PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i9-12900KS

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +25.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD 770, while Ryzen 5 5600X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 58.9 vs 73.1 PassMark/$ ($739 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
❌130.8% higher power demand at 150W vs 65W.

Ryzen 5 5600X

2020

Why buy it

✅Costs $440 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $739 MSRP).
✅Delivers 24.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 73.1 vs 58.9 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $739 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 150W, a 85W reduction.
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-12900KS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (21,845 vs 43,528).
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i9-12900KS moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-12900KS can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i9-12900KS

2022

Ryzen 5 5600X

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +25.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD 770, while Ryzen 5 5600X needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅Costs $440 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $739 MSRP).
✅Delivers 24.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 73.1 vs 58.9 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $739 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 150W, a 85W reduction.
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 58.9 vs 73.1 PassMark/$ ($739 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
❌130.8% higher power demand at 150W vs 65W.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-12900KS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (21,845 vs 43,528).
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i9-12900KS moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-12900KS can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-12900KS better than Ryzen 5 5600X?

Yes. Core i9-12900KS is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 25.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 99.3% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-12900KS is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 25.4% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-12900KS is the better fit. You are getting 99.3% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i9-12900KS is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 5600X makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i9-12900KS is 147.2% more expensive on MSRP at $739 MSRP versus $299 MSRP, and it gives you a 25.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 5600X is also 24.0% better value on MSRP (73.1 vs 58.9 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 5 5600X can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i9-12900KS is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2020), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of AM4, and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 24 threads instead of 6/12. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i9-12900KS Benchmark Check

Ryzen 5 5600X Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i9-12900KS	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	283 FPS	203 FPS
medium	269 FPS	174 FPS
high	225 FPS	140 FPS
ultra	192 FPS	107 FPS
1440p
low	235 FPS	169 FPS
medium	199 FPS	141 FPS
high	162 FPS	113 FPS
ultra	142 FPS	86 FPS
4K
low	158 FPS	85 FPS
medium	134 FPS	76 FPS
high	104 FPS	60 FPS
ultra	91 FPS	47 FPS

Open Core i9-12900KS Open Ryzen 5 5600X

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i9-12900KS	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	716 FPS	464 FPS
medium	603 FPS	387 FPS
high	501 FPS	324 FPS
ultra	443 FPS	291 FPS
1440p
low	617 FPS	397 FPS
medium	541 FPS	334 FPS
high	454 FPS	290 FPS
ultra	380 FPS	253 FPS
4K
low	363 FPS	263 FPS
medium	326 FPS	226 FPS
high	306 FPS	205 FPS
ultra	263 FPS	171 FPS

Open Core i9-12900KS Open Ryzen 5 5600X

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i9-12900KS	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	866 FPS	546 FPS
medium	686 FPS	473 FPS
high	605 FPS	432 FPS
ultra	502 FPS	358 FPS
1440p
low	748 FPS	508 FPS
medium	602 FPS	413 FPS
high	523 FPS	375 FPS
ultra	441 FPS	312 FPS
4K
low	523 FPS	348 FPS
medium	432 FPS	292 FPS
high	392 FPS	255 FPS
ultra	332 FPS	199 FPS

Open Core i9-12900KS Open Ryzen 5 5600X

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i9-12900KS	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	973 FPS	546 FPS
medium	879 FPS	546 FPS
high	763 FPS	546 FPS
ultra	693 FPS	546 FPS
1440p
low	812 FPS	546 FPS
medium	723 FPS	546 FPS
high	626 FPS	546 FPS
ultra	556 FPS	524 FPS
4K
low	555 FPS	529 FPS
medium	502 FPS	484 FPS
high	449 FPS	435 FPS
ultra	396 FPS	379 FPS

Open Core i9-12900KS Open Ryzen 5 5600X

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i9-12900KS and Ryzen 5 5600X

Core i9-12900KS

The Core i9-12900KS is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.3 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 43,528 points. Launch price was $499.

Ryzen 5 5600X

The Ryzen 5 5600X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 21,845 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-12900KS packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-12900KS has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.3 GHz on the Core i9-12900KS versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600X — a 14.1% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900KS (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i9-12900KS uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-12900KS scores 43,528 against the Ryzen 5 5600X's 21,845 — a 66.3% lead for the Core i9-12900KS. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900KS vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Core i9-12900KS	Ryzen 5 5600X
Cores / Threads	16 / 24+167%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	5.3 GHz+15%	4.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz	3.7 GHz+9%
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)	32 MB+7%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+150%	512K (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	43,528+99%	21,845
Cinebench R23 Multi	27,796	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,082	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-12900KS uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i9-12900KS versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600X — the Core i9-12900KS supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i9-12900KS) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600X) — the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: LGA1700 (Core i9-12900KS) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 5 5600X).

Feature	Core i9-12900KS	Ryzen 5 5600X
Socket	LGA1700	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+25%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	24+20%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i9-12900KS supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-12900KS) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600X). The Core i9-12900KS includes integrated graphics (UHD 770), while the Ryzen 5 5600X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600X targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i9-12900KS	Ryzen 5 5600X
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD 770	—
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i9-12900KS launched at $739 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 5600X debuted at $299. On MSRP ($739 vs $299), the Ryzen 5 5600X is $440 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-12900KS delivers 58.9 pts/$ vs 73.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600X — making the Ryzen 5 5600X the 21.5% better value option.