Intel Core i7-13700H vs Intel Core i9-12900H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data splits these two mobile processors into clear territories. The Intel Core i7-13700H wins 7 of the 23 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i9-12900H takes 16. That dominance is not uniform, though, and the margins tell a more interesting story than the raw win count.

The i7-13700H's victories are concentrated in the 3DMark suite, and they are consistently decisive. In 3DMark max threads, the i7-13700H scores 7502 against the i9-12900H's 6927, a 8.3% advantage. The 16-thread test shows a 6.6% lead (6885 vs 6457), and the 4-thread test shows 6.4% (3616 vs 3398). Even the 2-thread test, which often reflects lightly threaded responsiveness, goes to the i7 by 3% (1947 vs 1891). The single-thread 3DMark result is closer, 1015 vs 999, a 1.6% edge for the i7-13700H.

The i9-12900H answers back in the Cinebench and Passmark suites. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the i9 scores 15946.5 versus 15474, a 3% advantage. Cinebench R20 multicore shows a 2.8% lead (9501 vs 9231), and Cinebench R15 multicore favors the i9 by 3.1% (2576.5 vs 2496). The single-core Cinebench results are nearly tied: R23 single-core gives the i9 a 0.4% edge (1863.5 vs 1856), while R15 single-core goes to the i7 by 1.1% (269 vs 266). R20 single-core gives the i9 a 2.8% win (1341 vs 1303).

Passmark results lean heavily toward the i9-12900H. The largest margin is in random string sorting, where the i9 leads by 4.8% (35296 vs 33595). Find prime numbers shows a 3.7% gap (107 vs 103), multithread a 3.4% gap (27340 vs 26399), and single-thread a 3.3% gap (3717 vs 3594). Data compression goes to the i9 by 2.8% (316714 vs 307791), data encryption by 3.1% (18548 vs 17971), and extended instructions by 3% (18875 vs 18303). The smallest Passmark margin is integer math, with the i9 ahead by just 1.1% (93828 vs 92811).

The average benchmark scores reflect this split. The i9-12900H has an average benchmark score of 28003, placing it in the 80th percentile of all CPUs. The i7-13700H sits at 27355, in the 79th percentile. The i9 sits within 0.3% of the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340 and within 0.2% of the Intel Core i5-14500T in the nearest rivals data. The i7-13700H is 0.7% ahead of the Intel Core i5-14400T and 0.1% behind the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5355G.

Architecture Differences

Both chips are Intel mobile parts on the same 10 nm process, built by Intel, but they come from different generations. The i7-13700H uses the Raptor Lake architecture (Raptor Lake-H), released on 2023-01-03. The i9-12900H uses Alder Lake (Alder Lake-H), released exactly one year earlier on 2022-01-03.

The core counts are identical: 14 cores and 20 threads for both. The base clock differs slightly, with the i9-12900H starting at 2.50 GHz and the i7-13700H at 2.40 GHz. Both boost to 5.00 GHz, so the headline frequency is the same, but the starting point favors the i9.

The cache layout shows a meaningful change between generations. The L1 cache is identical at 80 KB per core. The L2 cache, however, is larger on the i7-13700H at 2 MB per core versus 1.25 MB per core on the i9-12900H. The L3 cache is the same at 24 MB shared. The larger L2 on the newer part likely contributes to its 3DMark wins, as those tests often benefit from quicker access to working data.

Die size is only recorded for the i9-12900H at 217 mm². The i7-13700H has no recorded die size, so a direct comparison is not possible from the data.

PCIe support is another generational shift. The i7-13700H supports PCIe Gen 5 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The i9-12900H supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). This means the newer part has a faster per-lane standard but fewer lanes. For storage and GPU connectivity, the i7 offers the newer standard, while the i9 offers more total lanes at the older standard.

Integrated graphics differ slightly in naming but not in execution units. The i7-13700H has Iris Xe Graphics 96EU, and the i9-12900H has Iris Xe 96EU. The recorded data shows the same 96EU count for both.

Memory support is identical: DDR4 and DDR5, dual-channel, no ECC support for either. Both parts are mobile segment, both are active production, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The launch MSRP is recorded for the i7-13700H at $502. No launch MSRP is recorded for the i9-12900H.

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Core i9-12900H as the better all-around performer, but the margin is not huge. The i9 wins 16 of 23 tests and holds a higher average benchmark score (28003 vs 27355) and a higher percentile ranking (80th vs 79th). Its strongest edges are in Passmark workloads, where it leads by 2.4% to 4.8% across most tests. If you are doing compression, encryption, integer math, or heavily threaded Passmark workloads, the i9-12900H is the clear choice.

However, the i7-13700H is not a weak alternative. It wins every 3DMark test in the head-to-head, with margins from 1.6% to 8.3%. The max-thread 3DMark result is its largest victory, and the 16-thread and 4-thread results are also comfortable. For gaming or other workloads that mirror 3DMark's threading patterns, the i7-13700H is the better pick.

The Cinebench results are close enough that neither chip has a decisive claim. The i9 leads in R15, R20, and R23 multicore by roughly 3%, while the single-core results split: the i7 wins R15 single-core by 1.1%, and the i9 wins R20 and R23 single-core by 2.8% and 0.4% respectively. These are small differences that would be hard to notice in real-world rendering tasks.

The choice comes down to workload mix. The i9-12900H is the safer pick for productivity and mixed workloads, given its Passmark and Cinebench wins. The i7-13700H is the pick for 3DMark-style threaded workloads and for anyone who wants the newer PCIe Gen 5 support and larger L2 cache. If you value the newer architecture and its associated features, the i7-13700H's 3DMark dominance is a strong counterargument to the i9's overall win count.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-13700H | Intel Core i9-12900H |

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

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Alder Lake |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-H | Alder Lake-H |

| Generation | Core i7 (Raptor Lake-H) | Core i9 (Alder Lake-H) |

| Release Date | 2023-01-03 | 2022-01-03 |

| Base Clock | 2.40 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 217 mm² |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 96EU | Iris Xe 96EU |

| Launch MSRP | $502 | Not recorded |

| Part Number | SRMJ1 | SRLD4 |

Identical fields include cores (14), threads (20), L1 cache (80 KB per core), L3 cache (24 MB shared), TDP (45), socket (Intel BGA 1744), process node (10 nm), foundry (Intel), memory support (DDR4, DDR5), memory bus (dual-channel), ECC support (false), market segment (mobile), production status (active), and multiplier unlock (false).

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900H has an average benchmark score of 28003, compared to 27355 for the Intel Core i7-13700H. The i9 also sits in the 80th percentile of all CPUs, while the i7 sits in the 79th.

Q: Does the i7-13700H win any benchmark categories?

A: Yes, the i7-13700H wins all seven 3DMark tests in the head-to-head comparison. Its largest win is 8.3% in 3DMark max threads (7502 vs 6927), and it also takes the 16-thread test by 6.6% (6885 vs 6457).

Q: How close are the single-thread results?

A: Very close. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i9-12900H leads by just 0.4% (1863.5 vs 1856). In Cinebench R15 single-core, the i7-13700H leads by 1.1% (269 vs 266). The 3DMark single-thread test favors the i7 by 1.6% (1015 vs 999).

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two chips?

A: The largest margin is in 3DMark max threads, where the i7-13700H leads by 8.3%. The next largest is the 16-thread 3DMark test at 6.6%. On the other side, the largest i9 advantage is 4.8% in Passmark random string sorting (35296 vs 33595).

Q: Do both CPUs support the same memory types?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration, and neither supports ECC memory.

Q: Which CPU has the newer PCIe standard?

A: The i7-13700H supports PCIe Gen 5 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the i9-12900H supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only).

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-13700H wins in 3DMark scenarios. Every recorded 3DMark test goes to this chip, from single-thread (1015 vs 999) to max-thread (7502 vs 6927). The 8.3% max-thread margin is the largest of any test in the head-to-head. This suggests the newer Raptor Lake architecture, with its larger 2 MB per core L2 cache, handles the threaded 3DMark workload better than the older Alder Lake design. If your primary use case is gaming or applications that scale like 3DMark, the i7-13700H is the stronger choice despite its lower average benchmark score.

The Intel Core i9-12900H wins in Passmark and Cinebench workloads. It takes 16 of 23 head-to-head tests, including every Passmark test and three of four Cinebench multicore tests. The Passmark wins range from 1.1% in integer math to 4.8% in random string sorting. The Cinebench multicore wins are consistent at roughly 3%. The i9 also wins Cinebench R20 single-core by 2.8% (1341 vs 1303), though the other single-core tests are nearly even. For productivity work, content creation, or anything that mirrors Passmark and Cinebench threading patterns, the i9-12900H is the better pick.

The i9-12900H also has a higher base clock (2.50 GHz vs 2.40 GHz) and more PCIe Gen 4 lanes (20 vs 8), which could matter for systems with multiple high-bandwidth devices. The i7-13700H counters with PCIe Gen 5 support and double the L2 cache per core.

For a balanced workload, the i9-12900H is the safer recommendation. For 3DMark-heavy or gaming-centric use, the i7-13700H's consistent wins and larger margins in that suite make it the more compelling option. The average benchmark scores (28003 vs 27355) and percentile rankings (80th vs 79th) both favor the i9, but the i7's 3DMark dominance is a legitimate reason to choose it when that workload matters most.