Intel Core i9-12900K vs AMD Ryzen 7 8700G
Choosing between Intel Core i9-12900K and AMD Ryzen 7 8700G can be tricky. Both are excellent, but they serve different priorities. This guide highlights what matters for US shoppers.
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Intel Core i9-12900K
AMD Ryzen 7 8700G
Comparison: Intel Core i9-12900K vs AMD Ryzen 7 8700G
Intel Core i9-12900K
AMD Ryzen 7 8700G
| Criterion | Intel Core i9-12900K | AMD Ryzen 7 8700G |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.5(2,331)Amazon | ★4.7(554)Amazon |
Architecture Gen | Alder Lake (12th Gen Intel Core) | Zen 4 (Ryzen 8000G Series / Hawk Point) |
Socket Platform | LGA1700 | Socket AM5 (LGA 1718) |
Cores Threads | 16 Cores (8 Performance + 8 Efficient) / 24 Threads | 8 Cores / 16 Threads |
Base Boost Clock | P-core: 3.2–5.2 GHz / E-core: 2.4–3.9 GHz | 4.2 GHz Base / Up to 5.1 GHz Boost |
Cache L2 L3 | 30 MB Intel® Smart Cache (L3) + 14 MB L2 (44 MB Total) | 8 MB L2 + 16 MB L3 (24 MB Total) |
TDP Power | 125 W (Processor Base Power) | 65 W |
Max Turbo Power | 241 W (Maximum Turbo Power) | 88 W (PPT) |
Process Node | Intel 7 (10nm Enhanced SuperFin) | TSMC 4nm FinFET (Monolithic Die) |
Memory Support | DDR5-4800 MT/s / DDR4-3200 MT/s (Official); Up to 128 GB | DDR5-5200 MT/s (Official); Dual-Channel; Up to 256 GB; ECC Support: No |
Memory Bandwidth Max | 76.8 GB/s | N/A (Dependent on RAM config, theoretical max ~83.2 GB/s @ 5200 MT/s) |
Pcie Version | PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 |
Pcie Lanes | 20 (16 PCIe 5.0 + 4 PCIe 4.0) | 20 Total (16 Usable: x8 Graphics, 2x4 NVMe/General) |
Igpu | Intel UHD Graphics 770 (32 EUs, 1.55 GHz Dyn Max) | AMD Radeon 780M (12 Compute Units, 2900 MHz) |
Instruction Features | SSE4.1/4.2, AVX2, Intel 64, VT-x/VT-d, AES-NI, Gaussian & Neural Accelerator 3.0 | AMD-V, AVX, AVX2, AVX-512, FMA3, AES-NI, SHA, SSE4.1/4.2 |
Cooler Included | No (Heatsink not included) | Yes (Wraith Spire) |
Max Temp | 100°C (212°F) Tjunction | 95°C (203°F) TjMax |
Notes Limits | Requires a robust liquid cooler (AIO) due to 241W turbo power. Unlocked for overclocking. | 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). |
Chipset Support | Intel 600 and 700 Series (Z690, Z790, etc.) | A620, B650, B650E, X670, X670E, B840, B850, X870, X870E |
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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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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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Which one is better?
Intel Core i9-12900K is stronger in specific features, but AMD Ryzen 7 8700G could still be the better pick if you value its unique advantages.
Who should buy each?
Expert take:
- Intel Core i9-12900K suits buyers who need Elite multi-core performance for rendering, editing, and streaming, Supports both cost-effective DDR4 and high-performance DDR5 motherboards
- AMD Ryzen 7 8700G suits buyers who want Best-in-class integrated graphics (Radeon 780M) capable of 1080p gaming, Includes dedicated NPU for local AI workloads (Ryzen AI)
Conclusion
With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Intel Core i9-12900K excels if you value elite multi-core performance for rendering, editing, and streaming. AMD Ryzen 7 8700G is better if you prioritize best-in-class integrated graphics (radeon 780m) capable of 1080p gaming. 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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