
Core i9-12900K

EPYC 7313P
Core i9-12900K vs EPYC 7313P 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 i9-12900K vs EPYC 7313P 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.

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Valorant

Among Us

Apex Legends

ARC Raiders

Baldur's Gate 3

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Core i9-12900K vs EPYC 7313P: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict
See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.
Core i9-12900K
2021Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +18.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅Costs $324 less on MSRP ($589 MSRP vs $913 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 55.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 69.9 vs 44.9 PassMark/$ ($589 MSRP vs $913 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 125W instead of 155W, a 30W reduction.
- ✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of SP3 and DDR4.
Trade-offs
- ❌Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 128 MB).
- ❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7313P, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.
- ❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.
EPYC 7313P
2021Why buy it
- ✅+326.7% larger total L3 cache (128 MB vs 30 MB).
- ✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 20.
- ✅540% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-12900K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower PassMark (41,017 vs 41,180).
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 44.9 vs 69.9 PassMark/$ ($913 MSRP vs $589 MSRP).
- ❌24% higher power demand at 155W vs 125W.
- ❌Older platform position on SP3 with DDR4, while Core i9-12900K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
Quick Answers
So, is Core i9-12900K better than EPYC 7313P?
Which one is better for gaming?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i9-12900K vs EPYC 7313P Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i9-12900K
The Core i9-12900K 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 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 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): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 41,180 points. Launch price was $589.

EPYC 7313P
The EPYC 7313P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 15 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Milan (2021−2023) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 128 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm+ process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 155 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 41,017 points. Launch price was $913.
Processing Power
The Core i9-12900K packs 16 cores / 24 threads, matching the EPYC 7313P's 16 cores. Boost clocks reach 5.2 GHz on the Core i9-12900K versus 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 7313P — a 33.7% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900K (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i9-12900K uses the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the EPYC 7313P uses Milan (2021−2023) (7 nm+). In PassMark, the Core i9-12900K scores 41,180 against the EPYC 7313P's 41,017 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i9-12900K. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900K vs 128 MB (total) on the EPYC 7313P.
| Feature | Core i9-12900K | EPYC 7313P |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 16 / 24 | 16 / 32 |
| Boost Clock | 5.2 GHz+41% | 3.7 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz+7% | 3 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 30 MB (total) | 128 MB (total)+327% |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core)+150% | 512 kB (per core) |
| Process | 10 nm | 7 nm+-30% |
| Architecture | Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) | Milan (2021−2023) |
| PassMark | 41,180 | 41,017 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i9-12900K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the EPYC 7313P uses SP3 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i9-12900K versus 3200 on the EPYC 7313P — the Core i9-12900K supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 7313P supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 3100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i9-12900K) vs 8 (EPYC 7313P). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i9-12900K) vs 128 (EPYC 7313P) — the EPYC 7313P offers 108 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 600 series,Intel 700 series (Core i9-12900K) and SP3 (EPYC 7313P).
| Feature | Core i9-12900K | EPYC 7313P |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | SP3 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+25% | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800+50% | 3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 4096 GB+3100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 8+300% |
| ECC Support | Yes | Yes |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 128+540% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i9-12900K) / VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (EPYC 7313P). The Core i9-12900K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the EPYC 7313P requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: EPYC 7313P rivals Xeon Gold 6334.
| Feature | Core i9-12900K | EPYC 7313P |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel UHD Graphics 770 | None |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | Yes |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Core i9-12900K was priced at $589, while the EPYC 7313P came in at $913. On launch pricing ($589 vs $913), Core i9-12900K was $324 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-12900K delivers 69.9 pts/$ vs 44.9 pts/$ for the EPYC 7313P — making the Core i9-12900K the 43.5% better value option.
| Feature | Core i9-12900K | EPYC 7313P |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $589-35% | $913 |
| Performance per Dollar | 69.9+56% | 44.9 |
| Release Date | 2021 | 2021 |
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