AMD has been taking a smart approach to increase the gaming performance of their processors by implementing 3D V-cache, while Intel has been doing something different using their Hybrid Core architecture. This comparison will look at the first attempt of both approaches of these companies, using the Core i9-12900K vs Ryzen 7-5800X3D.

Key Takeaways

  • The i9 12900K and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D averaged around 200 FPS in our gaming tests at 1080p, giving almost the same performance.
  • The power consumption of the Ryzen was around 9% lower than the i9 in the games we tested.
  • Because of the large difference in the MSRP of both processors, the Core i9 12900K stands out to be substantially more expensive than the Ryzen 7 5800X3D. At the time of writing this article, the difference is around $70.
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Comparison Table

CPU NameCore i9-12900KRyzen 7 5800X3D
Core ArchitectureHybrid Core ArchitectureZen 3
SocketFCLGA 1700AM4
Boost Power Draw241WN/A
Integrated GraphicsIntel UHD Graphics 770N/A
Memory SupportDDR4 up to 3200 MHz, DDR5 up to 4800 MHzDDR4 up to 3200 MHz
Launch Price$669$449
Launch DateNovember 4, 2021April 20, 2022
Best MotherboardMotherboards for i9-12900KMotherboards for Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Best CPU CoolersCPU Coolers For Core i9-12900KCPU Coolers For Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Best RAMRAM For i9-12900KRAM For Ryzen 7 5800X3D

Architectural Differences

  1. Processing Nodes: The i9 is based on a 10nm processing node, whereas the Ryzen 7 5800X3D is based on a more modern 7nm processing node.
  2. Core Count: The 5800X3D has 8 cores and 16 threads, whereas the architecture of the 12900K is more complicated, with 8 performance cores and 8 efficiency cores, which add up to a total of 24 threads.
  3.  L3 Cache: The headline feature of the 5800X3D is its 3D-V Cache, which vertically stacks the L3 cache on this processor, giving it a capacity of 96MB, while the i9 12900K has an L3 cache size of 30MB.
  4. Memory Support: The i9 has support for both DDR5 and DDR4 memory, whereas you can only use DDR4 memory on the 5800X3D.
  5. TDPThe Ryzen has a base power draw of 105 watts, whereas the 12900K draws around 125 watts.

Gaming Performance

The best way to measure the performance of the Core i9-12900K vs Ryzen 7 5800X3D is to pin them head-to-head in real-world gaming scenarios. To accomplish this, we have set up the test bench mentioned below.

Test Rig

Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 @1080p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • For the first game of our tests, the Ryzen outperformed the i9 by a significant margin, putting out an average framerate of 167 FPS, while the i9 could only do 162 FPS on average.
  • The 1% lows were much further apart, with the i9 dipping down to around 97 FPS, while the Ryzen was more stable with 114 FPS.

Hitman 3

Hitman 3
Hitman 3 @1080p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • The roles were reversed in our test of Hitman 3, with the 5800X3D pumping out 216 FPS on average, while the i9 gave an average performance of around 222 FPS.
  • The 1% lows still remained significantly superior on the 58000X3D, with the chip giving a minimum of 161 FPS, while the i9 hung around closer to 145 FPS.

Player’s Unknown Battlegrounds (PUBG)

Player Unknown's Battlegrounds
Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds @1080p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • The victory in average framerates came back to the Ryzen in our test of PUBG, with the framerate plateauing around 234 FPS, while the 12900K had a slightly lower average of around 228 FPS.
  • The lows were surprisingly better on the 12900K in this test, going down to around 136 FPS, while the Ryzen had a minimum of around 124 FPS.

Horizon Zero Dawn

Horizon Zero Dawn
Horizon Zero Dawn @1080p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  •  The difference between these two processors diminished in our test of Horizon Zero Dawn, with the i9 churning out an average of 197 FPS, while the Ryzen was a hair ahead with a framerate of 198 FPS.
  • The minimum framerates were much better on the i9 in this game. The chip went down to around 159 FPS, while the Ryzen went all the way down to around 120 FPS.

Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 @1080p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • When we ran Cyberpunk 2077 on both systems, it ran much better on the i9, with an average of around 162 FPS. The 3D V-cache of the Ryzen didn’t help out in this title, where the chip had an average framerate of 140 FPS.
  • The 1% lows followed the same vein, with 110 FPS for the i9, while the Ryzen 7 had lows of around 85 FPS.

Witcher 3

Witcher 3
Witcher 3 @1080p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • The average framerate was a bit higher on the Ryzen in our test of The Witcher 3, averaging a framerate of around 228 FPS, while the i9 had an average framerate approaching 225 FPS.
  • The 1% lows were a world apart between these two processors, with the 12900K going down to around 131 FPS, while the Ryzen 7 had minimums closer to 168 FPS.

Death Stranding

Death Stranding Performance
Death Stranding @1080p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • Death Stranding ran much better on the Ryzen, averaging a framerate close to 225 FPS, while the 12900K had an average framerate of around 207 FPS.
  • The 1% lows were also better on the Ryzen, around 200 FPS, while the i9 was approaching 192 FPS as its lows.

Microsoft Flight Simulator

Microsoft Flight Simulator
Microsoft Flight Simulator @1080p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • Average framerates were almost equivalent in our test of Microsoft Flight Simulator, with the i9 getting an average framerate of 132 FPS, while the Ryzen 7 had an average framerate of around 131 FPS.
  • The 1% lows were better on the Ryzen for this game, around 106 FPS, while the 12900K had a minimum framerate closer to 95 FPS.

Forza Horizon 5

Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5 @1080p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • Our test of Forza Horizon 5 favored the 12900K in average framerates. It had an output of 275 FPS, while the Ryzen had an average framerate of around 263 FPS.
  • The 1% lows were equivalent on both processors, around 211 FPS.

Days Gone

Days Gone
Days Gone @1080p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • Finally, running Days Gone on both setups put the Ryzen slightly lower on the performance scale, with its output of 188 FPS on average, while the 12900K pumped out around 193 FPS on average.
  • The 1% lows were significantly better on the i9, hanging around 114 FPS, while the Ryzen gave a minimum performance of around 97 FPS.

Overall Performance

Average FPS Performance
Average FPS @1080p (Image By Tech4Gamers)

The framerates of these processors were extremely similar on average, being around 199 FPS for the Ryzen and 200 FPS on average for the i9 during our gaming tests.

This does not mean that both processors perform equivalently in all games. Instead, the number of games that the Ryzen excels at is close to the number of games the i9 excels at, equivalizing the two.

Power Consumption

Core i9 12900K (W)Ryzen 7 5800X3D (W)
Red Dead Redemption 210897
Hitman 39594
PUBG6275
Horizon Zero Dawn111104
Cyberpunk 2077139103
The Witcher 38682
Death Stranding131106
MS Flight Sim 20205971
Forza Horizon 58583
Days Gone8785

On average, the i9 12900K had a power consumption of 98 watts, which is higher than the 90 watts of power that the Ryzen consumed. Though higher, the power consumption difference is not drastic enough to influence your purchasing decision.

Price And Availability

The current price of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D is around $322, while it can be had for around $389. The price gap between these processors is decently large, making the 5800X3D a notably cheaper option than its rival.

As for availability, both processors can be found all around the world in used retailers and computer part stores without a hitch.

What We Recommend

The almost equivalent performance of these two processors might lead you to believe that the cheaper one is better, but that is not exactly the case.

The Core i9 12900K has an advantage over the Ryzen 7 5800X3D in terms of its large core count, allowing it to excel in more facets of performance than the Ryzen processor. This means that if you use any hard-to-run productivity software in addition to gaming, the 12900K will give you a better time.

In opposition, the value proposition of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D is matched by no other. If you want a cheap processor that punches above its weight class, get the Ryzen 7 5800X3D.

Pros And Cons

Intel Core i9 12900KAMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
ProsConsProsCons
The high core count allows for great multi-threaded performanceRelatively high power consumption

Higher price
Great performance in its tier

Low power consumption
Relatively low muti-threaded performance

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Ryzen 7 5800X3D a viable processor to get in 2024?

Unless you have a very high-end graphics card, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D should provide ample performance for gaming.

What motherboard should I use with the Ryezn 7 5800X3D?

The great thing about Ryzen processors is that all processors from Zen 1 to Zen 3 use the same socket, allowing you to use any AM4 motherboard with these processors.

What socket does the i9 12900K use?

The Core i9 12900K uses the LGA 1700 socket, which has also been used with the 14th and 13th gen Intel processors.


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