Intel Core i7-12650HX vs Intel Core i9-11980HK Comparison

The Intel Core i7-12650HX and Intel Core i9-11980HK are two mobile processors from different generations. The i7-12650HX belongs to the 12th Gen Alder Lake family, while the i9-11980HK is an 11th Gen Tiger Lake part. In the database's head-to-head comparison, the i7-12650HX wins 14 of 17 tests, while the i9-11980HK takes 3. The i7-12650HX also holds a higher average benchmark score of 31290 against 30422, and a higher percentile rank of 82 versus 81. These numbers suggest a clear overall advantage for the newer chip, but the i9-11980HK still shows strength in a few specific workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i7-12650HX dominates most of the head-to-head tests, often by substantial margins. Its largest win comes in Passmark floating point math, where it scores 58426 against 46262, a 26.3% advantage. This is a significant gap that points to a strong FPU design in the Alder Lake part. Single-thread performance also favors the i7-12650HX, with a Passmark single thread score of 3637 versus 3261, an 11.5% lead. Data encryption is another clear win: 15325 versus 13813, a 10.9% difference. Integer math shows a 4% edge (81810 vs 78682), and physics follows with 3.6% (1152 vs 1112). The Cinebench suite is consistently 2.3% higher for the i7-12650HX across all versions, including R15, R20, and R23, for both single-core and multi-core tests. For example, Cinebench R23 multi-core scores 19043 for the i7-12650HX versus 18617 for the i9-11980HK. Even the multithread Passmark test, which is close, still goes to the i7-12650HX at 22573 versus 22436, a 0.6% margin. Data compression is essentially a tie, with 266700 versus 266571, a 0% delta.

The i9-11980HK wins three tests, and its victories are notable. The largest is in Passmark find prime numbers, where it scores 100 against 74, a 26% advantage. This is a striking reversal, suggesting the older chip handles that specific integer workload much better. Extended instructions also favor the i9-11980HK, with 17654 versus 15856, a 10.2% lead. Random string sorting goes to the i9-11980HK as well, 31709 versus 29692, a 6.4% difference. These wins are concentrated in specialized instruction-heavy tasks, while the i7-12650HX takes the broader set of general-purpose and floating-point workloads.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results indicate a clear split in use cases. The i7-12650HX is the stronger choice for most productivity and content-creation tasks. Its wins in floating point math, integer math, encryption, physics, and all Cinebench tests point to a well-rounded processor that excels in rendering, video encoding, scientific simulations, and everyday multitasking. The 14-core, 20-thread configuration gives it a natural advantage in multi-threaded workloads, and the single-thread lead of 11.5% means it also handles lightly threaded applications with ease.

The i9-11980HK, despite being older and having fewer cores (8 cores, 16 threads), retains a niche. Its wins in find prime numbers, extended instructions, and random string sorting suggest it is better suited for tasks that rely on specific instruction sets or particular integer operations. For example, prime number generation is a classic benchmark for certain cryptographic or mathematical algorithms, and the i9-11980HK's 26% lead there is substantial. Extended instructions, which often involve SIMD or AVX workloads, also favor the older chip. Random string sorting, a memory-bound operation, goes to the i9-11980HK as well. So for users who run specialized scientific or data-processing software that depends on these patterns, the i9-11980HK could still be relevant.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations. The i7-12650HX is based on Alder Lake, while the i9-11980HK uses Tiger Lake. Both are built on Intel's 10 nm process, but the die sizes differ: the i7-12650HX measures 215 mm², while the i9-11980HK is 190 mm². The larger die likely accommodates the additional cores and the newer memory controller. Memory support is a key difference: the i7-12650HX supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the i9-11980HK only supports DDR4. This gives the newer chip a path to faster memory bandwidth, though the database does not list a specific bandwidth figure for the i7-12650HX. The i9-11980HK, however, has a listed memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The i7-12650HX offers PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the i9-11980HK provides PCIe Gen 4 with the same lane count. This means the i7-12650HX can take advantage of newer, faster storage and graphics interfaces. Integrated graphics are upgraded as well: the i7-12650HX has UHD Graphics 770, while the i9-11980HK has UHD Graphics 750. The production status is another differentiator: the i7-12650HX is active, while the i9-11980HK is end-of-life. Release dates reflect this, with the i7-12650HX launching on May 9, 2022, and the i9-11980HK on May 10, 2021.

Specification Differences

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

| Feature | Intel Core i7-12650HX | Intel Core i9-11980HK |

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

| Cores | 14 | 8 |

| Threads | 20 | 16 |

| Base clock | 2000 MHz | 2600 MHz |

| Boost clock | 4.70 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1964 | Intel BGA 1787 |

| Architecture | Alder Lake | Tiger Lake |

| Codename | Alder Lake-HX | Tiger Lake-H |

| Generation | Core i7 (Alder Lake-HX) | Core i9 (Tiger Lake-H) |

| Die size | 215 mm² | 190 mm² |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory bandwidth | Not listed | 51.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | UHD Graphics 750 |

| Production status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release date | 2022-05-09 | 2021-05-10 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $583 |

| Part number | Not listed | SRKSZ |

Both processors share the same L1 cache (80 KB per core), L2 cache (1.25 MB per core), and L3 cache (24 MB shared). They also have the same memory bus (dual-channel), the same ECC support (false), and both have an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The i7-12650HX has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the i9-11980HK has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The i9-11980HK boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the i7-12650HX reaches 4.70 GHz.

Q: Which processor supports DDR5 memory?

A: The i7-12650HX supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the i9-11980HK only supports DDR4.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The i7-12650HX scores 19043 versus 18617 for the i9-11980HK, a 2.3% advantage.

Q: Which processor has better single-thread performance?

A: The i7-12650HX scores 3637 in Passmark single thread, 11.5% higher than the i9-11980HK's 3261.

Q: Which processor is still in production?

A: The i7-12650HX is active, while the i9-11980HK is end-of-life.

The Verdict

The data points to the i7-12650HX as the stronger overall processor. It wins 14 of 17 head-to-head tests, holds a higher average benchmark score (31290 vs 30422), and ranks in the 82nd percentile versus the i9-11980HK's 81st. Its advantages in floating point math, encryption, integer math, and single-thread performance make it the better choice for most computing tasks, from content creation to general productivity. The additional cores and threads, along with support for DDR5 and PCIe Gen 5, give it a forward-looking feature set.

The i9-11980HK, however, is not without merit. Its wins in find prime numbers, extended instructions, and random string sorting show that it can outperform the newer chip in specific, instruction-heavy workloads. Its higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz also gives it a raw frequency advantage. For users who rely on those particular algorithms, the i9-11980HK may still be a viable option, especially if the workload is narrowly defined. But for a broad range of applications, the i7-12650HX is the clear winner, and its active production status means it remains a relevant choice in the current market.