Intel Core i7-12850HX vs Intel Core i9-12900 Comparison

FAQ

Q: What is the core and thread count of both processors?

A: Both the Intel Core i9-12900 and the Intel Core i7-12850HX feature 16 cores and 24 threads.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900 reaches a boost clock of 5.10 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-12850HX tops out at 4.80 GHz.

Q: How do they compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Core i9-12900 scores 18628 points, which is 14.3% higher than the Core i7-12850HX's score of 16301.5 points.

Q: Is there any benchmark where the Core i7-12850HX wins?

A: Yes, in PassMark's physics test, the Core i7-12850HX scores 1813 versus 1730 for the Core i9-12900, a 4.6% advantage.

Q: Do both processors use the same socket?

A: No, the Core i9-12900 uses Intel Socket 1700 (desktop), while the Core i7-12850HX uses Intel BGA 1964 (mobile).

Q: What is the L3 cache size difference?

A: The Core i9-12900 has 30 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core i7-12850HX has 25 MB.

Architecture Differences

Both processors belong to Intel's 12th Gen Core family and share the Alder Lake architecture, but they target different market segments. The Core i9-12900 is codenamed Alder Lake-S and is designed for desktop systems, while the Core i7-12850HX is codenamed Alder Lake-HX and is built for high-performance mobile workstations. This distinction is fundamental: the desktop part mounts on Intel Socket 1700, whereas the mobile part uses Intel BGA 1964.

The manufacturing process is identical at 10 nm, with the same foundry (Intel) and the same die size of 215 mm². Both also share the per-core L1 cache of 80 KB and per-core L2 cache of 1.25 MB. The L3 cache, however, differs: the Core i9-12900 carries 30 MB shared, while the Core i7-12850HX has 25 MB. This 5 MB difference can affect workloads that rely heavily on shared cache access.

Clock speeds diverge as well. The Core i9-12900 has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost of 5.10 GHz, while the Core i7-12850HX runs at 2.10 GHz base and 4.80 GHz boost. The desktop chip also has a higher TDP at 65 watts versus 55 watts for the mobile part, reflecting the different thermal envelopes of desktop versus laptop platforms.

Memory support is similar with DDR4 and DDR5, and both are dual-channel. The Core i9-12900 lists a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while the mobile part does not have a recorded bandwidth figure in the database. ECC memory is supported on both. PCIe lanes differ: the Core i9-12900 offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Core i7-12850HX provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes, giving the mobile part more potential connectivity for workstation tasks.

Both integrate UHD Graphics 770, and both have unlocked multipliers. The release dates differ, with the desktop chip arriving on 2022-01-03 and the mobile chip on 2022-05-09.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear pattern: the Core i9-12900 wins 16 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with the Core i7-12850HX taking only a single victory. The largest margin comes in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the Core i9-12900 scores 3299 against 2679, a 23.1% advantage. This is a substantial lead, suggesting that sustained multi-threaded loads heavily favor the desktop part.

Cinebench R23 multi-core reinforces this picture, with the Core i9-12900 at 18628 versus 16301.5, a 14.3% lead. The R20 multi-core test shows a 10% gap (11994 vs 10907), and R15 single-core is nearly tied at 0.6% (262 vs 260.5). The single-core margins grow in newer tests: R20 single-core shows a 10% difference (1693 vs 1539), and R23 single-core shows 6.1% (1825 vs 1720.5).

In PassMark tests, the Core i9-12900 leads across nearly every category. Integer math shows an 18% advantage (127512 vs 108076), floating-point math is 15.3% ahead (91514 vs 79337), and data compression is 11.5% higher (407899 vs 365829). Extended instructions also favor the desktop chip by 11.5%, and data encryption by 9.9%. The multithread score is 9.7% higher (33608 vs 30627), while single-thread is 8.7% ahead (4003 vs 3683). Random string sorting shows a 9.3% lead, and find prime numbers is 9% higher.

The one exception is PassMark physics, where the Core i7-12850HX scores 1813 versus 1730 for the Core i9-12900, a 4.6% margin. This is an interesting outlier, possibly reflecting the mobile chip's different power management behavior in that specific workload. It is a narrow win, though, and does not offset the overall trend.

When compared to the broader database, the Core i9-12900 sits at the 88th percentile among all CPUs, and the Core i7-12850HX also sits at the 88th percentile. Their average benchmark scores are 42906 for the desktop part and 41779 for the mobile part, placing them very close in overall standing. The nearest rival to the Core i9-12900 is the Core i9-12900KF with a delta of 0.2%, followed by the Core Ultra 9 386H at -0.7%. For the Core i7-12850HX, the nearest rival is the Core 7 251TE at 0.3%, with the Core i7-14700T at -0.3%.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several recorded specifications:

| Field | Core i9-12900 | Core i7-12850HX |

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

| Base Clock | 2.40 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.10 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 55 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 1964 |

| Codename | Alder Lake-S | Alder Lake-HX |

| Generation | Core i9 (Alder Lake-S) | Core i7 (Alder Lake-HX) |

| L3 Cache | 30 MB shared | 25 MB shared |

| Memory Bandwidth | 76.8 GB/s | Not recorded |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2022-01-03 | 2022-05-09 |

| Launch MSRP | $519 | $428 |

| Part Number | SRL4KQXQ3 | SRLGH |

Both share the same core/thread count, L1 and L2 cache sizes, process node, foundry, die size, memory support (DDR4, DDR5), dual-channel memory bus, ECC support, integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), and unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward conclusion: the Intel Core i9-12900 is the stronger performer overall. It wins 16 of 17 benchmark comparisons, with multi-core leads ranging from 10% to 23.1% depending on the test. The single-core advantage is smaller but consistent, varying from 0.6% in Cinebench R15 to 10% in R20. The desktop chip also benefits from a higher boost clock (5.10 GHz vs 4.80 GHz) and more L3 cache (30 MB vs 25 MB).

The Core i7-12850HX is not without merit. Its single win in PassMark physics (4.6% ahead) shows that the mobile part can outperform in niche workloads. It also has more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16), which may matter for specific workstation configurations. However, the overall benchmark record favors the desktop part by a wide margin.

Both processors sit at the 88th percentile of all CPUs, and their average scores (42906 vs 41779) are close in the grand scheme. The Core i9-12900's nearest rivals include the Core i9-12900KF (0.2% delta) and the Core Ultra 9 386H (-0.7%), while the Core i7-12850HX is bracketed by the Core 7 251TE (0.3%) and the Core i7-14700T (-0.3%). This suggests that both chips are well-positioned within their respective segments, but the desktop part holds a clear advantage in raw compute.

Where Each One Wins

The Core i9-12900 wins in every multi-core rendering test recorded, including Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. It also dominates PassMark's compute-heavy workloads: integer math (18% lead), floating-point math (15.3%), data compression (11.5%), extended instructions (11.5%), data encryption (9.9%), multithread (9.7%), random string sorting (9.3%), and find prime numbers (9%). For single-threaded tasks, it leads in Cinebench R15, R20, R23, and PassMark single-thread by margins of 0.6% to 10%.

The Core i7-12850HX wins only in PassMark physics, with a 4.6% margin. This suggests the mobile chip may have a slight edge in physics simulation workloads, possibly due to different power delivery characteristics or thermal management in that specific test. It is a narrow victory, but it is the only recorded case where the mobile part comes out ahead.

For users choosing between these two, the decision hinges on platform and workload. The desktop Core i9-12900 offers consistently higher compute throughput, especially in multi-threaded scenarios, and is the clear choice for rendering, encoding, or heavy math workloads. The mobile Core i7-12850HX, while generally slower, provides a rare physics win and comes with more PCIe lanes, which could be relevant for certain mobile workstation builds. The data does not support picking the mobile chip for overall performance, but its single benchmark victory and additional PCIe connectivity give it a distinct, if limited, use case.