Intel Core 5 220H vs Intel Core i9-12900H Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Core i9-12900H is the clear performance leader in this comparison. Across every single benchmark recorded in the database, the i9-12900H posts a higher score than the Core 5 220H. The data shows a sweep: 17 wins for the i9-12900H and zero for the Core 5 220H. For any workload that relies on multi-core throughput, the i9-12900H is the definitive choice, with margins ranging from roughly 15% to nearly 30% depending on the test.

The Core 5 220H, however, is not without merit. Its single-core results are surprisingly close to the i9-12900H. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Core 5 220H scores 1853 against 1863.5 for the i9-12900H, a gap of only 0.6%. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the difference is just 1.5%. This makes the Core 5 220H a viable option for lightly threaded tasks where the i9's extra core count provides no benefit.

Who should pick which? Users who prioritize maximum multi-threaded performance, content creation, or heavy parallel workloads should select the Intel Core i9-12900H. Those who need solid single-core performance and are willing to sacrifice significant multi-core throughput for a more recent architecture launch may consider the Core 5 220H. The i9-12900H also offers a larger L3 cache and a higher boost clock, reinforcing its position as the superior processor in this matchup.

Architecture Differences

The two processors belong to different Intel generations and use different underlying microarchitectures. The Core 5 220H is built on the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-H codename, and is part of the Core 5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) generation. The i9-12900H uses the Alder Lake architecture with the Alder Lake-H codename, part of the Core 12th Gen series.

Both processors are manufactured on Intel's 10 nm process node and are produced by Intel's foundry. The Core 5 220H features 12 cores and 16 threads, while the i9-12900H increases that to 14 cores and 20 threads. This difference of 2 cores and 4 threads is the primary driver of the multi-core performance gap observed in the benchmarks.

Cache configurations differ notably. The Core 5 220H has an L2 cache of 2 MB per core and an L3 cache of 18 MB shared. The i9-12900H has a smaller L2 cache at 1.25 MB per core but a larger shared L3 cache at 24 MB. The i9's larger L3 pool helps with data-heavy workloads where shared cache utilization is critical.

The integrated graphics also differ. The Core 5 220H ships with Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units, while the i9-12900H has Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units. The i9's graphics solution offers more execution resources for integrated graphics tasks.

PCIe connectivity is another divergence. The Core 5 220H supports PCIe Gen 5 with 8 lanes (CPU only), whereas the i9-12900H supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The Core 5 offers a newer PCIe generation, but the i9 provides more lanes, which can be relevant for multi-device configurations.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a consistent pattern of i9-12900H superiority, with the largest gaps appearing in multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the i9-12900H scores 15946.5 against 11198 for the Core 5 220H, a delta of 29.8%. This is the largest percentage difference in the entire head-to-head dataset. Similarly, Cinebench R15 multicore shows a 28.8% advantage for the i9 (2576.5 vs 1835).

Cinebench R20 multicore results show a 17.8% lead for the i9-12900H (9501 vs 7812). PassMark's multithread test reinforces this trend, with the i9 scoring 27340 versus 21884 for the Core 5, a 20% margin. Integer math follows at 93828 versus 73555, a 21.6% difference, while floating point math shows 67940 versus 51671, a 23.9% gap.

Data compression and encryption tests favor the i9 as well. PassMark data compression shows 316714 for the i9 against 247921 for the Core 5, a 21.7% difference. Data encryption shows 18548 versus 15216, an 18% gap. Extended instructions benchmarks show 18875 versus 14642, a 22.4% advantage for the i9.

Random string sorting, a test sensitive to memory and cache behavior, shows the i9 scoring 35296 against 28438 for the Core 5, a 19.4% margin. The find prime numbers test shows 107 versus 82, a 23.4% difference. Physics simulation in PassMark shows 1753 versus 1478, a 15.7% lead for the i9.

Single-core results are much closer. Cinebench R23 single-core shows only a 0.6% difference (1863.5 vs 1853). Cinebench R15 single-core shows a 1.5% gap (266 vs 262). PassMark single-thread shows 3717 versus 3405, an 8.4% difference. The i9-12900H wins all of these, but the margins are far less dramatic than in multi-core tests.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on several key specification fields. The Core 5 220H has 12 cores and 16 threads, while the i9-12900H has 14 cores and 20 threads. Base clock speeds are close: 2.70 GHz for the Core 5 versus 2.50 GHz for the i9. Boost clocks favor the i9 at 5.00 GHz against 4.90 GHz for the Core 5.

The Core 5 220H has an L2 cache of 2 MB per core, while the i9-12900H has 1.25 MB per core. L3 cache is 18 MB shared for the Core 5 and 24 MB shared for the i9. The i9 also has a recorded die size of 217 mm², while the Core 5 has no die size data in the database.

PCIe support differs: the Core 5 uses Gen 5 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the i9 uses Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics units differ as well, with 80EU for the Core 5 versus 96EU for the i9. The Core 5 has a recorded launch MSRP of $342; the i9 has no launch MSRP recorded.

Release dates differ significantly. The Core 5 220H was released on 2024-12-17, while the i9-12900H was released on 2022-01-03. The Core 5 is a newer product by nearly three years.

Both processors use the Intel BGA 1744 socket, have a TDP of 45 watts, support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, do not support ECC memory, and are not multiplier-unlocked. Both are classified as mobile market segment parts with active production status.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900H wins every multi-core benchmark. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 15946.5 versus 11198 for the Core 5 220H, a 29.8% advantage. PassMark multithread shows 27340 versus 21884, a 20% lead.

Q: How close are the single-core scores?

A: Very close. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 1863.5 for the i9 versus 1853 for the Core 5, a 0.6% difference. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 266 versus 262, a 1.5% gap. PassMark single-thread shows 3717 versus 3405, an 8.4% difference.

Q: What is the core and thread count difference?

A: The Core 5 220H has 12 cores and 16 threads. The i9-12900H has 14 cores and 20 threads, providing 2 additional cores and 4 additional threads.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The i9-12900H has 24 MB shared L3 cache, while the Core 5 220H has 18 MB shared L3 cache. The i9 also has a smaller per-core L2 cache at 1.25 MB versus 2 MB for the Core 5.

Q: What are the boost clock differences?

A: The i9-12900H boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the Core 5 220H boosts to 4.90 GHz. The Core 5 has a higher base clock at 2.70 GHz versus 2.50 GHz for the i9.

Q: Which processor has better integrated graphics?

A: The i9-12900H has Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units. The Core 5 220H has Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units. The i9 provides more execution resources for graphics tasks.