Intel Core i7-13800H vs Intel Core i9-12900HX Comparison

The Intel Core i9-12900HX and Intel Core i7-13800H are two mobile processors that, despite belonging to different generations, land in nearly the same performance bracket. The aggregate data shows the i9-12900HX posting an average benchmark score of 35,003, while the i7-13800H trails by a hair at 34,988, a delta of 0%. Both sit at the 84th percentile among all CPUs, and their nearest rivals—the Intel Core 7 253PTE (34,962, +0.1%) and Intel Core i5-14500HX (35,094, -0.3%)—surround them tightly. This is a matchup defined by a multi-core powerhouse facing a single-core specialist, and the benchmark breakdown reveals a stark split in their capabilities.

The Verdict

The data paints a lopsided picture in raw performance terms. Across the 17 head-to-head benchmarks, the Intel Core i9-12900HX wins 16, with the sole loss coming in Cinebench R23 single-core. The i9-12900HX’s dominance is most pronounced in multi-threaded workloads: it leads the i7-13800H by 92.8% in Cinebench R15 multi-core (3,566 vs 1,850) and by 52.6% in Cinebench R20 multi-core (11,764 vs 7,710). Even in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the gap narrows, the i9-12900HX still holds a 26.1% advantage (23,150 vs 18,358). For users whose workloads scale across cores—rendering, compiling, or heavy data processing—the i9-12900HX is the clear choice, and the data suggests it is not close.

However, the i7-13800H claims a notable single-core victory. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 2,591 against the i9-12900HX’s 1,912.5, a -26.2% delta in favor of the i7. This is a significant outlier, as the i9-12900HX still wins the other single-threaded tests, including Passmark single-thread (3,745 vs 3,543, +5.7%) and Cinebench R15 single-core (278 vs 261, +6.5%). The i7-13800H also has a lower TDP (45W vs 55W), which may appeal to systems prioritizing power efficiency, but its performance profile is otherwise consistently behind. The verdict hinges on workload: the i9-12900HX for multi-core throughput, the i7-13800H for specific lightly-threaded tasks where its single-core boost shines.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has higher multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900HX wins every multi-core benchmark in the dataset. Its leads include 92.8% in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 52.6% in Cinebench R20 multi-core, and 26.1% in Cinebench R23 multi-core over the i7-13800H.

Q: Does the i7-13800H win any benchmark?

A: Yes, the i7-13800H takes Cinebench R23 single-core with a score of 2,591 against the i9-12900HX’s 1,912.5. This is the only head-to-head win out of 17 tests for the i7-13800H.

Q: How do their overall average scores compare?

A: The i9-12900HX has an average benchmark score of 35,003, while the i7-13800H scores 34,988. The delta between them is 0%, meaning they are statistically tied in aggregate performance.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The i9-12900HX has 16 cores and 24 threads, while the i7-13800H has 14 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The i7-13800H has a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, which is higher than the i9-12900HX’s 5.00 GHz.

Q: Can either processor be overclocked?

A: The i9-12900HX has an unlocked multiplier, meaning it can be overclocked. The i7-13800H does not have an unlocked multiplier.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel architectures. The i9-12900HX is built on Alder Lake, specifically the Alder Lake-HX variant, while the i7-13800H uses Raptor Lake, from the Raptor Lake-H series. Both are fabricated on Intel’s 10 nm process node, but the die sizes differ: the i9-12900HX measures 215 mm², whereas the i7-13800H is larger at 257 mm². The cache hierarchy also diverges. Both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core, but the i9-12900HX has 1.25 MB of L2 per core versus 2 MB per core on the i7-13800H. The shared L3 cache is 30 MB on the i9-12900HX and 24 MB on the i7-13800H.

The integrated graphics differ as well: the i9-12900HX uses UHD Graphics 770, while the i7-13800H features Iris Xe Graphics 96EU. The i9-12900HX supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the i7-13800H. PCIe lane allocation also varies, with the i9-12900HX offering Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only) versus the i7-13800H’s Gen 5 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The i9-12900HX is part of the Core 12th Gen series with a release date of May 2022, while the i7-13800H belongs to Core 13th Gen, released in January 2023. The i9-12900HX’s part number is SRLGK, and the i7-13800H’s is SRMJ2.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets reveal several key differences between the two mobile chips. The i9-12900HX features 16 cores and 24 threads, compared to the i7-13800H’s 14 cores and 20 threads. Base clocks are 2.30 GHz for the i9-12900HX and 2.50 GHz for the i7-13800H, but the boost clock favors the i7 at 5.20 GHz versus 5.00 GHz. Thermal design power is 55W for the i9-12900HX and 45W for the i7-13800H. The sockets are incompatible: the i9-12900HX uses Intel BGA 1964, while the i7-13800H uses Intel BGA 1744.

The die size is 215 mm² for the i9-12900HX and 257 mm² for the i7-13800H. L2 cache per core is 1.25 MB on the i9-12900HX and 2 MB on the i7-13800H, while L3 cache is 30 MB shared on the i9 and 24 MB shared on the i7. ECC memory support is present on the i9-12900HX but not on the i7-13800H. PCIe lanes are 20 for the i9-12900HX and 8 for the i7-13800H, both Gen 5. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 770 on the i9-12900HX and Iris Xe Graphics 96EU on the i7-13800H. The multiplier is unlocked on the i9-12900HX but locked on the i7-13800H. The i9-12900HX has a launch MSRP of $606, and the i7-13800H has a launch MSRP of $457.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clear pattern of dominance for the i9-12900HX in nearly every category. The largest margin comes in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the i9-12900HX scores 3,566 against the i7-13800H’s 1,850, a 92.8% advantage. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows a 52.6% lead (11,764 vs 7,710), and Cinebench R23 multi-core shows a 26.1% lead (23,150 vs 18,358). Even in single-core tests, the i9-12900HX wins Cinebench R15 single-core (278 vs 261, +6.5%) and Cinebench R20 single-core (1,660 vs 1,088, +52.6%).

The Passmark suite reinforces the i9-12900HX’s superiority. Data compression shows 400,636 vs 299,179 (+33.9%), data encryption shows 22,932 vs 17,726 (+29.4%), and extended instructions show 24,315 vs 18,011 (+35%). Floating point math is 84,410 vs 66,579 (+26.8%), integer math is 113,416 vs 92,589 (+22.5%), and multithread performance is 33,158 vs 26,545 (+24.9%). Random string sorting yields 43,877 vs 33,188 (+32.2%), and find prime numbers yields 132 vs 115 (+14.8%). Physics tests are closer, with 2,012 vs 1,924 (+4.6%), and single-thread Passmark shows 3,745 vs 3,543 (+5.7%).

The one exception is Cinebench R23 single-core, where the i7-13800H posts 2,591 versus the i9-12900HX’s 1,912.5, a -26.2% delta. This is the only benchmark where the i7-13800H emerges victorious, and it stands as a notable anomaly given the i9-12900HX wins every other single-threaded test.

Where Each One Wins

The i9-12900HX is the clear winner in multi-threaded scenarios, making it the better choice for workloads that leverage all available cores. Its 16 cores and 24 threads provide substantial headroom over the i7-13800H’s 14 cores and 20 threads. The data shows double-digit percentage leads across the board in multi-core Cinebench tests and Passmark multithread, with margins ranging from 22.5% in integer math to 92.8% in Cinebench R15 multi-core. This suggests the i9-12900HX excels in rendering, video encoding, scientific computing, and other heavily parallel tasks. Its larger 30 MB L3 cache and 20 PCIe lanes also give it an edge in data-intensive and expansion-heavy workloads.

The i7-13800H wins only in Cinebench R23 single-core, where its 5.20 GHz boost clock and 2 MB L2 cache per core help it outpace the i9-12900HX by 26.2%. This could translate to an advantage in lightly-threaded applications that are highly dependent on a single core’s clock speed, such as certain legacy games or specific scripting tasks. The i7-13800H’s lower 45W TDP also makes it a more power-conscious option for thinner laptops, though the data does not quantify battery life or thermal performance. Its smaller die size (257 mm² vs 215 mm²) and newer release date (January 2023) suggest a more refined design, but the benchmark results do not reflect a broader performance advantage. For users who prioritize raw multi-threaded throughput, the i9-12900HX is the definitive pick; for those targeting a specific single-core workload and lower power draw, the i7-13800H holds a narrow niche.