Intel Core i9-12900KS vs Intel Core i9-13950HX Comparison

The Intel Core i9-12900KS and Intel Core i9-13950HX are both flagship 10 nm Intel parts, but they target entirely different environments: the 12900KS is a desktop Alder Lake-S chip with a 150 W TDP, while the 13950HX is a mobile Raptor Lake-HX processor rated at just 55 W. Despite the mobile chip’s higher core count (24 vs. 16), the desktop part posts a higher average benchmark score (45023 vs. 44747) and wins 20 of the 23 head-to-head tests. The data reveals a close overall race, with the 13950HX striking back in a few specialized workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-13950HX has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core i9-12900KS has 16 cores and 24 threads.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds of both CPUs?

A: Both the 12900KS and the 13950HX reach a maximum boost clock of 5.50 GHz.

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The 12900KS averages 45023 points, while the 13950HX averages 44747 points — a 0.6% advantage for the desktop part.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Both the 12900KS and the 13950HX list ECC memory support as true.

Q: What is the market segment for each CPU?

A: The 12900KS is a Desktop processor, while the 13950HX is a Mobile processor.

Q: Which CPU has a larger L3 cache?

A: The 13950HX has 36 MB of shared L3 cache, whereas the 12900KS has 30 MB.

Architecture Differences

Both chips are built on Intel’s 10 nm process and use the same UHD Graphics 770 integrated GPU, but the underlying architectures diverge. The 12900KS belongs to the Alder Lake family (codename Alder Lake-S), while the 13950HX is Raptor Lake (Raptor Lake-HX). This generational step shows up in die size: the 13950HX measures 257 mm², compared to 215 mm² for the 12900KS. The larger die accommodates more cores and a bigger cache hierarchy — the 13950HX has 2 MB of L2 per core versus 1.25 MB on the 12900KS, and 36 MB of L3 versus 30 MB.

The socket and platform differ as well. The 12900KS uses Intel Socket 1700, while the 13950HX is soldered to Intel BGA 1964, reflecting its mobile nature. PCIe connectivity also differs: the 13950HX offers 20 CPU lanes of Gen 5, while the 12900KS provides 16 lanes. Memory bandwidth is specified for the 12900KS at 76.8 GB/s, but the 13950HX’s bandwidth is not listed in the data. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode, and both have ECC enabled.

Power delivery is a major differentiator. The 12900KS has a TDP of 150 W, more than double the 55 W of the 13950HX. This explains why the desktop part can sustain higher base clock (3.40 GHz vs. 2.20 GHz) despite identical 5.50 GHz boost clocks. The 13950HX was released on 2023-01-03, while the 12900KS came out on 2022-04-04. Both chips have unlocked multipliers, but they carry different part numbers (SRLDD for the 12900KS, SRMEB for the 13950HX) and different launch MSRPs — $739 for the 12900KS and $590 for the 13950HX.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results show a decisive overall win for the 12900KS, which takes 20 of 23 tests. The largest margins come in extended instruction workloads: the 12900KS scores 35089 in Passmark’s extended instructions test, beating the 13950HX’s 29779 by 17.8%. The desktop chip also dominates in multi-threaded 3DMark runs, leading by 15.9% in 16-thread (10316 vs. 8903) and by 16.9% in 8-thread (7872 vs. 6732). Single-thread performance also favors the 12900KS, with an 11.1% lead in Passmark’s single-thread test (4330 vs. 3899) and a 1.7% edge in 3DMark single-thread (1121 vs. 1102).

Cinebench results are consistently 5% higher for the 12900KS across R15, R20, and R23, both single-core and multi-core. For example, Cinebench R23 multi-core scores 37152 for the 12900KS versus 35382 for the 13950HX, and R23 single-core scores 5245 versus 4995. Data compression (563709 vs. 510258, +10.5%) and random string sorting (60539 vs. 57274, +5.7%) also go to the desktop part. Floating-point math is 5.6% faster (111429 vs. 105553), while integer math is nearly identical (147575 vs. 147091, +0.3%).

The 13950HX wins only three tests, but they are revealing. Its largest victory is in Passmark’s find prime numbers test, where it scores 203 against the 12900KS’s 158 — a 22.2% advantage. It also leads in Passmark physics (2668 vs. 2437, an 8.7% gap) and edges out the 12900KS in 3DMark max threads (11926 vs. 11897, a 0.2% margin). These wins suggest the 13950HX’s extra cores and larger L3 cache help in certain integer-heavy and physics-simulation workloads, even though its lower TDP and base clock limit overall performance.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification:

• Cores: 16 (12900KS) vs. 24 (13950HX)
• Threads: 24 vs. 32
• Base clock: 3.40 GHz vs. 2.20 GHz
• TDP: 150 W vs. 55 W
• Socket: Intel Socket 1700 vs. Intel BGA 1964
• Architecture / codename: Alder Lake-S vs. Raptor Lake-HX
• Die size: 215 mm² vs. 257 mm²
• L2 cache per core: 1.25 MB vs. 2 MB
• L3 cache (shared): 30 MB vs. 36 MB
• Memory bandwidth: 76.8 GB/s vs. not listed
• PCIe lanes (CPU only): 16 Gen 5 vs. 20 Gen 5
• Market segment: Desktop vs. Mobile
• Release date: 2022-04-04 vs. 2023-01-03
• Launch MSRP: $739 vs. $590
• Part number: SRLDD vs. SRMEB

Both CPUs share the same boost clock (5.50 GHz), process node (10 nm), integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), memory support (DDR4/DDR5, dual-channel), ECC support, and unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The 12900KS is the clear winner in most benchmark categories. It dominates in single-thread and multi-threaded workloads alike, with particular strengths in extended instructions, 3DMark multi-threaded tests, Cinebench rendering, data compression, and floating-point math. Its higher base clock and TDP enable sustained performance that the mobile chip cannot match. For any application that benefits from raw throughput — video rendering, 3D modeling, data processing, or general productivity — the 12900KS is the better performer according to the data.

The 13950HX, despite its lower power envelope, shows advantages in three specific areas. Its 22.2% lead in prime number finding and 8.7% lead in physics simulation indicate that its 24 cores and 36 MB L3 cache can be leveraged in integer-heavy or physics-based tasks. The near-tie in 3DMark max threads (0.2% difference) also suggests that when all threads are saturated, the mobile chip is competitive. However, these wins are isolated; the 13950HX loses by double digits in many other tests.

For users prioritizing portability, the 13950HX’s 55 W TDP and mobile BGA socket make it suitable for laptops, whereas the 12900KS requires a desktop platform. The 12900KS offers higher performance but demands more power and a larger chassis. The 13950HX’s higher core count and larger caches give it an edge in niche workloads, but it cannot overcome the 12900KS’s overall benchmark dominance.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to the Intel Core i9-12900KS as the superior processor in raw performance. It wins 20 of 23 head-to-head tests, holds a 0.6% higher average score (45023 vs. 44747), and outperforms the 13950HX in every Cinebench iteration, most 3DMark tests, and the majority of Passmark workloads. The 12900KS is the choice for desktop users who need maximum compute power and can accommodate its 150 W TDP.

The 13950HX is not a slouch — its 24 cores and 36 MB L3 cache allow it to win in prime number finding and physics simulation, and its 55 W TDP makes it a viable mobile option. But for anyone comparing these two on performance alone, the 12900KS leads. The 13950HX’s advantages are narrow and workload-specific, and its average score trails by a small margin. Ultimately, the 12900KS is the benchmark champion, while the 13950HX offers a compelling balance of core count and efficiency for mobile systems.