AMD Ryzen 7 8700G vs Intel Core i9-12900K
The AMD Ryzen 7 8700G is the smarter buy for most users - its 65W TDP means lower power consumption compared to the Intel Core i9-12900K's hefty 241W. In real-world use, this translates to quieter operation and less strain on your cooling system, making it perfect for casual gaming and everyday tasks. If you're into heavy rendering or streaming, the Intel Core i9-12900K's 16 cores offer elite performance that the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G can't match. With a boost clock of 5.2GHz and 24 threads, it's designed to handle demanding workloads effortlessly, but you'll need a premium cooler to manage its heat output effectively.
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AMD Ryzen 7 8700G
Intel Core i9-12900K
Comparison: AMD Ryzen 7 8700G vs Intel Core i9-12900K
AMD Ryzen 7 8700G
Intel Core i9-12900K
| Criterion | AMD Ryzen 7 8700G | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.7(554)Amazon | ★4.5(2,331)Amazon |
Architecture Gen | Zen 4 (Ryzen 8000G Series / Hawk Point) | Alder Lake (12th Gen Intel Core) |
Socket Platform | Socket AM5 (LGA 1718) | LGA1700 |
Cores Threads | 8 Cores / 16 Threads | 16 Cores (8 Performance + 8 Efficient) / 24 Threads |
Base Boost Clock | 4.2 GHz Base / Up to 5.1 GHz Boost | P-core: 3.2–5.2 GHz / E-core: 2.4–3.9 GHz |
Cache L2 L3 | 8 MB L2 + 16 MB L3 (24 MB Total) | 30 MB Intel® Smart Cache (L3) + 14 MB L2 (44 MB Total) |
TDP Power | 65 W | 125 W (Processor Base Power) |
Max Turbo Power | 88 W (PPT) | 241 W (Maximum Turbo Power) |
Process Node | TSMC 4nm FinFET (Monolithic Die) | Intel 7 (10nm Enhanced SuperFin) |
Memory Support | DDR5-5200 MT/s (Official); Dual-Channel; Up to 256 GB; ECC Support: No | DDR5-4800 MT/s / DDR4-3200 MT/s (Official); Up to 128 GB |
Memory Bandwidth Max | N/A (Dependent on RAM config, theoretical max ~83.2 GB/s @ 5200 MT/s) | 76.8 GB/s |
Pcie Version | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 |
Pcie Lanes | 20 Total (16 Usable: x8 Graphics, 2x4 NVMe/General) | 20 (16 PCIe 5.0 + 4 PCIe 4.0) |
Igpu | AMD Radeon 780M (12 Compute Units, 2900 MHz) | Intel UHD Graphics 770 (32 EUs, 1.55 GHz Dyn Max) |
Instruction Features | AMD-V, AVX, AVX2, AVX-512, FMA3, AES-NI, SHA, SSE4.1/4.2 | SSE4.1/4.2, AVX2, Intel 64, VT-x/VT-d, AES-NI, Gaussian & Neural Accelerator 3.0 |
Cooler Included | Yes (Wraith Spire) | No (Heatsink not included) |
Max Temp | 95°C (203°F) TjMax | 100°C (212°F) Tjunction |
Notes Limits | Features 'Ryzen AI' NPU (16 TOPS). Monolithic design has less L3 cache than chiplet Ryzen 7000. Discrete GPU slot limited to PCIe 4.0 x8 speed (sufficient for most mid-range GPUs). | Requires a robust liquid cooler (AIO) due to 241W turbo power. Unlocked for overclocking. |
Chipset Support | A620, B650, B650E, X670, X670E, B840, B850, X870, X870E | Intel 600 and 700 Series (Z690, Z790, etc.) |
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AMD Ryzen 7 8700G
✓ Pros:
- • Best-in-class integrated graphics (Radeon 780M) capable of 1080p gaming
- • Includes dedicated NPU for local AI workloads (Ryzen AI)
- • Efficient 65W operation with included Wraith Spire cooler
✗ Cons:
- • PCIe 4.0 only (no PCIe 5.0) and reduced lane count (x8 for GPU)
- • Small L3 cache (16MB) limits performance with high-end discrete GPUs
- • ECC memory not supported (unlike standard Ryzen 7000/9000 CPUs)
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Intel Core i9-12900K
✓ Pros:
- • Elite multi-core performance for rendering, editing, and streaming
- • Supports both cost-effective DDR4 and high-performance DDR5 motherboards
- • High clock speeds (up to 5.2 GHz) ensure top-tier gaming performance
- • Integrated graphics useful for troubleshooting or Quick Sync workloads
✗ Cons:
- • Very high power consumption (241W) requires premium cooling solutions
- • Runs hotter than competitors under full load
- • LGA1700 platform reaches end-of-life after 14th Gen
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Which one is better?
The AMD Ryzen 7 8700G is the better buy for most people - its 65W TDP crushes the Intel Core i9-12900K's 241W, making it far more efficient for everyday use. That said, grab the Intel Core i9-12900K if you need top-tier performance for rendering or streaming - it's worth it for those demanding tasks.
Who should buy each?
Choose the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G if: you want efficient performance for everyday tasks, you play games at 1080p, or you need a budget-friendly option for a compact build.
Choose the Intel Core i9-12900K if: you do a lot of video editing, you want maximum performance for gaming at high settings, or you plan to overclock for even more power.
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
AMD Ryzen 7 8700G excels if you value best-in-class integrated graphics (radeon 780m) capable of 1080p gaming. Intel Core i9-12900K is better if you prioritize elite multi-core performance for rendering, editing, and streaming. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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