After many years of market dominance by Intel, AMD was able to seize the performance crown a year ago. But now Intel is back with new, more powerful processors.
AMD has presented with its fourth generation Ryzen processors. However, Intel has now followed suit and presented its completely revised 12th generation Intel Core. Both manufacturers are now back in the same league. The large TECHBOOK guide explains which processor is the best for which purpose and what differentiates AMD and Intel.
AMD or Intel?
In the past, Intel and AMD have gone head-to-head in our list of the best processors. In a direct comparison, AMD’s processors had more computing cores and thus higher performance for tasks that are optimized for more cores, such as video editing. Intel’s processors had higher clock frequencies and more power per clock (IPC), which has a positive effect on performance in PC games.
But that has now changed. Currently, the Ryzen 5000 processors and the 12th generation of Intel Core are practically on par in terms of performance and number of computing cores. Because AMD has caught up in both clock frequency and IPC. Intel, on the other hand, has cut itself off from AMD and is equal in the number of processor cores for the first time. With its completely new Alder Lake microarchitecture, Intel mixes so-called performance cores (P cores) with efficiency cores (E cores). The result is outstanding multi-core performance that doesn’t need to hide from AMD’s Zen3 processor cores.
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Which processor is right for me?
To get you started, here is a brief summary of which CPU from which manufacturer is the best choice in which price segment:
| The best processors of 2022 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price for a complete system | intel | AMD | ||
| 2500 euros | Core i9-12900K | 600 euros | Ryzen 9 5950X | 615 euros |
| 2000 Euro | Core i7-12700K | 415 euros | Ryzen 9 5900X | 460 euros |
| 1500 Euro | Core i5-12600K | 290 euros | Ryzen 7 5800X | 340 euros |
| 1000 Euro | Core i5-12400 | 200 euros | Ryzen 5 5600G | 220 euros |
| 700 euro | Core i3-12100F | 100 euros | – | |
| Pricing as of March 1, 2022 |
For those who are still unsure which CPU is actually the best, we searched for the three best processors in the categories “All-round”, “Gaming”, “Value for money”, “Starter” and “Budget”. . To do this, we compared the performance of the respective AMD and Intel offerings in terms of performance and price.
Best all-round CPU: Intel Core i9-12900K
Best Gaming CPU: Intel Core i7-12700K
CPU with the best price-performance ratio: Intel Core i5-12600K
Best entry-level CPU: Intel Core i5-12400F
Best Budget CPU: Intel Core i3-12100F
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Intel Core i9-12900K
With the new Alder Lake processors, Intel can once again seize the performance crown. The 12th generation of Intel core chips comes for the first time with a mixture of performance cores and efficiency cores. The processors have been given more single-core performance and, thanks to the additional efficiency cores, achieve multi-core performance that even AMD cannot keep up with. First and foremost is the Intel Core i9-12900K, which has 8 performance cores with Hyper-Threading and 8 efficiency cores.
The processor has a total of 16 cores or 24 threads. In the past, this was not even available in Intel processors costing several thousand euros, today it is possible for a few hundred euros. The i9-12900K thus represents the ideal interface between productivity and gaming performance. Not only for streamers, but also for professional users who like to gamble in their free time, in our opinion it is currently the best all-round CPU.
Even AMD’s flagship Ryzen 9 5950X processor with 16 cores and 32 threads can’t keep up with Intel’s new lineup. By the time the model was launched, AMD had finally caught up with Intel in single-core performance, as evidenced by the comparison to the i9-10900K at the time. The model was also unbeatable in multi-core tasks. In both points, Intel has now regained the top position with the i9-12900K. The chip currently costs around 600 euros. If you can manage without the integrated GPU, you can also save around 30 euros. The otherwise identical i9-12900KF is available for 570 euros. Since AMD’s Ryzen 9 5950X is more expensive despite less performance, we can only recommend it as an alternative to a limited extent. At most, owners of an existing system with an AMD CPU who want to upgrade should consider buying it.
Intel Core i7-12700K
The Intel Core i7-12700K offers amazing performance for its money. The processor has the same number of performance cores (8 P-Cores) as the i9-12900K. The chip only has to be satisfied with half (4 E-Cores) for the efficiency cores. The CPU is a good choice for anyone who wants to play games absolutely smoothly and also wants to tickle the last bit of performance out of the PC with overclocking. And at a reasonable price of 415 euros. There is also potential for savings here if you do without the integrated GPU. The i7-12700KF is available for around 400 euros.
AMD also has a good alternative in this price range. The Ryzen 9 5900X has come down in price so much that it’s worth considering, despite slightly inferior performance to the i7-12700K. Thanks to the 12 powerful cores, even newer AAA titles are no problem. The chip currently costs around 460 euros and is primarily an option for those who want to upgrade from an older Ryzen generation.
Intel Core i5-12600K
The Intel Core i5-12600K not only convinces with its more than fair price and the considerable overclocking potential. For 290 euros, the processor offers an almost perfect balance between gaming performance and work performance. Thanks to the drastic improvements in microarchitecture, Intel was able to achieve higher performance with the processor than the previous generation’s top-of-the-line i9-11900K. Gaming in 4K resolution and maximum settings are therefore not a problem for the CPU. But the i5-12600K can do a lot more: With 6 performance cores (12 threads) and 4 efficiency cores, it provides a solid basis for entering the world of professional work. If you want to save some money, you can also go to the i5 -12600KF for 10 to 15 euros less.
There is currently no comparable CPU from AMD. The Ryzen 7 5800X also offers good performance with its 8 cores (16 threads), but cannot keep up with the i5-12600K. Nevertheless, the chip is currently significantly more expensive at 340 euros.
Intel Core i5-12400
For just under 200 euros, the Core i5-12400 offers a lot of performance and functions for a small budget. However, since even the Core i5 series is now equipped with 6 cores and 12 threads, beginners also benefit from the higher performance in games and in productivity. A variant without a graphics unit is also available here in the form of the i5-12400F. This is up to 20 euros cheaper and thus offers additional savings potential.
Team Red also has to admit defeat in this price bracket. The Ryzen 5 5600X is available for 240 euros. Not a bad CPU, but unfortunately a bit behind the i5-12400 in terms of performance despite 6 cores (12 threads). However, a second alternative for AMD buyers could be the Ryzen 5 5600G. Typically, AMD CPUs come without integrated graphics. However, the 5600G has an AMD Vega-based GPU with 7 processing units (CUs). This might be interesting for beginners who cannot yet afford a dedicated graphics card. The chip costs just under 220 euros.
Intel Core i3-12100F
If you only want to invest the absolute minimum in a new PC, you get an amazing amount of performance for little money with the Intel Core i3-12100F. There are 4 cores (8 threads) for a little over 100 euros, which is completely sufficient for gaming in Full HD up to 1440p resolution. The problem, of course, is getting a cheap graphics card. If you don’t have one available yet, you should therefore grab the i5-12100, which has an integrated GPU. However, this is also significantly more expensive at 140 euros.
AMD currently has no comparable product in its portfolio. So far, the company doesn’t have any budget options in the Ryzen 5000 series outside of already assembled OEM products.
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Conclusion: AMD vs. Intel
Intel has regained the performance crown with its new Alder Lake processors. The 12th generation Intel Core is simply superior to practically everything, whether gaming or pure computing power. But AMD’s Zen3 processors have been on the market for more than a year. Zen4 should appear in 2022 and again promises enormous performance gains.
Currently, users with Intel processors are better served in most cases. However, there are also exceptions. If you come from an older AMD Ryzen generation, such as Zen+ or Zen2, there is a good chance that a Zen3 processor will still be compatible with the mainboard. This saves you either the money for a new mainboard or you can invest in a more powerful processor.