Xeon Gold 5420+ vs i9-12900K

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i9-12900K
2021
16 cores / 24 threads, 125 Watt
26.09
Xeon Gold 5420+
2023
28 cores / 56 threads, 205 Watt
36.65
+40.5%

Xeon Gold 5420+ outperforms Core i9-12900K by a considerable 40% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-12900K and Xeon Gold 5420+ processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking19195
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation37.3059.38
Market segmentDesktop processorServer
SeriesIntel Core i9no data
Power efficiency19.7516.92
Architecture codenameAlder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
Release date27 October 2021 (3 years ago)10 January 2023 (1 year ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$589$1,848

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Xeon Gold 5420+ has 59% better value for money than i9-12900K.

Detailed specifications

Core i9-12900K and Xeon Gold 5420+ basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores16 (Hexadeca-Core)28 (Octacosa-Core)
Threads2456
Base clock speed3.2 GHz2 GHz
Boost clock speed5.2 GHz4.1 GHz
Bus typeDMI 4.0no data
Bus rate8 × 16 GT/sno data
Multiplier32no data
L1 cache768 KB80K (per core)
L2 cache4 MB2 MB (per core)
L3 cache6 MB52.5 MB
Chip lithography10 nm10 nm
Die size215.25 mm2"no data
Maximum core temperature100 °Cno data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °C84 °C
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility++
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-12900K and Xeon Gold 5420+ compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration12
SocketFCLGA17004677
Power consumption (TDP)125 Watt205 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-12900K and Xeon Gold 5420+. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2no data
AES-NI++
AVX++
vPro++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shift+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
TSX-+
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring+-
SIPP+-
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+no data
Deep Learning Boost+-

Security technologies

Core i9-12900K and Xeon Gold 5420+ technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB+no data
Secure Key+no data
OS Guard+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-12900K and Xeon Gold 5420+ are enumerated here.

VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-12900K and Xeon Gold 5420+. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4, DDR5DDR5-4400
Maximum memory size128 GBno data
Max memory channels2no data
Maximum memory bandwidth76.805 GB/sno data
ECC memory support+-

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel UHD Graphics 770no data
Quick Sync Video+-
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency1.55 GHzno data
Execution Units32no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i9-12900K and Xeon Gold 5420+ integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported4no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i9-12900K and Xeon Gold 5420+ integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.44096 x 2160 @ 60Hzno data
Max resolution over eDP5120 x 3200 @ 120Hzno data
Max resolution over DisplayPort7680 x 4320 @ 60Hzno data

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i9-12900K and Xeon Gold 5420+ integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX12no data
OpenGL4.5no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-12900K and Xeon Gold 5420+.

PCIe version5.0 and 4.05.0
PCI Express lanes2080

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i9-12900K 26.09
Xeon Gold 5420+ 36.65
+40.5%

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i9-12900K 41435
Xeon Gold 5420+ 58209
+40.5%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 26.09 36.65
Recency 27 October 2021 10 January 2023
Physical cores 16 28
Threads 24 56
Power consumption (TDP) 125 Watt 205 Watt

i9-12900K has 64% lower power consumption.

Xeon Gold 5420+, on the other hand, has a 40.5% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 1 year, and 75% more physical cores and 133.3% more threads.

The Xeon Gold 5420+ is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i9-12900K in performance tests.

Note that Core i9-12900K is a desktop processor while Xeon Gold 5420+ is a server/workstation one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-12900K and Xeon Gold 5420+, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i9-12900K
Core i9-12900K
Intel Xeon Gold 5420+
Xeon Gold 5420+

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