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 i7-12700K

2021

Why buy it

✅Costs $90 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 9900X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (34,347 vs 54,530).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 84.0 vs 109.3 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).

Ryzen 9 9900X

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+156% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Delivers 30.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 109.3 vs 84.0 PassMark/$ ($499 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
✅Draws 120W instead of 125W, a 5W reduction.
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
22% HIGHER MSRP
$499 MSRPvs$409 MSRP

Core i7-12700K

2021

Ryzen 9 9900X

2024

Why buy it

✅Costs $90 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+156% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Delivers 30.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 109.3 vs 84.0 PassMark/$ ($499 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
✅Draws 120W instead of 125W, a 5W reduction.
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 9900X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (34,347 vs 54,530).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 84.0 vs 109.3 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌
22% HIGHER MSRP
$499 MSRPvs$409 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 9900X better than Core i7-12700K?

Yes. Ryzen 9 9900X is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 7.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 58.8% 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, Ryzen 9 9900X is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 7.5% 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 9900X is the better fit. You are getting 58.8% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 156% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 25 MB).

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

Ryzen 9 9900X is the smarter buy today. Ryzen 9 9900X is 22.0% more expensive on MSRP at $499 MSRP versus $409 MSRP, and it gives you a 7.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 30.1% better value on MSRP (109.3 vs 84.0 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1700 + DDR5 setup, Core i7-12700K 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?

Ryzen 9 9900X is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2021), 156% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 25 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 threads instead of 12/20. 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 i7-12700K Benchmark Check

Ryzen 9 9900X Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Ryzen 9 9900X
1080p
low	314 FPS	287 FPS
medium	295 FPS	259 FPS
high	246 FPS	218 FPS
ultra	193 FPS	190 FPS
1440p
low	269 FPS	270 FPS
medium	225 FPS	218 FPS
high	182 FPS	170 FPS
ultra	145 FPS	152 FPS
4K
low	170 FPS	186 FPS
medium	142 FPS	151 FPS
high	109 FPS	112 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	100 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Ryzen 9 9900X

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Ryzen 9 9900X
1080p
low	630 FPS	772 FPS
medium	533 FPS	625 FPS
high	450 FPS	467 FPS
ultra	410 FPS	393 FPS
1440p
low	536 FPS	635 FPS
medium	475 FPS	534 FPS
high	403 FPS	412 FPS
ultra	349 FPS	321 FPS
4K
low	312 FPS	356 FPS
medium	280 FPS	303 FPS
high	266 FPS	266 FPS
ultra	234 FPS	224 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Ryzen 9 9900X

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Ryzen 9 9900X
1080p
low	797 FPS	899 FPS
medium	633 FPS	711 FPS
high	556 FPS	618 FPS
ultra	472 FPS	526 FPS
1440p
low	704 FPS	726 FPS
medium	565 FPS	577 FPS
high	490 FPS	492 FPS
ultra	422 FPS	418 FPS
4K
low	510 FPS	517 FPS
medium	425 FPS	432 FPS
high	381 FPS	388 FPS
ultra	321 FPS	322 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Ryzen 9 9900X

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Ryzen 9 9900X
1080p
low	859 FPS	1126 FPS
medium	802 FPS	989 FPS
high	699 FPS	862 FPS
ultra	628 FPS	766 FPS
1440p
low	760 FPS	891 FPS
medium	678 FPS	774 FPS
high	590 FPS	677 FPS
ultra	519 FPS	580 FPS
4K
low	535 FPS	644 FPS
medium	488 FPS	569 FPS
high	437 FPS	502 FPS
ultra	384 FPS	433 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Ryzen 9 9900X

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-12700K and Ryzen 9 9900X

Core i7-12700K

The Core i7-12700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 November 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture. It features 12 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 34,347 points. Launch price was $409.

Ryzen 9 9900X

The Ryzen 9 9900X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 15 August 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Granite Ridge (2024−2025) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 4.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.6 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 54,530 points. Launch price was $499.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-12700K packs 12 cores / 20 threads, matching the Ryzen 9 9900X's 12 cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i7-12700K versus 5.6 GHz on the Ryzen 9 9900X — a 11.3% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 9900X (base: 3.6 GHz vs 4.4 GHz). The Core i7-12700K uses the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Ryzen 9 9900X uses Granite Ridge (2024−2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-12700K scores 34,347 against the Ryzen 9 9900X's 54,530 — a 45.4% lead for the Ryzen 9 9900X. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700K vs 64 MB (total) on the Ryzen 9 9900X.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Ryzen 9 9900X
Cores / Threads	12 / 20	12 / 24
Boost Clock	5 GHz	5.6 GHz+12%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz	4.4 GHz+22%
L3 Cache	25 MB (total)	64 MB (total)+156%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+25%	1 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm	4 nm-60%
Architecture	Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)	Granite Ridge (2024−2025)
PassMark	34,347	54,530+59%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	33,003
Geekbench 6 Single	—	3,401
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	19,756

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-12700K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 9 9900X uses AM5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 4800 on the Core i7-12700K versus DDR5-5600 on the Ryzen 9 9900X — the Core i7-12700K supports 199.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 9 9900X supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 128 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-12700K) vs 24 (Ryzen 9 9900X) — the Ryzen 9 9900X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z690,B660 (Core i7-12700K) and A620,B650,X670,X870 (Ryzen 9 9900X).

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Ryzen 9 9900X
Socket	LGA1700	AM5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	4800+95900%	DDR5-5600
Max RAM Capacity	128	256 GB+209715100%
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 Ryzen 9 9900X supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-12700K) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 9 9900X). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i7-12700K) and Radeon 610M (Ryzen 9 9900X) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-12700K rivals Ryzen 7 5800X.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Ryzen 9 9900X
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	Radeon 610M
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-12700K launched at $409 MSRP, while the Ryzen 9 9900X debuted at $499. On MSRP ($409 vs $499), the Core i7-12700K is $90 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-12700K delivers 84.0 pts/$ vs 109.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 9900X — making the Ryzen 9 9900X the 26.2% better value option.