Core i9-12900F vs Ryzen 7 3700X
Core i9-12900F
Ryzen 7 3700X
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-12900F
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 7 3700X
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i9-12900F | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($370) | ✅ More affordable ($140) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) / 7 nm, 12 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i9-12900F | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+65%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($370) | ✅ More affordable ($140) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i9-12900F and Ryzen 7 3700X
Core i9-12900F
The Core i9-12900F 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: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 35,873 points. Launch price was $499.
Ryzen 7 3700X
The Ryzen 7 3700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 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 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 22,430 points. Launch price was $329.
Processing Power
The Core i9-12900F packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i9-12900F has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-12900F versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — a 14.7% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900F (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i9-12900F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-12900F scores 35,873 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 46.1% lead for the Core i9-12900F. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900F vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.
| Feature | Core i9-12900F | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 16 / 24+100% | 8 / 16 |
| Boost Clock | 5.1 GHz+16% | 4.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz | 3.6 GHz+50% |
| 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) | Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) |
| PassMark | 35,873+60% | 22,430 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i9-12900F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 4800 on the Core i9-12900F versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 3700X — the Core i9-12900F 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 i9-12900F) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 3700X) — the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z690,B660 (Core i9-12900F) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 7 3700X).
| Feature | Core i9-12900F | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 24+20% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-12900F) / not specified (Ryzen 7 3700X). Direct competitor: Core i9-12900F rivals Ryzen 9 5900X.
| Feature | Core i9-12900F | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i9-12900F launched at $494 MSRP, while the Ryzen 7 3700X debuted at $329. At current prices ($370 vs $140), the Ryzen 7 3700X is $230 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-12900F delivers 97.0 pts/$ vs 160.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X — making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 49.2% better value option.
| Feature | Core i9-12900F | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $494 | $329-33% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $370 | $140-62% |
| Performance per Dollar | 97.0 | 160.2+65% |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2019 |
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