Intel Core i9-12900HK vs Intel Core i9-9900K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a decisive overall victory for the Intel Core i9-12900HK, which wins 14 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The Intel Core i9-9900K takes only 3 wins, but those wins are concentrated in specific workload types where its architecture retains an advantage.

The largest margin in the entire comparison belongs to the i9-12900HK in passmark_data_encryption, where it scores 17445 against 6430 for the i9-9900K, a 63.1% advantage. This is a massive gap that reflects the newer processor's ability to handle cryptographic workloads far more efficiently.

In multithreaded rendering workloads, the i9-12900HK consistently leads. Cinebench R15 multicore shows 2786 versus 1545, a 44.5% delta. Cinebench R20 multicore follows a similar pattern with 8958 versus 6439, a 28.1% difference. The Cinebench R23 multicore result narrows the gap to 16.2%, with 18288 against 15333, but the mobile chip still holds a clear lead.

The i9-12900HK also dominates in floating-point math, scoring 63572 versus 41036, a 35.4% advantage. Integer math shows a 26.1% lead with 89527 against 66134. Prime number finding sees the i9-12900HK at 102 versus just 47 for the i9-9900K, a 53.9% gap that indicates significantly better performance in this specific algorithmic test.

Physics simulation results favor the i9-12900HK at 1673 versus 934, a 44.2% delta. The PassMark multithread aggregate shows 25697 against 18153, a 29.4% advantage for the newer part.

Single-threaded performance in PassMark also favors the i9-12900HK, with 3567 versus 2919, an 18.2% lead. This appears in both the passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread entries, which record identical values.

The i9-9900K's wins are notable despite being fewer. Its largest victory comes in Cinebench R23 singlecore, where it scores 2164 against 1673, a 29.3% advantage. This is a substantial single-threaded win that suggests the older chip's high boost clock combined with its architecture delivers superior performance in this specific test.

The i9-9900K also wins in passmark_random_string_sorting with 36238 versus 32983, a 9.9% delta. Extended instructions show a smaller win at 18965 versus 17583, a 7.9% advantage.

Data compression slightly favors the i9-12900HK at 294908 versus 283506, a 3.9% delta. This is one of the closer results in the comparison.

Cinebench R15 singlecore shows the i9-12900HK ahead at 242 versus 217, a 10.3% margin. Cinebench R20 singlecore shows a 28.2% lead for the i9-12900HK with 1264 against 908.

Where Each One Wins

The i9-12900HK is the clear choice for heavily multithreaded workloads. Its 14 cores and 20 threads provide a substantial advantage in rendering, physics simulation, encryption, and general parallel computation. The data shows consistent wins across all Cinebench multicore tests, with margins ranging from 16.2% to 44.5%. PassMark multithread, floating-point math, integer math, and prime number finding all show the i9-12900HK ahead by margins between 26.1% and 53.9%.

The i9-12900HK also excels in single-threaded performance according to PassMark, with an 18.2% lead. This makes it suitable for applications that rely on responsive single-core performance, such as many legacy applications or lightly threaded workloads.

The i9-9900K retains a niche in specific single-threaded rendering tests. Its 29.3% win in Cinebench R23 singlecore is significant, indicating that certain rendering engines that depend heavily on this benchmark pattern will perform better on the older chip. The 9.9% win in random string sorting and 7.9% win in extended instructions suggest the i9-9900K handles certain memory-access patterns and instruction mixes more efficiently.

For data encryption, the i9-12900HK's 63.1% advantage makes it the clear choice for security-sensitive workloads. The new architecture evidently includes more capable cryptographic instructions or better implementation of existing ones.

Data compression favors the i9-12900HK but only slightly, with a 3.9% margin. This workload does not strongly differentiate the two processors.

The overall average benchmark scores place the i9-9900K at 27097 with a 79th percentile ranking among all CPUs, while the i9-12900HK sits at 26469 with a 78th percentile. Despite the i9-12900HK's dominant head-to-head record, its aggregate score is slightly lower, primarily because the comparison does not include the 3DMark tests that the i9-12900HK also ran. Those tests show 6829 in max threads, 6441 in 16 threads, 5172 in 8 threads, 3537 in 4 threads, 1942 in 2 threads, and 1025 in single thread.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and target different market segments. The i9-9900K uses the Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm process node, while the i9-12900HK uses Alder Lake on a 10 nm node. The die size differs accordingly, with the i9-9900K measuring 180.3 mm² and the i9-12900HK at 217 mm².

Core counts differ substantially. The i9-9900K has 8 cores and 16 threads, all using the same design. The i9-12900HK has 14 cores and 20 threads, reflecting its hybrid architecture that combines performance and efficiency cores.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. The i9-9900K provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The i9-12900HK increases L1 to 80 KB per core, L2 to 1.25 MB per core, and L3 to 24 MB shared. The larger L2 cache per core is a notable architectural improvement that helps with data locality.

Base clock speeds differ, with the i9-9900K at 3.60 GHz and the i9-12900HK at 2.50 GHz. Both reach the same 5.00 GHz boost clock, which explains why single-threaded performance can be competitive despite the base clock difference.

Thermal design power reflects the market segments. The i9-9900K has a 95 W TDP for desktop use, while the i9-12900HK has a 45 W TDP for mobile systems. This makes the i9-12900HK's performance advantages even more notable given its lower power envelope.

Memory support differs. The i9-9900K supports DDR4 only with dual-channel memory and a measured bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The i9-12900HK supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory, though no bandwidth figure is recorded for it.

PCIe capabilities differ. The i9-9900K provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The i9-12900HK provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes, offering both newer standards and more connectivity.

Integrated graphics differ. The i9-9900K uses UHD Graphics 630, while the i9-12900HK uses Iris Xe 96EU, a more capable integrated solution.

The i9-9900K uses Intel Socket 1151, while the i9-12900HK uses Intel BGA 1744. The desktop chip is end-of-life, while the mobile chip is still active in production. Both have unlocked multipliers.

Release dates differ by over three years. The i9-9900K launched on 2018-10-18 with a launch MSRP of $488. The i9-12900HK launched on 2022-01-03 with no recorded MSRP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900HK has 14 cores and 20 threads. The Intel Core i9-9900K has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: How do the two compare in single-threaded Cinebench R23 performance?

A: The Intel Core i9-9900K wins this specific test with a score of 2164 against 1673 for the Intel Core i9-12900HK, a 29.3% advantage.

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

A: The largest gap is in PassMark data encryption, where the Intel Core i9-12900HK scores 17445 against 6430 for the Intel Core i9-9900K, a 63.1% difference.

Q: Which processor supports faster PCIe hardware?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900HK supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU. The Intel Core i9-9900K supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes.

Q: Do both processors have the same boost clock speed?

A: Yes, both reach a 5.00 GHz boost clock. The base clocks differ, with the i9-9900K at 3.60 GHz and the i9-12900HK at 2.50 GHz.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score relative to all CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i9-9900K has a higher average benchmark score of 27097 and sits at the 79th percentile. The Intel Core i9-12900HK has an average score of 26469 at the 78th percentile.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i9-9900K | Intel Core i9-12900HK |

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

| Cores | 8 | 14 |

| Threads | 16 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 3.60 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 95 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel BGA 1744 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Alder Lake |

| Codename | Coffee Lake-R | Alder Lake-H |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 10 nm |

| Die Size | 180.3 mm² | 217 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB (shared) | 24 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | Not recorded |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 630 | Iris Xe 96EU |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

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

| Release Date | 2018-10-18 | 2022-01-03 |

| Launch MSRP | $488 | Not recorded |

| Part Number | SRG19SRELS | SRLD3 |