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AMD Ryzen 7000 vs 12th Gen Intel Core Processors – Specs, Features, and Price Comparison (Updated)

AMD announced its latest Ryzen 7000 processors, based on the new Zen 4 architecture last month. These new CPUs are the Ryzen 9 7950X, 7900X, 7700X, and 7600X. Interestingly, the prices of these new Zen 4 processors are somewhat similar to their predecessors, the Ryzen 5000 series CPUs, at launch. Price-wise, the new Zen 4 CPUs are also competitive with Intel’s current 12th gen desktop CPU. In this article, let’s compare AMD’s latest generation of CPUs against Intel’s current lineup.

amd ryzen 7000 vs 12th gen intel core processors

UPDATE 2: See also AMD Ryzen 7000 Zen 4 Vs 13th Gen Intel Core Raptor Lake Processors.

UPDATE: Reviews are out and we added some gaming and performance benchmarks from LTT and TPU.

12th Gen Intel Core CPUs vs AMD Ryzen 7000 CPUs

AMD’s latest Ryzen 7000 processors are based on the new Zen 4 architecture. The CPU itself is based on a 5nm fabrication process from TSMC. This brings significant improvement from its predecessor and it is also more efficient than Intel’s current 12th Gen Alder Lake CPUs that are based on a 10nm processor.

amd ryzen 7000 cpu series

Similar to Intel, AMD is now using an LGA (Land Grid Array) package for its CPUs. Users will no longer have to worry about bent pins since there are no pins on the CPU. The pins are on the motherboard side, just like what Intel has been doing for several years. Speaking of motherboards, the Ryzen 7000 CPUs are compatible with AM5 socket motherboards.

When it comes to CPU design, AMD stuck with the good-old all-performance cores and thread configuration. Meanwhile, Intel has adopted the big-little CPU design starting with the 12th generation Core processors. This means, there are only performance cores on AMD’s Ryzen 7000 CPUs, meanwhile, the 12th gen Intel CPUs consists of Performance Cores and Efficiency Cores.

amd ryzen 7000 IPC uplift

For example, the Intel Core i9 12900K has a total of 8 cores and 24 threads. 8 of those cores are P-cores, while the other 8 are E-cores. On AMD’s side, the Ryzen 9 7950X has 16 cores and 32 threads. All of the 16 cores are “performance” cores.

Interestingly, all four Ryzen 7000 CPUs are now built with integrated Radeon graphics. All CPUs have 2 graphics core counts, with a graphics frequency of 2,000MHz. Meanwhile, Intel’s CPUs usually have an iGPU, except for the “F” variants.

Below is a specs comparison table of the AMD Ryzen 7000 CPUs vs Intel’s 12th Gen Core CPUs.

Specs and Price Comparison

CPUCoresThreadsBase ClockBoost ClockiGPUTDPPrice (Launch)Current Retail Price
Core i9 1200KS16243.4 GHz5.5 GHzUHD 770150 W$739

$637

Ryzen 9 7950X16324.5 GHz5.7 GHzRadeon 2 Cores170 W$699

$699

Core i9 12900K16243.2 GHz5.2 GHzUHD 770125 W$599

$570

Ryzen 9 7900X12244.7 GHz5.6 GHzRadeon 2 Cores170 W$549

$549

Core i7 12700K12203.6 GHz5 GHzUHD 770125 W$409

$365

Ryzen 7 7700X8164.5 GHz5.4 GHzRadeon 2 Cores105 W$399

$399

Ryzen 5 7600X6124.7 GHz5.3 GHzRadeon 2 Cores105 W$299

$299

Core i5 12600K10163.7 GHz4.9 GHzUHD 770125 W$289

$278

Note: The CPUs are arranged according to the launch price.

AMD Ryzen 7000 Zen4 CPUs are now available at Amazon.com here or Newegg.com here.
AMD AM5 X670(E) motherboards are available at Amazon.com here or Newegg.com here.

AMD Ryzen 7000 Zen 4 Processors Reviews Are Out!

Reviews for the AMD Ryzen 7000 CPUs are finally out. And generally speaking, the Ryzen 7000 CPUs offered a significant improvement in single-threaded performance, even outperforming Intel’s current flagship the Core i9-12900K. Even the Ryzen 5 7600X can perform on par, or even outperform the Core i9-12900K (in some scenarios or game titles).

However, it seems that AMD’s previous Ryzen 7 5800X3D is still competitive enough when it comes to gaming performance alone. Not to mention, the cost of building a Zen3-based system with DDR4 memory, is cheaper compared to a Zen4-based system with DDR5 memory.

While the new Zen 4 CPUs outshine Intel’s current lineup in single-threaded workloads, the story is a bit different when it comes to multi-threaded workloads. Only the Ryzen 7900X and 7950X can outperform the Core i9-12900K(S).

Generally speaking, the performance of these new Zen4 processors is great and did not disappoint. However, do note that they are more power hungry compared to the previous generation Zen3 CPUs and the cost of building a Zen4-based system is a bit expensive. They also require a beefier cooler, especially for the Ryzen 7900X and 7950X. Also, DDR5 memory kits and some X670(E) motherboards are a bit pricey as of today. I’m sure when prices have gone down, they will be more attractive.

Anyway, the ball is now in Intel’s court, and let’s see what Intel’s 13th gen Raptor Lake CPUs has to offer when they are released.

Source: Linus Tech Tips

Meanwhile, TechPowerUp’s results are a bit different from LTT’s when it comes to gaming results. It was not a clear win for AMD when TPU tested the new Ryzen 7000 CPUs.

Source: TechPowerUp

AMD Ryzen 9 7950X vs Intel Core i9 12900K

Comparing AMD’s flagship CPU to Intel’s, it looks like AMD has the advantage since all of the 16 cores are performance cores. The Ryzen 7950X also has more threads compared to the i9-12900K. AMD shared some performance comparisons based on their internal testing. Take note that these are probably cherry-picked results. Although, I doubt that AMD would exaggerate the numbers.

amd ryzen 9 7950x vs intel core i9-12900k

According to AMD, its flagship CPU, the Ryzen 9 7950X is up to 23% faster in gaming performance. It is also up to 62% faster in productivity and content creation workloads. That’s a significant difference, considering that AMD’s CPUs are more efficient than Intel’s. AMD claims the new Zen 4 CPU is up to 47% more efficient than Intel’s.

amd-ryzen-9-7950x-vs-intel-core-i9-12900k-perf-watt

That’s not even the exciting part. All of AMD’s Ryzen 7000 CPUs, even the Ryzen 5 7600X, are faster than the Core i9-12900K in single-threaded workloads and in gaming.

AMD Ryzen 5 7600X Outperforms Intel’s Core i9 12900K In Gaming

The Ryzen 6 7500X is AMD’s current mid-range mainstream desktop CPU. It’s a 6-core 12-thread processor with a boost clock speed of up to 4.9GHz. It has a similar core and thread count to its predecessor, the Ryzen 5 5600X. Both CPUs were also launched at $299 USD.

amd-ryzen-7000-cpus-single-thread-geekbench

Interestingly, AMD claims that the Ryzen 5 7600X is (on average) 5% faster in gaming performance compared to Intel’s flagship Core i9-1200K. So, does that mean the Ryzen 5 7600X has a similar gaming performance to the Ryzen 7 5800X3D? We’ll find out soon.

amd-ryzen-5-7600x-vs-intel-core-i9-12900k-gaming

Intel’s 13th Gen Raptor Lake Is Coming Too

While AMD can only compare its latest CPUs to Intel’s current 12th gen CPUs, Intel will also release or announce its 13th gen Raptor Lake processor by end of September or in October. The 13th gen Raptor Lake is said to offer (significant) improvement from the current 12th gen CPUs, at the expense of consuming more power. Well, at least based on reports and recent leaks.

Will you get an AMD Ryzen 7000 CPU as soon as they are released on the market starting September 27? Or would you wait for Intel’s 13th gen Raptor Lake CPUs first?

amd ryzen 7000 retail box

For the latest pricing and availability of AMD’s Ryzen 7000 CPUs and AM5 motherboards:
AMD Ryzen 7000 Zen4 CPUs are now available at Amazon.com here or Newegg.com here.
AMD AM5 X670(E) motherboards are available at Amazon.com here or Newegg.com here.

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Peter Paul
Peter is a PC enthusiast and avid gamer with several years of hands-on experience in testing and reviewing PC components, audio equipment, and various tech devices. He offers a genuine, no-nonsense perspective, helping consumers make informed choices in the ever-changing world of technology.

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