Intel Core i9-12900H vs Intel Xeon 6337P Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results split the two processors into distinct personalities. The Intel Core i9-12900H dominates the multicore Cinebench tests, while the Intel Xeon 6337P counters with commanding wins in single-core and the latest Cinebench iteration.

Starting with the most lopsided victory for the Core i9-12900H: Cinebench R15 multicore shows the mobile chip at 2576.5 versus the Xeon's 1893, a 26.5% gap. The Core i9 also takes Cinebench R20 multicore by 17% (9501 vs 7888) and R20 single-core by the same 17% margin (1341 vs 1113). These are substantial deltas, indicating the Core i9's hybrid core arrangement delivers raw throughput that the Xeon's six-core design cannot match in older Cinebench versions.

The Xeon strikes back decisively in Cinebench R23. Its multicore score of 18783 tops the Core i9's 15946.5 by 17.8%. Even more striking is the R23 single-core result: the Xeon scores 2651 against 1863.5, a 42.3% advantage. That is the largest single-test delta in the entire comparison, and it signals that the Xeon's high boost clock translates directly into exceptional per-thread performance in modern Cinebench workloads.

PassMark results reinforce the Core i9's overall edge. The mobile chip wins data compression 316714 vs 237373 (25.1% ahead), data encryption 18548 vs 12604 (32% ahead), extended instructions 18875 vs 15366 (18.6% ahead), floating point math 67940 vs 53150 (21.8% ahead), integer math 93828 vs 72301 (22.9% ahead), multithread 27340 vs 22098 (19.2% ahead), physics 1753 vs 1729 (1.4% ahead), and random string sorting 35296 vs 26135 (26% ahead). The Xeon's only PassMark wins are narrow: find prime numbers 108 vs 107 (0.9%) and single thread 4104 vs 3717 (10.4%).

The win tally reflects this split: the Core i9-12900H wins 11 of 17 head-to-head tests, while the Xeon 6337P wins 6. But the Xeon's wins are concentrated in areas that matter for single-threaded responsiveness and the newest Cinebench benchmark. The Core i9's wins span a broader range of PassMark workloads, making it the more versatile performer in aggregate. The 42.3% R23 single-core advantage is the headline number here; it is a massive margin that suggests the Xeon's architecture is exceptionally well tuned for modern lightly-threaded workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900H wins 11 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests. The Intel Xeon 6337P wins 6.

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

A: The largest delta is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Xeon 6337P scores 2651 versus the Core i9-12900H's 1863.5, a 42.3% advantage for the Xeon.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Xeon 6337P leads with 18783, beating the Core i9-12900H's 15946.5 by 17.8%. This is the reverse of the R15 and R20 multicore results, where the Core i9 holds the lead.

Q: Does the Core i9-12900H win any single-threaded tests?

A: No. The Xeon 6337P wins Cinebench R15 single-core (267 vs 266, a 0.4% margin), Cinebench R23 single-core (42.3% ahead), and PassMark single thread (4104 vs 3717, a 10.4% margin).

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Xeon 6337P has an average benchmark score of 28333, while the Core i9-12900H averages 28003. Both sit at the 80th percentile versus all CPUs.

Q: How close are the nearest rivals for each chip?

A: The Xeon 6337P's closest rival is the Intel Core i9-11950H with an average score of 28332, a 0% delta. The Core i9-12900H's closest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G at 28032, a 0.1% delta.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel design families. The Xeon 6337P uses Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-R codename, and belongs to the Xeon 6 generation (Raptor Lake Refresh). The Core i9-12900H uses Alder Lake architecture with the Alder Lake-H codename, part of the Core 12th Gen series.

Both are fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process node at Intel's foundry, but their die sizes differ substantially. The Xeon's die measures 163 mm², while the Core i9's die is larger at 217 mm². The physical socket also differs: the Xeon uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core i9 uses Intel BGA 1744.

Cache hierarchies show a notable divergence. Both chips share 80 KB of L1 per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core. The L3 cache tells a different story: the Xeon has 18 MB shared, while the Core i9 has 24 MB shared. That 6 MB difference gives the Core i9 more aggregate cache capacity, though the Xeon's six cores each have access to a larger per-core share of L3.

Memory support is identical on paper: both support DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory buses. ECC memory support separates them: the Xeon 6337P supports ECC, while the Core i9-12900H does not. This aligns with their market segments. The Xeon is positioned for Server/Workstation use, while the Core i9 targets Mobile.

PCIe capabilities differ as well. The Xeon offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Core i9 steps down to Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics also separate them: the Xeon has no integrated graphics (N/A), while the Core i9 includes Iris Xe 96EU.

The Core i9 uses a hybrid architecture, which is typical of Alder Lake designs. The Xeon's Raptor Lake-R refresh builds on that foundation but with different core counts. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are the most obvious differentiators. The Xeon 6337P has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Core i9-12900H has 14 cores and 20 threads. That is an 8-core, 8-thread advantage for the Core i9.

Clock speeds favor the Xeon in both directions. The Xeon has a base clock of 3.50 GHz versus the Core i9's 2.50 GHz. The boost clock also favors the Xeon: 5.30 GHz versus 5.00 GHz. The Xeon's 0.3 GHz boost advantage helps explain its single-core wins.

Thermal design power differs significantly. The Xeon is rated at 80 W TDP, while the Core i9 is rated at 45 W TDP. The Core i9's lower TDP reflects its mobile positioning, while the Xeon's higher TDP suggests a workstation-oriented power envelope.

The launch MSRP for the Xeon 6337P is $375. The Core i9-12900H has no recorded launch MSRP.

Release dates are nearly three years apart. The Core i9-12900H was released on January 3, 2022, while the Xeon 6337P was released on February 23, 2025.

Part numbers differ: the Xeon is SRPLU, and the Core i9 is SRLD4. Both processors are currently marked as Active in production status.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-12900H is the clear choice for multi-threaded throughput in most scenarios. Its 14 cores and 20 threads deliver decisive wins in Cinebench R15 and R20 multicore, plus a broad sweep of PassMark workloads including data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, floating point math, integer math, multithread, physics, and random string sorting. The 17% R20 multicore advantage and the 19.2% PassMark multithread advantage make it the stronger all-around workhorse for parallel tasks. Its 45 W TDP also makes it the more power-efficient option on paper, which matters for portable or thermally constrained systems. The integrated Iris Xe 96EU graphics provide a display output path that the Xeon lacks entirely.

The Intel Xeon 6337P wins where single-thread performance and the newest Cinebench version matter most. Its 42.3% R23 single-core lead over the Core i9 is the dominant headline, and it also takes R23 multicore by 17.8%, suggesting its architecture is better optimized for Cinebench's current workload. The PassMark single thread win (4104 vs 3717, a 10.4% margin) confirms that the Xeon's per-core strength is not a Cinebench anomaly. The Xeon's 5.30 GHz boost clock and 80 W TDP point to a design that prioritizes raw clock speed over core count. Its ECC memory support, Gen 5 PCIe (16 lanes), and Server/Workstation market segment make it the appropriate pick for reliability-focused workstation builds that value strong single-threaded response and modern memory integrity features.

For users running older Cinebench versions or diverse PassMark workloads, the Core i9-12900H offers broader performance. For users targeting Cinebench R23 or applications that scale with single-thread speed, the Xeon 6337P is the superior part despite its lower core count. The Xeon's wins are fewer (6 vs 11) but include the two most decisive margins in the comparison.