Intel Core i7-12700H vs Intel Core i9-12900HK Comparison

The Intel Core i7-12700H and Intel Core i9-12900HK are two closely matched Alder Lake-H mobile processors, but the benchmark data reveals a clear split in their strengths. The i7-12700H wins 10 of the 23 head-to-head tests, while the i9-12900HK takes 13. The overall average benchmark score slightly favors the i7-12700H at 26717 versus 26469 for the i9-12900HK, a difference of less than one percent. However, the individual test results show that these two chips are not simply interchangeable; each has distinct performance characteristics that matter for different workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive victory for the Intel Core i9-12900HK comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 18288 against the i7-12700H's 16307.5, a substantial 10.8% advantage. This is the single largest performance gap in the entire benchmark suite. The i9-12900HK also shows notable wins in 3DMark 4-thread (3537 vs 3268, a 7.6% lead) and 3DMark single-thread (1025 vs 949, a 7.4% lead). The i9-12900HK extends its advantage in 3DMark 2-thread with a 6.4% lead and in Cinebench R15 multi-core with a 6.5% lead. In PassMark physics, the i9-12900HK is 9.6% ahead, and it also wins in the find prime numbers test by 7.8%.

The Intel Core i7-12700H counters with its own set of wins, though the margins are generally smaller. Its biggest victory is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 1782 versus the i9-12900HK's 1673, a 6.5% lead. It also wins Cinebench R15 single-core by a 5.8% margin. In the broader PassMark suite, the i7-12700H wins floating point math (65075 vs 63572, a 2.4% lead), data compression (300594 vs 294908, a 1.9% lead), and extended instructions (17886 vs 17583, a 1.7% lead). It also edges out the i9-12900HK in random string sorting, integer math, and data encryption, with leads of 1.4%, 0.6%, and 0.7% respectively. In 3DMark max-threads, the i7-12700H wins by 1.6%, and in 3DMark 16-threads it takes a narrow 0.3% victory.

The results in the mid-range thread counts are particularly telling. While the i9-12900HK dominates at 2, 4, and 8 threads, the i7-12700H pulls ahead at max threads and 16 threads. This suggests the two processors manage their resources differently under varying load conditions. The i9-12900HK's strength is clearly in lightly-threaded and moderately-threaded workloads, while the i7-12700H holds its own or wins when all threads are saturated.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the same fundamental architecture: Alder Lake, specifically the Alder Lake-H mobile variant, manufactured on Intel's 10 nm process. They share the same die size of 217 mm² and are both produced by Intel. The core configuration is identical, with 14 cores and 20 threads each. The cache hierarchy is also the same, with 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache.

The key architectural difference lies in the clock speeds and the unlocked multiplier. The Intel Core i9-12900HK has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Intel Core i7-12700H operates at a lower base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The i9-12900HK also has an unlocked multiplier, meaning it can be overclocked, while the i7-12700H's multiplier is locked. This difference in clock speeds directly explains the i9-12900HK's advantage in single-threaded and lightly-threaded tests, as it can reach higher frequencies.

Both chips support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, and neither supports ECC memory. They share the same PCIe Gen 4 interface with 20 lanes (CPU only) and the same integrated graphics: Iris Xe 96EU. The part numbers differ (SRLD1 for the i7-12700H, SRLD3 for the i9-12900HK), and the i9-12900HK has a release date of 2022-01-03, while no release date is listed for the i7-12700H.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-12900HK is the clear winner for tasks that rely on high clock speeds and moderate thread counts. Its 7.4% lead in 3DMark single-thread and 7.6% lead in 3DMark 4-thread show it is better suited for applications that are sensitive to per-core performance. The 10.8% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core indicates that for heavily multi-threaded rendering workloads, the i9-12900HK provides a meaningful performance boost. PassMark physics, with a 9.6% advantage, and the find prime numbers test, with a 7.8% lead, further solidify the i9-12900HK's position for computational and simulation tasks.

The Intel Core i7-12700H wins in several areas that are often overlooked but matter for specific use cases. Its 6.5% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core is surprising and suggests that in some single-threaded scenarios, the i7-12700H can outperform its higher-tier sibling. The data compression win (1.9%), integer math win (0.6%), and floating point math win (2.4%) indicate that the i7-12700H is strong in general-purpose computing tasks. The wins in data encryption and extended instructions show it handles security-related and SIMD workloads efficiently. The i7-12700H also wins in 3DMark max-threads, suggesting it may be better for sustained all-core workloads in certain scenarios.

For gaming, the picture is mixed. The i9-12900HK's wins in 3DMark 2-thread, 4-thread, and 8-thread tests suggest it is better for games that use a handful of threads, which is common. However, the i7-12700H's win in 3DMark 16-threads and max-threads means it could be competitive in newer titles that scale to many cores. The i9-12900HK's single-thread advantage of 7.4% in 3DMark also helps in games that are bottlenecked by one primary thread.

Specification Differences

The two processors share most specifications, but the following fields differ:

• Base Clock: Intel Core i7-12700H at 2.30 GHz; Intel Core i9-12900HK at 2.50 GHz.
• Boost Clock: Intel Core i7-12700H at 4.70 GHz; Intel Core i9-12900HK at 5.00 GHz.
• Multiplier Unlocked: Intel Core i7-12700H is false; Intel Core i9-12900HK is true.
• Part Number: Intel Core i7-12700H is SRLD1; Intel Core i9-12900HK is SRLD3.
• Release Date: Not listed for the Intel Core i7-12700H; 2022-01-03 for the Intel Core i9-12900HK.

The following specifications are identical and do not differ: cores (14), threads (20), TDP (45), socket (Intel BGA 1744), architecture (Alder Lake), codename (Alder Lake-H), process node (10 nm), foundry (Intel), die size (217 mm²), L1 cache (80 KB per core), L2 cache (1.25 MB per core), L3 cache (24 MB shared), memory support (DDR4, DDR5), memory bus (Dual-channel), ECC memory (false), PCIe (Gen 4, 20 Lanes CPU only), integrated graphics (Iris Xe 96EU), market segment (Mobile), and production status (Active).

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900HK wins 3DMark single-thread with a score of 1025 versus 949 for the i7-12700H, a 7.4% lead. However, the i7-12700H wins Cinebench R23 single-core (1782 vs 1673, a 6.5% lead) and Cinebench R15 single-core (256 vs 242, a 5.8% lead). The result depends on the specific benchmark.

Q: How do the two processors compare in multi-threaded performance?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900HK is significantly ahead in Cinebench R23 multi-core, scoring 18288 versus 16307.5, a 10.8% lead. It also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 6.5% and PassMark multithread by 0.3%. Conversely, the i7-12700H wins 3DMark max-threads by 1.6% and 3DMark 16-threads by 0.3%.

Q: Are there any benchmark wins for the Intel Core i7-12700H?

A: Yes, the i7-12700H wins 10 out of 23 head-to-head tests. Its wins include Cinebench R23 single-core, Cinebench R15 single-core, PassMark data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, floating point math, integer math, random string sorting, 3DMark max-threads, and 3DMark 16-threads.

Q: Do the two chips have the same core and cache configuration?

A: Yes, both have 14 cores, 20 threads, 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. They also share the same 10 nm process node and 217 mm² die size.

Q: What is the main specification advantage of the Intel Core i9-12900HK?

A: The i9-12900HK has a higher base clock of 2.50 GHz versus 2.30 GHz, a higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz versus 4.70 GHz, and an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. The i7-12700H's multiplier is locked.

Q: Which chip has better integrated graphics?

A: Both processors feature identical integrated graphics: Iris Xe with 96 execution units. There is no difference in this specification between the two.