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: +7.1% 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 9 5900XT needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 58.9 vs 126.4 PassMark/$ ($739 MSRP vs $349 MSRP).
❌42.9% higher power demand at 150W vs 105W.

Ryzen 9 5900XT

2024

Why buy it

✅+113.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 30 MB).
✅Costs $390 less on MSRP ($349 MSRP vs $739 MSRP).
✅Delivers 114.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 126.4 vs 58.9 PassMark/$ ($349 MSRP vs $739 MSRP).
✅Draws 105W instead of 150W, a 45W 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 Cinebench R23 multi-core (22,000 vs 27,796).
❌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 9 5900XT

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.1% 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 9 5900XT needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅+113.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 30 MB).
✅Costs $390 less on MSRP ($349 MSRP vs $739 MSRP).
✅Delivers 114.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 126.4 vs 58.9 PassMark/$ ($349 MSRP vs $739 MSRP).
✅Draws 105W instead of 150W, a 45W reduction.
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 58.9 vs 126.4 PassMark/$ ($739 MSRP vs $349 MSRP).
❌42.9% higher power demand at 150W vs 105W.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-12900KS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (22,000 vs 27,796).
❌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 9 5900XT?

Yes. Core i9-12900KS is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 7.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 26.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 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 7.1% 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 26.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 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 9 5900XT makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i9-12900KS is 111.7% more expensive on MSRP at $739 MSRP versus $349 MSRP, and it gives you a 7.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 9 5900XT is also 114.6% better value on MSRP (126.4 vs 58.9 PassMark/$), 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 9 5900XT 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 healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of AM4 and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 24 threads instead of 16/32. 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 9 5900XT Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i9-12900KS	Ryzen 9 5900XT
1080p
low	283 FPS	285 FPS
medium	269 FPS	260 FPS
high	225 FPS	214 FPS
ultra	192 FPS	181 FPS
1440p
low	235 FPS	261 FPS
medium	199 FPS	216 FPS
high	162 FPS	167 FPS
ultra	142 FPS	148 FPS
4K
low	158 FPS	181 FPS
medium	134 FPS	150 FPS
high	104 FPS	115 FPS
ultra	91 FPS	102 FPS

Open Core i9-12900KS Open Ryzen 9 5900XT

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i9-12900KS	Ryzen 9 5900XT
1080p
low	716 FPS	667 FPS
medium	603 FPS	573 FPS
high	501 FPS	456 FPS
ultra	443 FPS	402 FPS
1440p
low	617 FPS	538 FPS
medium	541 FPS	475 FPS
high	454 FPS	398 FPS
ultra	380 FPS	325 FPS
4K
low	363 FPS	316 FPS
medium	326 FPS	280 FPS
high	306 FPS	257 FPS
ultra	263 FPS	228 FPS

Open Core i9-12900KS Open Ryzen 9 5900XT

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i9-12900KS	Ryzen 9 5900XT
1080p
low	866 FPS	839 FPS
medium	686 FPS	667 FPS
high	605 FPS	594 FPS
ultra	502 FPS	504 FPS
1440p
low	748 FPS	665 FPS
medium	602 FPS	527 FPS
high	523 FPS	458 FPS
ultra	441 FPS	386 FPS
4K
low	523 FPS	474 FPS
medium	432 FPS	392 FPS
high	392 FPS	349 FPS
ultra	332 FPS	290 FPS

Open Core i9-12900KS Open Ryzen 9 5900XT

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i9-12900KS	Ryzen 9 5900XT
1080p
low	973 FPS	1073 FPS
medium	879 FPS	972 FPS
high	763 FPS	850 FPS
ultra	693 FPS	766 FPS
1440p
low	812 FPS	846 FPS
medium	723 FPS	751 FPS
high	626 FPS	657 FPS
ultra	556 FPS	570 FPS
4K
low	555 FPS	622 FPS
medium	502 FPS	556 FPS
high	449 FPS	491 FPS
ultra	396 FPS	425 FPS

Open Core i9-12900KS Open Ryzen 9 5900XT

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

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

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 9 5900XT

The Ryzen 9 5900XT is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 31 July 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 44,105 points. Launch price was $349.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-12900KS packs 16 cores / 24 threads, matching the Ryzen 9 5900XT's 16 cores. Boost clocks reach 5.3 GHz on the Core i9-12900KS versus 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900XT — a 9.9% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900KS (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i9-12900KS uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 9 5900XT uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-12900KS scores 43,528 against the Ryzen 9 5900XT's 44,105 — a 1.3% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900XT. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 27,796 vs 22,000 (23.3% advantage for the Core i9-12900KS). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,082 vs 2,320, a 10.8% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900XT that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900KS vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 5900XT.

Feature	Core i9-12900KS	Ryzen 9 5900XT
Cores / Threads	16 / 24	16 / 32
Boost Clock	5.3 GHz+10%	4.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+3%	3.3 GHz
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)	64 MB+113%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+150%	512 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	7 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Vermeer (2020−2025)
PassMark	43,528	44,105+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	27,796+26%	22,000
Geekbench 6 Single	2,082	2,320+11%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	14,000

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-12900KS uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 9 5900XT 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 9 5900XT — 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 9 5900XT) — the Ryzen 9 5900XT offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: LGA1700 (Core i9-12900KS) and X570,B550,A520,X470,B450 (Ryzen 9 5900XT).

Feature	Core i9-12900KS	Ryzen 9 5900XT
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 9 5900XT). The Core i9-12900KS includes integrated graphics (UHD 770), while the Ryzen 9 5900XT requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 9 5900XT targets High End Desktop.

Feature	Core i9-12900KS	Ryzen 9 5900XT
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD 770	—
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	—	High End Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i9-12900KS launched at $739 MSRP, while the Ryzen 9 5900XT debuted at $349. On MSRP ($739 vs $349), the Ryzen 9 5900XT is $390 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-12900KS delivers 58.9 pts/$ vs 126.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 5900XT — making the Ryzen 9 5900XT the 72.8% better value option.