AMD Ryzen 9 3900X vs. Intel Core i5-12600K Multi-Threading?

Started by squatchdog on May 19, 2024

I'm looking at the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X and the Intel Core i5-12600K for my next build. Can anyone share their thoughts on multi-threading performance? Has anyone tried both of these CPUs in a multi-threaded environment?

Solved by Matt3124 in post #2
I've been using the Ryzen 9 3900X, and it's been fantastic for my multi-threaded workloads. It handles everything smoothly with its 12 cores and large L3 cache. Have you checked out this TechReviewer article AMD Ryzen 9 3900X vs. Intel Core i5-12600K? It has a detailed comparison between the two.

I've been using the Ryzen 9 3900X, and it's been fantastic for my multi-threaded workloads. It handles everything smoothly with its 12 cores and large L3 cache. Have you checked out this TechReviewer article AMD Ryzen 9 3900X vs. Intel Core i5-12600K? It has a detailed comparison between the two.

Solution

@Matt3124. I'm leaning towards the Ryzen 9 3900X based on your experience. What about power consumption though? Are you satisfied with how it performs in that aspect?

The Ryzen 9 3900X doesn't consume too much power under normal use, but it does get warm during intense workloads. However, my case has ample airflow, so I haven't had any issues.

I've been using the Intel Core i5-12600K for a while now and have found it to be quite good for most tasks, including some multi-threaded applications. Its 10 cores and PCIe 5.0 support are impressive. However, when compared to the Ryzen 9 3900X, it falls behind in terms of raw processing power.

That's interesting, @Political-Intellect. So, if I understand correctly, the Ryzen 9 3900X is better for heavy multi-threaded applications but has higher power consumption and potentially more heat generation?

Yes, that's right, @squatchdog. The Ryzen 9 3900X does have a higher base frequency and larger L3 cache, which contributes to its excellent multi-threading capabilities. However, it's essential to ensure your cooling solution is up to the task.

I've done some benchmarking with both CPUs, and it's clear that the Ryzen 9 3900X performs better in most multi-threaded workloads. But as others have mentioned, it does consume more power and generates more heat. If you're primarily doing single-threaded tasks or using lighter multi-threaded applications, the i5-12600K might be a better choice.

Thanks for the input, everyone. So, based on your experiences, would you recommend one CPU over the other? I'm mostly going to use it for gaming and some video editing, which is relatively light multi-threading?

If gaming and light video editing are your primary tasks, the Intel Core i5-12600K could be a better fit. It's more power-efficient and won't heat up as much as the Ryzen 9 3900X during these activities. However, if you anticipate needing to run more demanding multi-threaded applications in the future, it might be worth investing in the 3900X.

Great insights, thanks @Political-Intellect and everyone else. I'll think about it some more before making my final decision. Have a great day!