Intel i7-12700K vs AMD Ryzen 7 5800X: specs and performance

The so-called mid-range of Intel and AMD PC processors is currently represented by the i7-12700K and the Ryzen 7 5800X, the former based on the Alder Lake-S architecture and the latter based on Zen 3.

AMD Ryzen 5800X vs i7-12700K: Specifications

First of all, we have to talk about the points on which the two processors differ and the first thing that stands out is the heterogeneous architecture of the i7-12700K with 8 performance P-Core cores and 4 efficient E-Core cores, which makes the total the number of cores is 12. On the other hand, the Ryzen 7 5800X only has 8 Zen 3 cores inside which would be comparable to the 8 P-Cores.

Another thing that the AMD CPU has to contend with is the distance between the CCD Chiplet and the IOD, since not being a monolithic chip, it adds latency in the execution of the instructions. In any case, the advantage for AMD in opting for this type of configuration is that it allows them to have designs with a greater number of transistors and without the associated problems that arise when increasing the size of the transistor. the chip.

Intel i7-12700K and AMD Ryzen 7 5800X and benchmarks

The first type of application when it comes to measuring the performance of a processor are benchmarks or synthetic performance tests. These will help us give us a rough idea of ​​the comparative performance of each processor.

In any case, we repeat what we always say: benchmarks measure the performance of processors at specific points and not in overall power. Using it helps us get a rough idea of ​​the performance improvements we can experience both on one processor and another when running everyday applications. So they help us get an idea of ​​the parts in which Intel and AMD have beefed up their processors.

Single-core performance

Starting with Cinebench R23 in its single-core test, the i7-12700K scores 1,939 points while the Ryzen 7 5800X achieves a score of 1,594. Thus, the Intel processor gets a 21% advantage over AMD. The other benchmark we have chosen is Geekbench 5 where the i7-12700K manages to reach 1872 points, while the AMD processor reaches 1614. In the second case the difference is tighter and although the Alder Lake-S gains by 16%.

In this part we have nothing more to say, because the numbers are clear. Let’s not forget that Intel released two generations of its Intel Core around the time AMD brought its Ryzen 5000 to market, so the company now run by Pat Gelsinger had the opportunity to make two improvements to this. regard in a single year.

Multicore performance

But the programs not only have parts that work with a single core, but there are parts that work with multiple cores in parallel and that is why we are also interested in knowing the performance of both processors in this regard. In Cinebench R23 we see that the i7-12700K reaches 22,812 points and the 5800X under the same test at 15,245, which translates into a difference of 50% in favor of the Intel Core 12. On the other hand, in the benchmark Geekbench 5’s multicore middle sister Alder Lake-S achieves a score of 14,992 while the Zen 3-based Ryzen 7 achieves 11,078 points and therefore a difference of 35.33%.

With the same cores, the difference in multicore working should be the same as with a single core, but it should be borne in mind that E-Cores add up when running applications in parallel and give the i7-12700K an advantage, hence the delta between the two processors is higher, as there are more hardware resources to distribute the different execution threads.

Intel i7-12700K vs. AMD 5800X in video games

In any case, as we have said, benchmarks are not commonly used applications and video games, because of their extreme use of hardware, are a good way to measure the performance of a CPU.

Let’s not forget that a game is nothing more than a continuous loop, in which the first agent to act is the CPU and therefore its performance will affect the frame rate per second. Although for the comparison to be fair, we need to use the same RAM and graphics card configuration. This is why in all the games that have been tested an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 with 10 GB of VRAM has been used as the graphics card and a Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro DDR4 at 3600 MHz in a dual channel configuration as RAM. with a capacity of 64 GB.

The results can be found in the graph that accompanies this section and, as can be seen, the i7-12700K all benefit over the 5800X, although the differential is lower than seen in the benchmarks that we commented on in the previous sections. We also don’t want to be accused of justifying Intel, but we have to keep in mind that in the allocation of the different functions to the processor, there is currently no game optimized for the use of a processor. heterogeneous such as Intel. Core.12, so we can’t tell if any of the threads fell into one of the E-Cores.

Final conclusion

Today we are faced with two very comparable processors when it comes to running games, as very few use more than 16 threads, which we believe is the reason why the performance between the two processors ends. by equaling in the tests of the Games.

Which of them do we recommend? Well, it depends on the situation, because if for example you have a card with AMD A320, 400 series or 500 series chipset, then our recommendation is to go for AMD Ryzen 7 5800X processor. On the other hand, if your goal is to make a clean sweep and you want a platform that is more thoughtful for the future thanks to its support for DDR5 and PCIe Gen 5 memory, then bet on the i7-12700K.

In conclusion, we believe that as software developers become more familiar with the heterogeneous cores of Intel’s architecture, their advantage will increase over time.