Core i9-12900E vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D

Intel

Core i9-12900E

16 Cores24 Thrd65 WWMax: 5 GHz2022
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 7800X3D

8 Cores16 Thrd120 WWMax: 5 GHz2023
Ryzen family
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Core i9-12900E vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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.

Core i9-12900E vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i9-12900E vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i9-12900E

2022

Why buy it

  • Draws 65W instead of 120W, a 55W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 7800X3D across 39 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (13,420 vs 18,500).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 56.3 vs 76.4 PassMark/$ ($500 MSRP vs $449 MSRP).

Ryzen 7 7800X3D

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +14.6% higher average FPS across 39 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $51 less on MSRP ($449 MSRP vs $500 MSRP).
  • Delivers 35.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 76.4 vs 56.3 PassMark/$ ($449 MSRP vs $500 MSRP).
  • 40% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • 84.6% higher power demand at 120W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 7800X3D better than Core i9-12900E?
Yes. Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 14.6% average FPS lead across 39 shared CPU game tests in our data, 37.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 21.7% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 14.6% more average FPS across 39 shared CPU game tests. It also has a clear cache advantage at 96 MB versus 30 MB.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the stronger fit. You are getting 37.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 220% larger total L3 cache (96 MB vs 30 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 7800X3D comes in $51 cheaper on MSRP at $449 MSRP versus $500 MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.6% average FPS lead across 39 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 35.6% better value on MSRP (76.4 vs 56.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1700 + DDR5 setup, Core i9-12900E 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 7 7800X3D makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022), 3D V-Cache and a much larger 96 MB L3 cache instead of 30 MB, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 16/24. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-12900E vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Intel

Core i9-12900E

The Core i9-12900E 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 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 28,170 points. Launch price was $299.

AMD

Ryzen 7 7800X3D

The Ryzen 7 7800X3D is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4.4 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 96 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200. Passmark benchmark score: 34,293 points. Launch price was $449.

Processing Power

The Core i9-12900E packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i9-12900E has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-12900E versus 5 GHz on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.3 GHz vs 4.4 GHz). The Core i9-12900E uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (10 nm), while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D uses Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-12900E scores 28,170 against the Ryzen 7 7800X3D's 34,293 — a 19.6% lead for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 13,420 vs 18,500 (31.8% advantage for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D). Multi-core Geekbench: 13,107 vs 15,000 (13.5% advantage for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D). L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900E vs 96 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D.

FeatureCore i9-12900ERyzen 7 7800X3D
Cores / Threads
16 / 24+100%
8 / 16
Boost Clock
5 GHz
5 GHz
Base Clock
2.3 GHz
4.4 GHz+91%
L3 Cache
30 MB (total)
96 MB (total)+220%
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)+25%
1 MB (per core)
Process
10 nm
5 nm-50%
Architecture
Alder Lake-S (2022)
Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023)
PassMark
28,170
34,293+22%
Cinebench R23 Multi
13,420
18,500+38%
Geekbench 6 Single
2,700
Geekbench 6 Multi
13,107
15,000+14%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-12900E uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D uses AM5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i9-12900E versus DDR5-5200 on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D — the Ryzen 7 7800X3D supports 8.3% 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 i9-12900E) vs 28 (Ryzen 7 7800X3D) — the Ryzen 7 7800X3D offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: LGA1700 (Core i9-12900E) and X670E,X670,B650E,B650,A620 (Ryzen 7 7800X3D).

FeatureCore i9-12900ERyzen 7 7800X3D
Socket
LGA1700
AM5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0
PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800
DDR5-5200+8%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
28+40%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 7 7800X3D has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-12900E) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 7 7800X3D). Both include integrated graphics UHD Graphics 770 (Core i9-12900E) and AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core) (Ryzen 7 7800X3D) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 7 7800X3D targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Ryzen 7 7800X3D rivals Intel Core i7-14700K.

FeatureCore i9-12900ERyzen 7 7800X3D
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 770
AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core)
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
Yes
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
AMD-V
Target Use
Gaming
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-12900E was priced at $500, while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D came in at $449. On launch pricing ($500 vs $449), Ryzen 7 7800X3D was $51 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-12900E delivers 56.3 pts/$ vs 76.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D — making the Ryzen 7 7800X3D the 30.2% better value option.

FeatureCore i9-12900ERyzen 7 7800X3D
MSRP
$500
$449-10%
Performance per Dollar
56.3
76.4+36%
Release Date
2022
2023

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