Intel Core i9-11950H vs Intel Core i9-12900H Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data presents a clear split between these two mobile processors. The Intel Core i9-12900H wins the majority of head-to-head comparisons, taking 15 of 17 benchmark contests. Its victories are often substantial, with leads reaching as high as 42.2% in PassMark physics. The Intel Core i9-11950H, however, retains a decisive advantage in two specific Cinebench R23 workloads. The R23 multicore test shows the older chip ahead by 8.4%, while the R23 singlecore result is its most striking win, with a 30.9% margin over the newer part. For users prioritizing the specific rendering workloads reflected in Cinebench R23, the 11950H is the stronger choice. For virtually every other measured task, including integer math, floating point math, data compression, and encryption, the 12900H is the superior processor. The 12900H also posts a higher PassMark single-thread score (3717 vs. 3141), which suggests better general responsiveness despite its loss in the R23 singlecore test.

Architecture Differences

The two processors belong to different Intel generations and use distinct architectures. The Core i9-11950H is a Tiger Lake-H part, built on the Tiger Lake architecture. The Core i9-12900H is an Alder Lake-H part, using the Alder Lake architecture. Both are manufactured by Intel on a 10 nm process node. The die size differs, with the 11950H measuring 190 mm² and the 12900H larger at 217 mm². The core configuration is a major point of divergence. The 11950H has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the 12900H has 14 cores and 20 threads. The 12900H therefore brings a hybrid core arrangement, which is not explicitly detailed in the data but is implied by the higher core and thread counts. The base clock of the 11950H is 2.10 GHz, while the 12900H starts higher at 2.50 GHz. Both parts share the same 5.00 GHz boost clock. Cache hierarchies are identical in structure: both have 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. Memory support differs. The 11950H supports DDR4 only, while the 12900H supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The 11950H has a recorded memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s; no bandwidth figure is recorded for the 12900H. Both use a dual-channel memory bus and lack ECC support. PCIe capability is the same: Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ, with the 11950H featuring UHD Graphics 750 and the 12900H featuring Iris Xe 96EU. The 11950H has a TDP of 35 watts, while the 12900H has a TDP of 45 watts. They use different sockets: Intel BGA 1787 for the 11950H and Intel BGA 1744 for the 12900H. The 11950H is marked as end-of-life, while the 12900H is active. The 11950H was released in May 2021; the 12900H followed in January 2022. The launch MSRP for the 11950H is $556. No launch MSRP is recorded for the 12900H.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900H has 14 cores and 20 threads. The Intel Core i9-11950H has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Does the older processor beat the newer one in any benchmark?

A: Yes. The Core i9-11950H wins Cinebench R23 multicore (17279 vs. 15946.5) and Cinebench R23 singlecore (2439 vs. 1863.5). It also holds a higher average benchmark score of 28332 compared to 28003 for the 12900H.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The biggest single margin is in PassMark physics, where the 12900H leads by 42.2% (1753 vs. 1013). The second largest is in floating point math, with the 12900H ahead by 35% (67940 vs. 44137).

Q: Are the cache sizes identical?

A: Yes. Both processors have 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3.

Q: Do both processors use the same memory technology?

A: No. The 11950H supports DDR4 only. The 12900H supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: Which processor has a higher TDP?

A: The Core i9-12900H has a TDP of 45 watts. The Core i9-11950H has a TDP of 35 watts.

Q: What is the production status of each chip?

A: The Core i9-11950H is end-of-life. The Core i9-12900H is active.

Specification Differences

The table below lists the recorded specification fields where the two processors differ.

| Specification | Intel Core i9-11950H | Intel Core i9-12900H |

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

| Series | Core 11th Gen | Core 12th Gen |

| Cores | 8 | 14 |

| Threads | 16 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1787 | Intel BGA 1744 |

| Architecture | Tiger Lake | Alder Lake |

| Codename | Tiger Lake-H | Alder Lake-H |

| Die Size | 190 mm² | 217 mm² |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | Not recorded |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 750 | Iris Xe 96EU |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2021-05-10 | 2022-01-03 |

| Launch MSRP | $556 | Not recorded |

| Part Number | SRKT6 | SRLD4 |

Both parts share a 5.00 GHz boost clock, 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, 24 MB shared L3, dual-channel memory bus, no ECC support, PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, and a locked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a dominant performance profile for the Core i9-12900H, with the Core i9-11950H excelling only in the Cinebench R23 suite. Walking through the largest wins for the 12900H first: the PassMark physics test shows a 42.2% lead (1753 vs. 1013). Floating point math follows with a 35% gap (67940 vs. 44137). Data encryption shows a 31.8% advantage for the 12900H (18548 vs. 12658). Cinebench R15 multicore is 32.4% in favor of the 12900H (2576.5 vs. 1741). PassMark multithread shows a 23.6% lead (27340 vs. 20900), matching the Cinebench R20 multicore margin, which is also 23.6% (9501 vs. 7257). Data compression is 22.3% higher (316714 vs. 246195). Integer math is 20.4% higher (93828 vs. 74649). Random string sorting is 16.8% higher (35296 vs. 29375). PassMark single-thread is 15.5% higher (3717 vs. 3141). Extended instructions are 13.3% higher (18875 vs. 16361). Find prime numbers is 13.1% higher (107 vs. 93). Cinebench R20 singlecore is 23.6% higher (1341 vs. 1024). Cinebench R15 singlecore is 7.9% higher (266 vs. 245).

The Core i9-11950H wins two tests. Its strongest result is in Cinebench R23 singlecore, where it scores 2439 against 1863.5, a 30.9% advantage. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 17279 against 15946.5, an 8.4% lead. These two wins are notable for their size, particularly the singlecore margin, which is larger than any single-test win the 12900H achieves except for physics and floating point math. The overall score distribution is lopsided, with the 12900H winning 15 of 17 contests. The average benchmark scores are close, however, at 28332 for the 11950H and 28003 for the 12900H. This suggests that the 11950H's wins in R23 carry significant weight in the averaging process. Both processors sit in the 80th percentile of all CPUs in the database, indicating similar overall positioning despite their divergent workload-specific results. The nearest rivals for the 11950H include the Intel Xeon 6337P (delta 0%), AMD Ryzen 7 7735U (delta -0.1%), AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U (delta -0.2%), and AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640HS (delta -0.5%). The nearest rivals for the 12900H include the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G (delta -0.1%), AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE (delta -0.2%), Intel Core i5-14500T (delta -0.2%), and AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340 (delta 0.3%). These close deltas indicate that both chips are tightly grouped with a similar tier of competitors in the aggregate.