Intel Core i7-11700K vs Intel Core i9-12900HK Comparison

The Intel Core i9-12900HK and Intel Core i7-11700K represent two distinct approaches to high-performance computing: a mobile-first hybrid design versus a desktop-focused monolithic chip. The benchmark data shows a fascinating split, with the i9-12900HK winning 13 of 23 head-to-head tests, while the i7-11700K takes 10. The average benchmark score for the i9-12900HK is 26469, placing it at the 78th percentile among all CPUs, while the i7-11700K averages 25812, also at the 78th percentile. These are closely matched parts overall, but the nature of their victories reveals starkly different strengths.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic single result belongs to the i9-12900HK in the PassMark physics test, where it scores 1673 against the i7-11700K’s 1039, a 61% advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison and indicates a massive lead in simulation and physics-related workloads. Similarly, the i9-12900HK dominates the PassMark find prime numbers test, scoring 102 versus 66, a 54.5% margin. These two results alone show that the hybrid Alder Lake architecture excels at specific computational tasks that reward its core configuration.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i9-12900HK posts 2786 against 2082 for the i7-11700K, a 33.8% win. This is a substantial lead in an older but still relevant rendering benchmark. The i9-12900HK also wins Cinebench R20 multicore by a narrower 3.2% margin, scoring 8958 versus 8679. However, the newer Cinebench R23 multicore flips the result, with the i7-11700K scoring 20666 against 18288 for the i9-12900HK, an 11.5% victory for the desktop chip.

The i7-11700K’s biggest win comes in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 2917 against the i9-12900HK’s 1673, a massive 42.6% advantage. This is a surprising result given that both chips have a 5.00 GHz boost clock, but the Rocket Lake core design clearly delivers higher per-thread performance in this specific test. The i7-11700K also wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 17.7%, scoring 294 versus 242.

In 3DMark tests, the i7-11700K shows consistent multi-thread advantages. It wins 16-thread by 20.4% (8095 vs 6441), 8-thread by 18.8% (6370 vs 5172), and max-thread by 15.5% (8080 vs 6829). The i9-12900HK only wins 2-thread by 1.8% (1942 vs 1907) and single-thread by 4.9% (1025 vs 977) in this suite. The 4-thread test goes to the i7-11700K by 3.2% (3653 vs 3537).

The PassMark suite splits cleanly. The i9-12900HK wins floating point math by 24.4% (63572 vs 51119), data encryption by 11.6% (17445 vs 15638), integer math by 3.6% (89527 vs 86390), multithread by 5.3% (25697 vs 24408), and single-thread by 5.2% (3567 vs 3390). The i7-11700K wins data compression by 8.6% (322689 vs 294908), extended instructions by 23.4% (22964 vs 17583), and random string sorting by 10.3% (36755 vs 32983).

Where Each One Wins

The i9-12900HK is the clear victor in workloads that stress raw parallel throughput with specific instruction patterns. Its wins in PassMark physics, find prime numbers, and floating point math suggest it handles mathematically intensive tasks with high efficiency. The 61% physics win is particularly notable, as it indicates the hybrid core layout (14 cores, 20 threads) provides a significant edge in physics simulations. The chip also demonstrates superiority in data encryption, which often benefits from parallel execution across many cores.

The i7-11700K excels in scenarios where sustained high-frequency operation across fewer, more powerful cores matters. Its 42.6% single-core lead in Cinebench R23 is exceptional, and it repeats this pattern in Cinebench R15 single-core. The desktop chip also wins every 3DMark multi-thread test, suggesting it maintains higher sustained clocks under load than the mobile part. Its wins in data compression and random string sorting point to advantages in memory-bound sequential tasks, which align with its higher TDP of 125 watts versus the i9-12900HK’s 45 watts.

For gaming and general productivity, the split is nuanced. The i7-11700K’s strong 3DMark results and Cinebench R23 multicore win suggest it delivers consistent performance in workloads that scale with thread count but also benefit from high clocks. The i9-12900HK’s wins in PassMark multithread and integer math indicate it handles mixed parallel workloads well, but its losses in 3DMark hint at thermal or power constraints that limit sustained multi-thread performance in shorter bursts.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental architectural divide is node and core design. The i9-12900HK uses Intel’s 10 nm process with Alder Lake-H architecture, featuring a hybrid layout of performance and efficiency cores. This yields 14 cores and 20 threads. The i7-11700K uses the older 14 nm process with Rocket Lake architecture, providing 8 cores and 16 threads in a monolithic design. The process node difference explains much of the performance behavior: the 10 nm part can pack more cores into a mobile power envelope, while the 14 nm part relies on higher clocks and a larger thermal budget.

Cache configurations diverge significantly. The i9-12900HK has 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, while the i7-11700K has 512 KB per core. This is a 2.5x difference in per-core L2, which directly impacts the data locality and explains some of the i9-12900HK’s wins in encryption and physics tasks. The L3 cache also differs, with the i9-12900HK offering 24 MB shared versus 16 MB shared on the i7-11700K. Both have 80 KB of L1 per core, but the larger L2 and L3 on the mobile part give it a cache hierarchy advantage.

The memory support differs as well. The i9-12900HK supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the i7-11700K supports only DDR4. Both use a dual-channel memory bus. The i7-11700K has a specified memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while no such figure is recorded for the i9-12900HK. The integrated graphics also differ: the i9-12900HK includes Iris Xe 96EU, while the i7-11700K uses UHD Graphics 750.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are the most obvious difference: the i9-12900HK has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the i7-11700K has 8 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks differ substantially, with the i9-12900HK running at 2.50 GHz and the i7-11700K at 3.60 GHz. Both share a 5.00 GHz boost clock, which makes the single-core performance gap in Cinebench R23 particularly striking given identical boost specifications.

TDP is a major differentiator: the i9-12900HK is rated at 45 watts, while the i7-11700K is rated at 125 watts. This nearly 3x difference in power budget explains why the desktop chip can sustain higher clocks and win multi-threaded tests despite fewer cores. The socket also differs: the i9-12900HK uses Intel BGA 1744 (mobile), while the i7-11700K uses Intel Socket 1200 (desktop). The production statuses differ, with the i9-12900HK listed as Active and the i7-11700K as End-of-life.

The i7-11700K has a recorded launch MSRP of $399, while no launch MSRP is available for the i9-12900HK. Both processors have unlocked multipliers, and both use Gen 4 PCIe with 20 lanes (CPU only). Neither supports ECC memory. The release dates differ: the i9-12900HK launched on January 3, 2022, while the i7-11700K launched on March 15, 2021. The i9-12900HK has a die size of 217 mm², while no die size is recorded for the i7-11700K.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900HK has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the Intel Core i7-11700K has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What is the largest performance delta between the two?

A: The largest delta is in the PassMark physics test, where the i9-12900HK scores 1673 versus 1039 for the i7-11700K, a 61% advantage for the mobile chip.

Q: How do they compare in single-core performance?

A: The i7-11700K wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 42.6% (2917 vs 1673) and Cinebench R15 single-core by 17.7% (294 vs 242). However, the i9-12900HK wins 3DMark single-thread by 4.9% (1025 vs 977) and PassMark single-thread by 5.2% (3567 vs 3390).

Q: Which chip has a larger L3 cache?

A: The i9-12900HK has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-11700K has 16 MB. The i9-12900HK also has 1.25 MB of L2 per core versus 512 KB per core on the i7-11700K.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The i9-12900HK has a TDP of 45 watts, while the i7-11700K has a TDP of 125 watts. This reflects the mobile versus desktop market segmentation.

Q: Which processor supports DDR5 memory?

A: The i9-12900HK supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the i7-11700K supports only DDR4. Both use a dual-channel memory bus.