Comparison between Intel Core i9-12900KS and AMD Athlon X4 950
Intel Core i9-12900KS is manufactured by Intel, while AMD Athlon X4 950 is manufactured by AMD.
AMD Athlon X4 950 has a higher base speed of 3.5 GHz compared to Intel Core i9-12900KS's GHz.
AMD Athlon X4 950 has a higher turbo speed of 3.8 GHz compared to Intel Core i9-12900KS's GHz.
Intel Core i9-12900KS has more cores (16) compared to AMD Athlon X4 950's 4 cores.
Both CPUs support the same number of threads ().
Both CPUs belong to the same class: Desktop.
Intel Core i9-12900KS uses the LGA socket, while AMD Athlon X4 950 uses the AM4 socket.
Intel Core i9-12900KS was launched in Q2 2022, while AMD Athlon X4 950 was launched in Q3 2017.
Intel Core i9-12900KS has a larger L3 cache of 30 MB compared to AMD Athlon X4 950's MB.
Specification Summary
The Intel Core i9-12900KS and AMD Athlon X4 950 are two processors with distinct specifications. Below is a detailed comparison of their key features:
Manufacturer: Both processors are manufactured by Intel.
Speed: The Intel Core i9-12900KS has a base speed of GHz, while the AMD Athlon X4 950 runs at 3.5 GHz.
Turbo Boost: The Intel Core i9-12900KS supports a turbo speed of GHz, compared to 3.8 GHz for the AMD Athlon X4 950.
Cores: The Intel Core i9-12900KS has 16 cores, while the AMD Athlon X4 950 has 4 cores.
Threads: The Intel Core i9-12900KS supports threads, compared to threads for the AMD Athlon X4 950.
Class: Both processors are designed for Desktop use.
Socket: The Intel Core i9-12900KS uses the LGA, while the AMD Athlon X4 950 uses the AM4.
Launch Date: The Intel Core i9-12900KS was launched on Q2 2022, while the AMD Athlon X4 950 was released on Q3 2017.
L3 Cache: The Intel Core i9-12900KS has 30 MB of L3 cache, compared to MB for the AMD Athlon X4 950.
Detailed Specifications:
Specs
Intel Core i9-12900KS
AMD Athlon X4 950
Manufacturer
Intel
AMD
Speed
GHz
3.5 GHz
Turbo
GHz
3.8 GHz
Cores
16
4
Threads
Class
Desktop
Desktop
Socket
LGA
AM4
Launched
Q2 2022
Q3 2017
L3 Cache
30 MB
MB
Review:
Single Core Performance:
CPU Performance in single-threaded applications
Intel Core i9-12900KS:
72%
AMD Athlon X4 950:
27%
* More is Better
Multi Core Performance:
CPU Performance in multi-threaded applications
Intel Core i9-12900KS
63%
AMD Athlon X4 950:
5%
* More is Better
Power Efficiency:
Power Consumption of CPU under full load
Intel Core i9-12900KS: 150 watts
37.5%
AMD Athlon X4 950: 65 watts
16.25%
* Lower is Better
Launched Date:
Time when the CPU was launched
Intel Core i9-12900KS : Q2 2022 ✅
AMD Athlon X4 950 : Q3 2017 ✅
* Newer is Better
CPU Launch FINAL SCORE:
CPU Final Rating Ratings
Intel Core i9-12900KS
AMD Athlon X4 950
Pro's and Con's
Intel Core i9-12900KS – Pros and Cons
Pros:
Faster Single-Core Performance: With a single-threaded performance score of 4340, the Intel Core i9-12900KS outperforms the AMD Athlon X4 950 (score: 1636). This makes it better suited for tasks that rely on single-core performance, such as gaming or everyday productivity.
Larger L3 Cache: The Intel Core i9-12900KS features a larger L3 cache of 30MB compared to the AMD Athlon X4 950's MB. A larger cache improves performance in memory-intensive tasks, such as video editing or 3D rendering, by reducing latency and speeding up data access.
Higher CPU Mark Score: The Intel Core i9-12900KS has a higher CPU Mark score of 146.92 compared to the AMD Athlon X4 950's 122.72. This indicates better overall performance across a wide range of tasks.
Cons:
Higher Power Consumption: The Intel Core i9-12900KS has a higher TDP of 150W compared to the AMD Athlon X4 950's 65W. This means it may consume more power, leading to higher energy costs and potentially more heat generation, which could require better cooling solutions.
AMD Athlon X4 950 – Pros and Cons
Pros:
Newer Release: The AMD Athlon X4 950 was launched more recently (Q3 2017) compared to the Intel Core i9-12900KS (Q2 2022). This means it benefits from the latest advancements in technology, improved efficiency, and potentially better software optimization.
Higher Base Clock Speed: The AMD Athlon X4 950 has a higher base clock speed of 3.5 GHz compared to the Intel Core i9-12900KS's GHz. This results in better performance for single-threaded tasks and general responsiveness.
Higher Turbo Boost Speed: The AMD Athlon X4 950 supports a higher turbo boost speed of 3.8 GHz compared to the Intel Core i9-12900KS's GHz. This allows for better performance during peak workloads.
Cons:
Fewer Cores: The AMD Athlon X4 950 has 4 cores, which is fewer than the Intel Core i9-12900KS's 16 cores. This could impact performance in multi-threaded workloads, such as rendering, compiling code, or running virtual machines.
Lower Multi-Core Performance: In multi-threaded tasks, the AMD Athlon X4 950 scores 3591, which is lower than the Intel Core i9-12900KS's score of 43928. This makes the Intel Core i9-12900KS a better choice for heavy multitasking or parallel processing.
Productivity
Intel Core i9-12900KS
This cpu Handles Mid Level level office applications, web browsing, and media playback with ease.
It can also be used for Mid Level level multitasking or CPU-intensive tasks like video editing or 3D rendering.
AMD Athlon X4 950
This cpu Handles Entry Level level office applications, web browsing, and media playback with ease.
It can also be used for Entry Level level multitasking or CPU-intensive tasks like video editing or 3D rendering.
Gaming
Intel Core i9-12900KS
Ideal for Mid Level level gaming (when paired with a dedicated GPU) and Mid Level level computing.
AMD Athlon X4 950
Ideal for Entry Level level gaming (when paired with a dedicated GPU) and Entry Level level computing.
Verdict
Intel Core i9-12900KS
The Intel Core i9-12900KS is a reliable and Mid Level processor for your PC builds. It delivers excellent value for users with Mid Level computing needs or those building a New PC.
AMD Athlon X4 950
The AMD Athlon X4 950 is a reliable and Entry Level processor for your PC builds. It delivers excellent value for users with Entry Level computing needs or those building a New PC.
