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 i9-12900

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $30 less on MSRP ($519 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Ryzen 9 5900 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 5900 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (33,695 vs 33,912).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 64 MB).

Ryzen 9 5900

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+113.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 30 MB).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
5.8% HIGHER MSRP
$549 MSRPvs$519 MSRP
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i9-12900 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-12900 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i9-12900

2022

Ryzen 9 5900

2021

Why buy it

✅Costs $30 less on MSRP ($519 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Ryzen 9 5900 needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+113.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 30 MB).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 5900 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (33,695 vs 33,912).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 64 MB).

Trade-offs

❌
5.8% HIGHER MSRP
$549 MSRPvs$519 MSRP
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i9-12900 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-12900 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 5900 better than Core i9-12900?

Yes. Ryzen 9 5900 is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.6% better PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 9 5900 is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 4.3% 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, Ryzen 9 5900 is the better fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 113.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 30 MB).

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

Ryzen 9 5900 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i9-12900 makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Ryzen 9 5900 is 5.8% more expensive on MSRP at $549 MSRP versus $519 MSRP, and it gives you a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i9-12900 is also 5.1% better value on MSRP (64.9 vs 61.8 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1700 + DDR5 setup, Core i9-12900 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 i9-12900 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2021) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of AM4. 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 i9-12900 Benchmark Check

Ryzen 9 5900 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i9-12900	Ryzen 9 5900
1080p
low	269 FPS	164 FPS
medium	259 FPS	135 FPS
high	214 FPS	117 FPS
ultra	184 FPS	98 FPS
1440p
low	230 FPS	150 FPS
medium	198 FPS	120 FPS
high	159 FPS	99 FPS
ultra	140 FPS	83 FPS
4K
low	159 FPS	84 FPS
medium	136 FPS	72 FPS
high	106 FPS	58 FPS
ultra	93 FPS	47 FPS

Open Core i9-12900 Open Ryzen 9 5900

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i9-12900	Ryzen 9 5900
1080p
low	617 FPS	734 FPS
medium	526 FPS	625 FPS
high	441 FPS	495 FPS
ultra	399 FPS	437 FPS
1440p
low	533 FPS	608 FPS
medium	470 FPS	529 FPS
high	397 FPS	440 FPS
ultra	340 FPS	361 FPS
4K
low	311 FPS	358 FPS
medium	281 FPS	314 FPS
high	266 FPS	286 FPS
ultra	232 FPS	253 FPS

Open Core i9-12900 Open Ryzen 9 5900

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i9-12900	Ryzen 9 5900
1080p
low	775 FPS	805 FPS
medium	619 FPS	627 FPS
high	545 FPS	543 FPS
ultra	462 FPS	449 FPS
1440p
low	692 FPS	690 FPS
medium	560 FPS	543 FPS
high	487 FPS	469 FPS
ultra	416 FPS	393 FPS
4K
low	498 FPS	490 FPS
medium	418 FPS	404 FPS
high	378 FPS	359 FPS
ultra	319 FPS	296 FPS

Open Core i9-12900 Open Ryzen 9 5900

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i9-12900	Ryzen 9 5900
1080p
low	842 FPS	848 FPS
medium	809 FPS	848 FPS
high	696 FPS	836 FPS
ultra	626 FPS	744 FPS
1440p
low	765 FPS	848 FPS
medium	681 FPS	760 FPS
high	586 FPS	665 FPS
ultra	517 FPS	570 FPS
4K
low	524 FPS	626 FPS
medium	475 FPS	559 FPS
high	423 FPS	494 FPS
ultra	369 FPS	426 FPS

Open Core i9-12900 Open Ryzen 9 5900

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i9-12900 and Ryzen 9 5900

Core i9-12900

The Core i9-12900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 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): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 33,695 points. Launch price was $489.

Ryzen 9 5900

The Ryzen 9 5900 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 12 January 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 33,912 points. Launch price was $499.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-12900 packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Ryzen 9 5900 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Core i9-12900 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-12900 versus 4.7 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900 — a 8.2% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i9-12900 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 9 5900 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-12900 scores 33,695 against the Ryzen 9 5900's 33,912 — a 0.6% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900 vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 5900.

Feature	Core i9-12900	Ryzen 9 5900
Cores / Threads	16 / 24+33%	12 / 24
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+9%	4.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	3 GHz+25%
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)	64 MB+113%
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 (2020−2025)
PassMark	33,695	33,912

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-12900 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 9 5900 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 4800 on the Core i9-12900 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 9 5900 — the Core i9-12900 supports 199.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i9-12900) vs 24 (Ryzen 9 5900) — the Ryzen 9 5900 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i9-12900	Ryzen 9 5900
Socket	LGA1700	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	4800+119900%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128	128 GB+104857500%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	24+20%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 9 5900 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-12900) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 9 5900). The Core i9-12900 includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Ryzen 9 5900 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 9 5900 targets OEM Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i9-12900 rivals Ryzen 9 5900.

Feature	Core i9-12900	Ryzen 9 5900
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	—	OEM Gaming

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i9-12900 launched at $519 MSRP, while the Ryzen 9 5900 debuted at $549. On MSRP ($519 vs $549), the Core i9-12900 is $30 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-12900 delivers 64.9 pts/$ vs 61.8 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 5900 — making the Core i9-12900 the 5% better value option.