Choose between Ryzen 9 5900X or Intel i7 12700K for gaming.
Choose between Ryzen 9 5900X or Intel i7 12700K for gaming.
I reviewed CPU benchmark videos and noticed the i7 12700kf is better, but the 5900X offers 64MB L3 cache (39MB more) which should boost performance. I’m considering purchasing a used CPU and these models are similar in price. I need to test both normal and VR games. Story titles at 1440p provide the best texture quality and stable 60fps, while AAA titles at 1080p require attention to FPS and low latency. Currently I own a 1080 Ti, and later I plan to upgrade to a 30 series card (3080Ti or 3090) or a 40 series card (4080). I’ll install 32GB DDR4 3200MHz RAM (the i7 can also handle DDR5 4800MHz but it’s costly for the gains). For cooling, I’m using an Arctic Freezer 34 eSport DUO (Intel: 1200, 115x, 2066, 2011(-3); AMD: AM4).
12th generation outperforms Zen 3, especially compared to the X3D variant. For chips between 12,700 and 5,900x, the 12,700KF offers better performance in gaming, VR, and multithreaded tasks. Comparing cache sizes across different architectures isn't straightforward—X3D stands out mainly because of its large cache, though even then it only shines in certain games. If you're choosing between these options, the 12,700KF is likely to be faster. Still, you might find a more competitive option with a 13th generation i5 or similar, which could surpass the 12,700KF thanks to extra clocks and L2 cache. Just keep your budget in mind.
It's tough to judge now considering the similar price-to-performance ratios with today's Black Friday offers, though it might vary by location. A fresh 7800X3D or 7950X3D package with a motherboard and RAM could be superior to buying used. At least from my perspective on Canadian sites.
You've reviewed the pricing and performance of several models. Based on your findings, the 13600kf appears to be the top option according to your analysis.