Core i9-12900KS vs EPYC 9124

CPU

GPU

Core i9-12900KS

16 Cores24 Thrd150 WWMax: 5.3 GHz2022

Core family

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EPYC 9124

16 Cores32 Thrd200 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2022

EPYC family

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Core i9-12900KS vs EPYC 9124 Performance Spectrum

Core i9-12900KS

16 / 24

43,528

0.0%

43,638

+0.3%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

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 i9-12900KS vs EPYC 9124 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 i9-12900KS vs EPYC 9124: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-12900KS

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +18.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $344 less on MSRP ($739 MSRP vs $1,083 MSRP).
✅Delivers 46.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 58.9 vs 40.3 PassMark/$ ($739 MSRP vs $1,083 MSRP).
✅Draws 150W instead of 200W, a 50W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD 770, while EPYC 9124 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (43,528 vs 43,638).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 9124, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

EPYC 9124

2022

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅+113.3% larger total L3 cache (64 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 i9-12900KS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 40.3 vs 58.9 PassMark/$ ($1,083 MSRP vs $739 MSRP).
❌33.3% higher power demand at 200W vs 150W.
❌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 EPYC 9124?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. EPYC 9124 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i9-12900KS is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 9124 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 113.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 30 MB).

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

Core i9-12900KS is the better buy right now. Core i9-12900KS comes in $344 cheaper on MSRP at $739 MSRP versus $1,083 MSRP, and it still gives you a 18.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that EPYC 9124 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.3% better PassMark. It is also 46.2% better value on MSRP (58.9 vs 40.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

EPYC 9124 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 113.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 30 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 32 threads instead of 16/24. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i9-12900KS vs EPYC 9124 Technical Specifications

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

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.

EPYC 9124

The EPYC 9124 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 November 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Genoa (2022−2023) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm, 6 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 200 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 43,638 points. Launch price was $1,083.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-12900KS packs 16 cores / 24 threads, matching the EPYC 9124's 16 cores. Boost clocks reach 5.3 GHz on the Core i9-12900KS versus 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 9124 — a 35.6% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900KS (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i9-12900KS uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the EPYC 9124 uses Genoa (2022−2023) (5 nm, 6 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-12900KS scores 43,528 against the EPYC 9124's 43,638 — a 0.3% lead for the EPYC 9124. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,082 vs 1,770, a 16.2% lead for the Core i9-12900KS that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900KS vs 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 9124.

Feature	Core i9-12900KS	EPYC 9124
Cores / Threads	16 / 24	16 / 32
Boost Clock	5.3 GHz+43%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+13%	3 GHz
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)	64 MB (total)+113%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+25%	1 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	5 nm, 6 nm-29%
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Genoa (2022−2023)
PassMark	43,528	43,638
Cinebench R23 Multi	27,796	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,082+18%	1,770
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	18,000

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-12900KS uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the EPYC 9124 uses SP5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. The EPYC 9124 supports up to 6144 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 4700% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i9-12900KS) vs 12 (EPYC 9124). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i9-12900KS) vs 128 (EPYC 9124) — the EPYC 9124 offers 108 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: LGA1700 (Core i9-12900KS) and SP5 (EPYC 9124).

Feature	Core i9-12900KS	EPYC 9124
Socket	LGA1700	SP5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	6144 GB+4700%
RAM Channels	2	12+500%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	128+540%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i9-12900KS 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 i9-12900KS) vs AMD-V (EPYC 9124). The Core i9-12900KS includes integrated graphics (UHD 770), while the EPYC 9124 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: EPYC 9124 targets Server. Direct competitor: EPYC 9124 rivals Xeon Gold 6426Y.

Feature	Core i9-12900KS	EPYC 9124
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD 770	None
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Server

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-12900KS was priced at $739, while the EPYC 9124 came in at $1083. On launch pricing ($739 vs $1083), Core i9-12900KS was $344 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-12900KS delivers 58.9 pts/$ vs 40.3 pts/$ for the EPYC 9124 — making the Core i9-12900KS the 37.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-12900KS	EPYC 9124
MSRP	$739-32%	$1083
Performance per Dollar	58.9+46%	40.3
Release Date	2022	2022

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