Intel Core i7-12850HX vs Intel Core i9-12950HX Comparison

The Intel Core i9-12950HX and Intel Core i7-12850HX are two closely related Alder Lake-HX mobile processors, both built on the same 10 nm process and sharing a 16-core, 24-thread configuration. Despite their similarities, benchmark data reveals a consistent performance hierarchy, with the i9-12950HX winning 16 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons. The data shows that the i9-12950HX leads in almost every measurable workload, though the margin varies dramatically depending on the test, ranging from a negligible 0.6% to a commanding 24.3%.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive victory for the Intel Core i9-12950HX comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 20263 against the i7-12850HX’s 16301.5, a substantial 24.3% advantage. This is the single largest delta in the entire benchmark suite, indicating that the i9’s higher boost clock and larger cache deliver outsized gains in heavily threaded, sustained rendering workloads. A similar pattern emerges in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the i9-12950HX posts 3107 versus 2679, a 16% lead. The gap narrows considerably in Cinebench R20 multi-core, with the i9-12950HX scoring 11061 against 10907, a modest 1.4% difference, suggesting that R20 is less sensitive to the architectural differences between the two.

Single-core performance tells a more mixed story. The i9-12950HX wins Cinebench R23 single-core with 1885 points against 1720.5, a 9.6% lead, and Cinebench R15 single-core with 274 versus 260.5, a 5.2% margin. However, in Cinebench R20 single-core, the advantage shrinks to just 1.4%, with scores of 1561 and 1539. PassMark’s single-thread test shows a 2.6% gap, with the i9-12950HX at 3778 and the i7-12850HX at 3683. These results indicate that the i9’s higher 5.00 GHz boost clock provides a tangible, but not overwhelming, single-threaded edge.

Looking at the PassMark suite, the i9-12950HX’s wins are mostly narrow but consistent. In integer math, it scores 109586 against 108076, a 1.4% gain. Floating point math shows a 1.3% lead, with 80402 versus 79337. Data compression is nearly a tie, with the i9-12950HX at 367930 and the i7-12850HX at 365829, a 0.6% difference. Data encryption also favors the i9-12950HX, 21395 to 21120, a 1.3% margin. The largest PassMark delta for the i9-12950HX is in find prime numbers, where it scores 135 versus 111, a 21.6% advantage. Physics simulation also shows a strong i9 lead, with 2084 against 1813, a 14.9% gap. Random string sorting favors the i9-12950HX by 2.2%, with scores of 41209 and 40327.

The sole victory for the Intel Core i7-12850HX is in PassMark extended instructions, where it scores 22227 against the i9-12950HX’s 22163, a 0.3% margin. This is a narrow win, but it is the only benchmark where the i7-12850HX outpaces its higher-tier sibling. In PassMark multithread, the i9-12950HX wins 31673 to 30627, a 3.4% lead. Overall, the i9-12950HX’s average benchmark score is 42487, while the i7-12850HX sits at 41779, a difference of about 1.7%. Both CPUs rank in the 88th percentile among all CPUs, placing them in the same performance tier despite the i9’s consistent head-to-head wins.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share the same fundamental architecture, both being built on Intel’s Alder Lake-HX platform with a 10 nm process node and a die size of 215 mm². They both feature 16 cores and 24 threads, with an identical L1 cache of 80 KB per core and L2 cache of 1.25 MB per core. The primary architectural distinction lies in the L3 cache: the i9-12950HX has 30 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-12850HX has 25 MB. This 5 MB difference is likely a key driver behind the i9’s superior multi-core performance, particularly in Cinebench R23 where the 24.3% delta is most pronounced.

Clock speeds also differ. The i9-12950HX has a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, while the i7-12850HX operates at a 2.10 GHz base and 4.80 GHz boost. The 200 MHz advantage in both base and boost clocks gives the i9-12950HX a consistent edge in frequency-sensitive workloads. Both processors share the same 55 W TDP, socket (Intel BGA 1964), memory support (DDR4, DDR5), dual-channel memory bus, ECC memory support, PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes, and integrated UHD Graphics 770. They also share the same release date of 2022-05-09 and are both marked as Active in production.

One notable difference beyond raw specifications is the multiplier lock. The i9-12950HX has a locked multiplier (multiplierUnlocked: false), while the i7-12850HX has an unlocked multiplier (multiplierUnlocked: true). This means the i7-12850HX offers overclocking headroom that the i9-12950HX does not, potentially allowing users to close the performance gap through manual tuning. The part numbers also differ, with the i9-12950HX using SRLGG and the i7-12850HX using SRLGH. The launch MSRP for the i9-12950HX is $590, while the i7-12850HX is listed at $428.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-12950HX is the clear winner for multi-threaded productivity and content creation workloads. Its 24.3% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 16% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core make it the stronger choice for video rendering, 3D modeling, and batch processing. The 21.6% advantage in PassMark find prime numbers and 14.9% lead in physics simulation further cement its position for scientific computing and simulation tasks. The i9-12950HX also wins in single-threaded scenarios, with a 9.6% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core, making it slightly better for lightly-threaded applications like legacy software or certain games.

The Intel Core i7-12850HX, despite losing most benchmarks, has its own niche. Its sole win in PassMark extended instructions (0.3% ahead) suggests it may have a marginal edge in workloads that leverage specific instruction sets, though the difference is within noise. More importantly, the i7-12850HX’s unlocked multiplier is a significant advantage for enthusiasts who prioritize overclocking. With the same 16-core/24-thread configuration and 25 MB of L3 cache, the i7-12850HX can be tuned to approach i9-12950HX performance in many scenarios, potentially offering a more flexible platform for users willing to invest time in manual tuning. For users who do not overclock, the i9-12950HX is the superior choice across nearly every benchmark, but the i7-12850HX remains relevant for those who value customization.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i9-12950HX wins all multi-core benchmarks, with the largest margin in Cinebench R23 multi-core (20263 vs 16301.5, a 24.3% lead) and the smallest in Cinebench R20 multi-core (11061 vs 10907, a 1.4% lead).

Q: Is there any benchmark where the i7-12850HX beats the i9-12950HX?

A: Yes, the i7-12850HX wins PassMark extended instructions with a score of 22227 versus 22163, a 0.3% margin. This is the only win for the i7-12850HX out of 17 head-to-head comparisons.

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

A: The i9-12950HX leads in all single-core tests, with margins ranging from 1.4% in Cinebench R20 single-core (1561 vs 1539) to 9.6% in Cinebench R23 single-core (1885 vs 1720.5). PassMark single-thread shows a 2.6% gap (3778 vs 3683).

Q: What are the key clock speed differences?

A: The i9-12950HX has a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, while the i7-12850HX has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz.

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

A: No, the L3 cache differs. The i9-12950HX has 30 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-12850HX has 25 MB. Both have identical L1 (80 KB per core) and L2 (1.25 MB per core) caches.

Q: Can the i7-12850HX be overclocked?

A: Yes, the i7-12850HX has an unlocked multiplier, while the i9-12950HX has a locked multiplier. This means the i7-12850HX offers overclocking capability that the i9-12950HX does not.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i9-12950HX | Intel Core i7-12850HX |

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

| Base Clock | 2.30 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| L3 Cache | 30 MB (shared) | 25 MB (shared) |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Launch MSRP | $590 | $428 |

| Part Number | SRLGG | SRLGH |

All other specifications, including cores (16), threads (24), TDP (55 W), socket (Intel BGA 1964), process node (10 nm), die size (215 mm²), memory support (DDR4, DDR5), memory bus (Dual-channel), ECC memory support, PCIe (Gen 5, 20 Lanes), integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), market segment (Mobile), and production status (Active) are identical between the two processors.