Intel Core i7-11850HE vs Intel Core i9-12900TE Comparison

The Intel Core i7-11850HE and Intel Core i9-12900TE are two very different interpretations of a 35-watt processor. The former is a mobile Tiger Lake-H chip built for compact laptops, while the latter is a desktop Alder Lake-S part designed for power-limited small-form-factor systems. Benchmark data shows a remarkably tight race, with the i9-12900TE winning every single head-to-head test, but by margins so slim—never more than 0.4%—that the two effectively trade blows in real-world workloads. The i7-11850HE counters with a Geekbench multicore score of 8576, a result the i9-12900TE lacks entirely in the dataset, giving the older chip a clear win in that specific metric. The choice between them hinges on platform, not performance.

Where Each One Wins

The i9-12900TE takes the crown in every Cinebench test recorded. It leads the i7-11850HE by 0.3% in Cinebench R15 multicore (1759 vs 1753), R20 multicore (7333 vs 7308), and R23 multicore (17461 vs 17402). Single-core results follow the same pattern: a 0.4% lead in R15 (248 vs 247), R20 (1035 vs 1031), and R23 (2465 vs 2456). These are statistical ties in practice, but the data is unambiguous—across six head-to-head benchmarks, the i9-12900TE wins all six.

The i7-11850HE’s sole claim to a win comes from Geekbench, where it posts a multicore score of 8576 and a single-core score of 1984. Since the i9-12900TE has no Geekbench entry in the comparison set, the i7-11850HE holds that territory uncontested. For users whose workflow relies on Geekbench-style integer and floating-point tests, the mobile chip is the only one with a verified score.

The i7-11850HE also wins on portability. It is a mobile-market segment part on an Intel BGA 1787 socket, soldered directly to the board. The i9-12900TE is a desktop chip on Intel Socket 1700, meaning it can be swapped in a standard desktop motherboard. If the requirement is a thin-and-light laptop, the i9-12900TE is not an option. If the requirement is a mini PC or low-power desktop, the i7-11850HE is not the intended fit.

Architecture Differences

These processors come from different generations and design philosophies. The i7-11850HE is Tiger Lake-H, a 10 nm Intel chip released on 2021-08-02, with 8 cores and 16 threads. It uses a monolithic architecture with a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The die measures 190 mm², and it carries 24 MB of shared L3 cache. Its integrated graphics are UHD Graphics (Xe-LP), and it supports DDR4 memory over a dual-channel bus with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. PCIe connectivity is Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU.

The i9-12900TE is Alder Lake-S, also on Intel’s 10 nm process, but released later on 2022-01-03. It is a hybrid design with 16 cores and 24 threads, combining performance and efficiency cores. The base clock is listed at 1100.00 MHz, which reflects the efficiency-core clock, while the boost clock reaches 4.80 GHz. The die is larger at 215 mm², and L3 cache grows to 30 MB shared. It uses UHD Graphics 770, supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory (dual-channel), and moves to PCIe Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes.

The memory support is a major differentiator. The i7-11850HE is locked to DDR4, while the i9-12900TE can run either DDR4 or DDR5. The i7-11850HE has a specified memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s; the i9-12900TE’s bandwidth is not listed in the data, so no direct comparison is possible. Neither part supports ECC memory.

The i9-12900TE has an unlocked multiplier, meaning overclocking is possible on a compatible motherboard. The i7-11850HE’s multiplier is locked. The i9-12900TE also has a higher launch MSRP of $494, compared to $400 for the i7-11850HE. Both parts are listed as Active in production. The i7-11850HE’s part number is SRKWZ; the i9-12900TE’s part number is not provided.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The closest race in the dataset is Cinebench R15 multicore, where the i9-12900TE scores 1759 against the i7-11850HE’s 1753, a delta of just 0.3%. That pattern repeats across the entire Cinebench suite. In R20 multicore, the i9-12900TE posts 7333 versus 7308, again a 0.3% margin. In R23 multicore, it scores 17461 versus 17402, for a 0.3% advantage. The consistency suggests the i9-12900TE’s extra cores and threads (16/24 vs 8/16) are offset by the i7-11850HE’s higher base clock (2.10 GHz vs 1100.00 MHz) and tighter power management in the mobile design.

Single-core Cinebench results are equally close. The i9-12900TE leads R15 single-core with 248 versus 247, a 0.4% delta. In R20 single-core, it scores 1035 against 1031, also 0.4%. R23 single-core shows 2465 versus 2456, again 0.4%. The i9-12900TE’s higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz, compared to 4.70 GHz on the i7-11850HE, likely explains these marginal wins.

The only benchmark where the i7-11850HE has a recorded edge is Geekbench, where it scores 8576 multicore and 1984 single-core. No Geekbench results exist for the i9-12900TE in this dataset, so a direct head-to-head is impossible. However, the i7-11850HE’s Geekbench multicore score places it well above its Cinebench standing, suggesting the mobile chip handles certain workloads better than its Cinebench numbers imply.

Looking at the broader competitive landscape, both chips sit at the 60th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they are mid-pack performers despite their flagship naming. The i7-11850HE’s average benchmark score is 5095, with nearest rivals including the AMD EPYC 7262 (5109, delta -0.3%), Intel Xeon W-2155 (5072, delta 0.5%), Intel Core i9-7900X (5120, delta -0.5%), and AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5750GE (5070, delta 0.5%). The i9-12900TE’s average score is 5050, with rivals like the Intel Core i9-9820X (5049, delta 0%), Intel Xeon Gold 6334 (5043, delta 0.1%), AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5750GE (5070, delta -0.4%), and Intel Xeon W-2155 (5072, delta -0.4%). These numbers show that both chips are clustered with previous-generation high-end desktop and server parts, neither breaking away from the pack.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split by platform. For a laptop or any soldered-BGA application, the Intel Core i7-11850HE is the only choice. It offers 8 cores, 16 threads, a 4.70 GHz boost clock, and a Geekbench multicore score of 8576, all within a 35 W TDP. Its mobile segment designation and BGA 1787 socket make it purpose-built for that role.

For a desktop system where the CPU can be socketed and potentially overclocked, the Intel Core i9-12900TE is the superior pick. It wins all six Cinebench head-to-head tests, offers 16 cores and 24 threads, supports DDR5 memory, has PCIe Gen 5 connectivity, and includes an unlocked multiplier. Its 30 MB of L3 cache and 4.80 GHz boost clock provide a slight edge in every measured Cinebench workload.

The performance gap between the two is negligible in Cinebench—under half a percent in every test. The i9-12900TE does not offer a meaningful speed advantage despite its larger core count. The i7-11850HE does not lose any meaningful ground despite being a mobile part. The deciding factor is not performance but form factor and platform features. If you need a desktop CPU with modern memory and PCIe support, take the i9-12900TE. If you need a mobile CPU that fits a BGA socket, take the i7-11850HE. Neither will disappoint on raw speed, but only one fits each physical context.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900TE scores 17461, while the Intel Core i7-11850HE scores 17402. The i9-12900TE leads by 0.3%.

Q: Does the i7-11850HE have any benchmark where it wins?

A: Yes. The i7-11850HE has a Geekbench multicore score of 8576 and a single-core score of 1984. The i9-12900TE has no Geekbench results in the dataset, so the i7-11850HE is the only one with verified Geekbench performance.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each chip?

A: The Intel Core i7-11850HE has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core i9-12900TE has 16 cores and 24 threads.

Q: Which CPU supports DDR5 memory?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The Intel Core i7-11850HE supports only DDR4.

Q: Are these processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900TE has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel Core i7-11850HE does not; its multiplier is locked.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare to rival CPUs?

A: The i7-11850HE has an average score of 5095, with its closest rival being the AMD EPYC 7262 at 5109 (a -0.3% delta). The i9-12900TE has an average score of 5050, with its closest rival being the Intel Core i9-9820X at 5049 (a 0% delta). Both chips sit at the 60th percentile of all CPUs.