Intel Core i7-12700K vs AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X is the faster chip for gaming by roughly 2%. Here is the full spec-by-spec breakdown.
| Specification | Intel Core i7-12700K | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming score | 82/100 | 84/100 |
| Tier | A | A |
| Manufacturer | Intel | AMD |
| Cores | 12 | 8 |
| Threads | 20 | 16 |
| Base clock | 3.6 GHz | 3.8 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5 GHz | 5.5 GHz |
| Power draw (TDP) | 125 W | 65 W |
| Release year | 2021 | 2024 |
Which should you buy?
For gaming specifically, the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X is the better buy — it holds a 2% lead in our index, which shows up most at 1080p and in CPU-bound titles like strategy and simulation games. The Intel Core i7-12700K has more cores (12 vs 8), which helps if you stream, compile or render alongside playing. The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X runs 60W cooler, meaning a cheaper cooler and less case heat. Either way, pair it with a graphics card of similar standing — check the bottleneck calculator before you buy.