Intel Core 7 251TE vs Intel Core i9-12900 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data shows a clear split between two very different performance profiles. The Intel Core i9-12900 takes 12 of the 17 head-to-head benchmarks, while the Intel Core 7 251TE wins the remaining 5. The margins tell the real story.

Starting with the multi-core Cinebench tests, the results are contradictory. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i9-12900 wins decisively with 3299 points against 2572, a 28.3% advantage. The R20 multicore test also favors the i9-12900, scoring 11994 versus 10717, an 11.9% lead. However, the R23 multicore test flips the script entirely: the Core 7 251TE scores 25518 against the i9-12900's 18628, a 27% swing in favor of the newer chip. This is a substantial reversal that suggests the R23 workload scales differently with the Core 7's larger core count and cache.

Single-core performance is where the Core 7 251TE establishes its strongest claim. In Cinebench R15 singlecore, it scores 362 versus 262, a 27.6% advantage. The R23 singlecore gap is even more dramatic: 3602 versus 1825, a 49.3% lead for the Core 7. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison. The i9-12900 does win the R20 singlecore test, but by a narrow 12% margin (1693 versus 1512), which sits in stark contrast to its losses in the other two single-core Cinebench runs.

The Passmark suite provides additional context. The i9-12900 dominates in extended instructions, posting 24777 against 16974, a 46% lead. Data compression also favors the i9-12900 at 407899 versus 334399, a 22% margin. The multithread score goes to the i9-12900 at 33608 versus 30022, an 11.9% win. Single-thread Passmark also goes to the i9-12900, scoring 4003 against 3568, a 12.2% advantage. The i9-12900 also wins floating point math (91514 vs 85607, 6.9%), integer math (127512 vs 125739, 1.4%), data encryption (23203 vs 22176, 4.6%), and random string sorting (44070 vs 39643, 11.2%).

The Core 7 251TE's remaining wins include Passmark physics (1938 vs 1730, a 10.7% lead) and Passmark find prime numbers (140 vs 121, a 13.6% lead). These are narrow but consistent with the Core 7's higher boost clock and larger thread count in specific integer workloads.

Looking at the aggregate scores, the i9-12900 averages 42906 across its benchmark suite, while the Core 7 251TE averages 41650. Both CPUs sit at the 88th percentile among all recorded processors. The nearest rivals for the i9-12900 include the Core i9-12900KF (0.2% higher average score), the Core Ultra 9 386H (0.7% lower), the Core i9-12950HX (1% higher), and the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 (1% lower). For the Core 7 251TE, the closest comparisons are the Core Ultra 7 265H (0.1% higher), the Core i7-14650HX (0.2% higher), the Core i7-12850HX (0.3% lower), and the Core i7-14700T (0.6% lower). These tight deltas indicate that both processors are well-positioned within their respective performance tiers.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different design generations. The Intel Core i9-12900 is built on Alder Lake architecture, codenamed Alder Lake-S, and belongs to the Core 12th Gen series. The Intel Core 7 251TE uses Bartlett Lake architecture and is classified as Core 7 generation. Both share the same 10 nm process node and are manufactured by Intel on a 215 mm² die.

Core counts differ significantly. The i9-12900 has 16 cores and 24 threads, while the Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads. This eight-core and eight-thread advantage for the Core 7 is partially offset by the i9-12900's higher base clock of 2.40 GHz versus 1.40 GHz. The boost clocks are closer: 5.10 GHz for the i9-12900 and 5.40 GHz for the Core 7.

Cache configuration is another differentiator. Both have 80 KB L1 per core and 1.25 MB L2 per core, but the L3 cache differs: the i9-12900 has 30 MB shared, while the Core 7 251TE has 36 MB shared. This 6 MB difference may explain some of the Core 7's advantage in cache-sensitive workloads like Cinebench R23.

Memory bandwidth also favors the Core 7 251TE. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode, but the Core 7 lists 89.6 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s for the i9-12900. Both support ECC memory and use the same Intel Socket 1700. PCIe configuration is identical: Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics are the same UHD Graphics 770 on both.

The i9-12900 has an unlocked multiplier, while the Core 7 251TE is locked. Both are listed as active production parts. The i9-12900 was released on January 3, 2022, with a launch MSRP of $519. The Core 7 251TE appeared on January 12, 2025, with a launch MSRP of $384. The part numbers differ: SRL4KQXQ3 for the i9-12900 and SRQAXQ5ZG for the Core 7.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core i9-12900 has 16 cores and 24 threads.

Q: Which chip has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE boosts to 5.40 GHz, compared to 5.10 GHz for the Intel Core i9-12900. The i9-12900 has a higher base clock at 2.40 GHz versus 1.40 GHz.

Q: How do their L3 caches compare?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE has 36 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i9-12900 has 30 MB. Both have identical L1 and L2 cache sizes per core.

Q: Are both CPUs on the same socket?

A: Yes, both use Intel Socket 1700. They also share the same process node (10 nm), die size (215 mm²), and integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770).

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900 wins 12 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests. The Intel Core 7 251TE wins 5.

Q: Do both CPUs support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both support ECC memory and use dual-channel DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The Core 7 251TE has a higher recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s.

Specification Differences

The table below lists only the fields where the two processors differ, based on the recorded data.

| Specification | Intel Core i9-12900 | Intel Core 7 251TE |

|---------------|--------------------|--------------------|

| Series | Core 12th Gen | null |

| Cores | 16 | 24 |

| Threads | 24 | 32 |

| Base Clock | 2.40 GHz | 1.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.10 GHz | 5.40 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 45 W |

| Architecture | Alder Lake | null |

| Codename | Alder Lake-S | Bartlett Lake |

| Generation | Core i9 (Alder Lake-S) | Core 7 (Bartlett Lake) |

| L3 Cache | 30 MB | 36 MB |

| Memory Bandwidth | 76.8 GB/s | 89.6 GB/s |

| Release Date | 2022-01-03 | 2025-01-12 |

| Launch MSRP | $519 | $384 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | SRL4KQXQ3 | SRQAXQ5ZG |

| Average Benchmark Score | 42906 | 41650 |

The Verdict

The data supports a straightforward conclusion for each workload type. The Intel Core i9-12900 is the better choice for legacy multi-threaded Cinebench tests, extended instruction workloads, data compression, encryption, floating point math, integer math, and general multithreaded Passmark scores. It wins 12 benchmarks overall and holds a 3% higher average benchmark score (42906 versus 41650).

The Intel Core 7 251TE is the better choice for modern single-core Cinebench workloads, particularly R15 and R23, as well as Cinebench R23 multicore. Its 49.3% lead in R23 singlecore is the single largest margin in the comparison. It also wins Passmark physics and Passmark find prime numbers.

For users running current-generation rendering workloads that scale with core count and cache, the Core 7 251TE's 24 cores, 32 threads, and 36 MB L3 cache make it the stronger option. For mixed workloads that include data compression, encryption, and extended instruction sets, the i9-12900 remains competitive despite its older architecture.

Both processors sit at the 88th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning neither is a niche part. The i9-12900's nearest rival, the Core i9-12900KF, is only 0.2% apart in average score, while the Core 7 251TE's closest competitor, the Core Ultra 7 265H, is 0.1% apart. The choice ultimately depends on which benchmark suite best represents the intended workload.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core i9-12900:

• Cinebench R15 multicore (28.3% ahead)
• Cinebench R20 multicore (11.9% ahead)
• Cinebench R20 singlecore (12% ahead)
• Passmark data compression (22% ahead)
• Passmark data encryption (4.6% ahead)
• Passmark extended instructions (46% ahead)
• Passmark floating point math (6.9% ahead)
• Passmark integer math (1.4% ahead)
• Passmark multithread (11.9% ahead)
• Passmark random string sorting (11.2% ahead)
• Passmark single thread (12.2% ahead)

Intel Core 7 251TE:

• Cinebench R15 singlecore (27.6% ahead)
• Cinebench R23 multicore (27% ahead)
• Cinebench R23 singlecore (49.3% ahead)
• Passmark find prime numbers (13.6% ahead)
• Passmark physics (10.7% ahead)

The i9-12900 is the more consistent winner across the broader Passmark suite, while the Core 7 251TE excels specifically in Cinebench R23 and the two Passmark tests that reward its higher boost clock and larger thread pool. Users prioritizing Cinebench R23 scores, whether single-core or multi-core, should select the Core 7 251TE. Users needing strong data compression, encryption, or extended instruction throughput should favor the i9-12900. The two CPUs are otherwise close in average performance, with only a 3% gap in aggregate scores.