SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core i7-12850HX + Intel Arc A550M

Get a comprehensive performance analysis of your gaming rig with detailed benchmarks, bottleneck detection, and upgrade recommendations

95 / 100
ULTIMATE READY

Apex Performer

Top 5% of systems. Capable of 4K Ultra gaming and advanced rendering.

4K 60+ FPSVR ReadyRay Tracing

System Balance Analysis

CPU vs GPU performance ratio
Well Balanced
CPU
93%
VS
GPU
96%
PROCESSOR

Intel Core i7-12850HX

41,779 Benchmark Score
Top 7% Market Ranking
View Full Specs →
GRAPHICS CARD

Intel Arc A550M

49,737 Benchmark Score
Top 4% Market Ranking
View Full Specs →

Market Position

How your build compares to others
Budget
0-30
Mid-Range
30-60
High-End
60-85
Enthusiast
85-100
Your Build

Game Performance Benchmarks

Real-world 4K FPS in popular titles
View All Games →

Performance Insights

Tips to maximize your system

Optimal Performance

Your system is in the top tier. You can run any modern game at maximum settings.

4K Gaming Ready

Consider a 4K 144Hz monitor to fully utilize your hardware capabilities.

Compatible Games See what you can play Compare CPUs Find upgrades Compare GPUs Find upgrades

Performance Tiers Explained

90-100

Ultimate

4K Ultra gaming, VR ready, ray tracing enabled, professional workloads

4K 60+ FPS VR Ready
70-89

High-End

1440p Ultra or 4K High settings, excellent for modern AAA titles

1440p Ultra 4K High
50-69

Mid-Range

1080p Ultra or 1440p Medium, great value for most gamers

1080p Ultra 1440p Med
30-49

Entry Level

1080p Medium settings, suitable for eSports and older titles

1080p Med eSports
0-29

Legacy

Basic gaming, older titles, consider upgrading for modern games

720p-1080p Low Older Games

The Intel Core i7-12850HX is a 16-core, 24-thread mobile processor based on the Alder Lake-HX architecture. It operates with a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz, built on Intel's 10 nm process node. The chip features a hybrid design, with its 16 cores split between performance and efficiency groups, and it carries a 25 MB shared L3 cache along with 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core and 80 KB of L1 cache per core. This configuration places it in the 88th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 41779. The data shows a close grouping with rivals: it is 0.3% ahead of the Intel Core 7 251TE, 0.4% ahead of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H, 0.3% behind the Intel Core i7-14700T, and 0.4% behind the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS. These tiny deltas indicate that the i7-12850HX is effectively a peer of the top mid-range mobile chips, trading blows within a fraction of a percent.

In real-world workloads, the benchmark results reveal a strong multi-threaded performer. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 16301.5 points is substantial, suggesting that heavily threaded tasks like 3D rendering, video encoding, and software compilation will complete quickly. The single-core score of 1720.5 in the same test is also respectable, which matters for applications that rely on per-thread performance, such as older games or certain productivity tools. The Passmark multi-thread score of 30627 reinforces the multi-core strength, while the single-thread score of 3683 indicates that the chip is not a slouch in lightly threaded scenarios either. The passmark integer math score of 108076 and floating-point math score of 79337 further show that both integer-heavy and floating-point-heavy workloads are well served, making the CPU a balanced choice for scientific computing, financial modeling, and general productivity. The data compression score of 365829 and encryption score of 21120 suggest that file archiving and data security tasks are handled efficiently, though the extended instructions score of 22227 and random string sorting score of 40327 are more moderate, pointing to reasonable but not class-leading performance in those specific areas.

CPU Analysis

The i7-12850HX is a high-core-count mobile part designed for performance laptops. With 16 cores and 24 threads, it offers the kind of parallelism typically found in desktop processors. The Alder Lake architecture uses a hybrid design, combining performance cores and efficiency cores to balance power and speed. The base clock of 2.10 GHz is modest, but the 4.80 GHz boost clock provides the headroom needed for bursty workloads. The 25 MB shared L3 cache is generous, reducing memory latency for frequently accessed data. The CPU supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, and it has ECC memory support, which is unusual for a mobile chip and could appeal to users who prioritize data integrity. The integrated UHD Graphics 770 provides a fallback display output, though the presence of a discrete GPU makes it less relevant in this pairing.

The Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 10907 and single-core score of 1539 place the CPU in a strong position. The multi-core result is about 6.3% above the R23 multi-core score when adjusted for the test's scaling, but the raw numbers show consistent performance across versions. The Passmark physics score of 1813 is notable, as it indicates that the CPU can handle physics simulations in games and engineering applications without becoming a bottleneck. The find prime numbers score of 111 is low in absolute terms, but this is a specialized test that stresses integer throughput in a specific way. Overall, the benchmark data suggests that the i7-12850HX is a versatile workhorse that excels in multi-threaded productivity and holds its own in single-threaded tasks. The 88th percentile ranking means it outperforms the vast majority of CPUs on the market, and the tight rivalry with chips like the Core Ultra 7 265H shows that it is not outdated despite being from the 12th generation.

Balance and Bottleneck

The pairing of the i7-12850HX with the Intel Arc A550M creates a system where the CPU and GPU are relatively well matched, but the data shows that each component will limit different workloads. The CPU's 88th percentile ranking is slightly higher than the GPU's 86th percentile, meaning the GPU is marginally more likely to be the limiting factor in graphics-intensive tasks. However, the combined percentile of 87 suggests an overall balanced system. There are no measured FPS rows for this exact combination in the FACT PACK, so all FPS discussion must be framed as estimates derived from the benchmark scores. The CPU's strong multi-core performance, evidenced by the Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 16301.5, means that it is unlikely to hold back the GPU in most gaming scenarios. The GPU's Geekbench Vulkan score of 49580 and OpenCL score of 49894 indicate a capable graphics processor, but the CPU's single-thread score of 1720.5 in Cinebench R23 suggests that in CPU-bound games with heavy physics or AI, the processor could become the bottleneck.

The balance shifts depending on the workload. In high-refresh gaming at lower resolutions, the CPU's single-thread performance becomes more critical, and the i7-12850HX's 3683 Passmark single-thread score suggests it can keep up with modern game engines. In contrast, at higher resolutions with demanding graphics settings, the GPU's workload increases, and the Arc A550M's 8.397 TFLOPS of FP32 performance becomes the limiting factor. The CPU's 24 threads are an advantage in productivity tasks like video editing, where the GPU can assist with rendering but the CPU handles encoding and timeline operations. The data shows no significant imbalance in raw compute power, but the GPU's 60 W TDP and the CPU's 55 W TDP indicate that both are constrained by laptop thermal and power limits. The CPU's 88th percentile versus the GPU's 86th percentile means that the GPU is slightly more likely to be the bottleneck in graphics-heavy applications, but the difference is small enough that the system should feel coherent in most usage scenarios.

Benchmark Performance

The Intel Core i7-12850HX achieves an average benchmark score of 41779, placing it in the 88th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Arc A550M achieves an average benchmark score of 49737, placing it in the 86th percentile of all GPUs. The combined percentile for this pairing is 87, which reflects a system that is above average across the board. The CPU's closest rival is the Intel Core i7-14700T, which scores 41914 and is 0.3% ahead, while the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS scores 41963 and is 0.4% ahead. The CPU is 0.3% ahead of the Intel Core 7 251TE and 0.4% ahead of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H. These margins are negligible in real-world use, but they show that the i7-12850HX is competitive with newer and more expensive parts.

The GPU's nearest rival is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, which scores 49957 and is 0.4% ahead, and the AMD Radeon RX Vega 64, which scores 50001 and is 0.5% ahead. The Arc A550M is 2.4% behind the AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT and 2.6% ahead of the AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT. These comparisons are based on Geekbench compute scores, which are synthetic but indicative of raw compute capability. The GPU's Vulkan score of 49580 and OpenCL score of 49894 are very close, suggesting consistent performance across different APIs. The CPU's Cinebench R15 multicore score of 2679 and single-core score of 260.5 are older metrics but still useful for comparing across generations. The overall picture is a system that performs well above the median, with the CPU slightly stronger relative to its peers than the GPU. The lack of measured FPS data means that gaming performance must be inferred from these compute scores, but the high percentiles suggest that the system is capable of smooth gameplay at reasonable settings, though not at the absolute highest frame rates.

Usage Scenarios

High-refresh gaming: The CPU's single-thread performance, indicated by the Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1720.5 and Passmark single-thread score of 3683, is strong enough to feed a high-refresh display in most titles. The GPU's 86th percentile ranking suggests it can handle 1080p gaming at high settings, but at 1440p or with ray tracing enabled, the Arc A550M's 8.397 TFLOPS of FP32 performance may limit frame rates. Estimated FPS would be playable but not extreme, with the CPU rarely being the bottleneck.

Streaming: The 16 cores and 24 threads of the i7-12850HX are a significant asset for streaming. The Passmark multithread score of 30627 indicates that the CPU can handle simultaneous game encoding and gameplay without major frame drops. The GPU's lack of dedicated tensor cores means that hardware-accelerated encoding may rely on the CPU, which is capable given its multi-threaded performance. The data suggests that streaming at 1080p60 is feasible with minimal impact on gaming performance.

Video editing: The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 16301.5 is a strong indicator of video editing performance. Timeline scrubbing, effect rendering, and export processes will benefit from the CPU's 24 threads. The GPU's 8 GB of VRAM and 224.0 GB/s of memory bandwidth are sufficient for 4K video editing with moderate effects. The combination of strong CPU and adequate GPU performance makes this a suitable system for content creators who edit video regularly.

3D rendering: The CPU's Passmark floating-point math score of 79337 and the Cinebench R20 multicore score of 10907 show that the i7-12850HX excels at CPU-based rendering tasks. The GPU's FP32 performance of 8.397 TFLOPS is modest, so GPU-accelerated rendering in Blender or similar software will be slower than with a more powerful discrete GPU. However, for CPU-based renderers, this system is highly capable, with the 88th percentile CPU ranking indicating it can tackle complex scenes.

Software development: The CPU's high multi-threaded performance, evidenced by the Passmark multithread score of 30627, makes it excellent for compiling large codebases. The L3 cache of 25 MB helps with frequently accessed data, and the support for ECC memory is a plus for developers who value system stability. The GPU is less relevant for most development tasks, but its compute capability can be used for GPU programming or machine learning experiments, though the 8 GB VRAM may limit the size of models that can be trained.

Student and office work: The CPU's single-thread performance is more than adequate for everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and spreadsheet analysis. The Passmark data compression score of 365829 means that file handling and archiving are quick. The integrated UHD Graphics 770 can handle basic display output if the discrete GPU is not needed, saving power. The system is overpowered for this use case, but the performance headroom ensures that even demanding productivity applications run smoothly.

FAQ

Q: How does the Intel Core i7-12850HX compare to the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H?

A: The i7-12850HX is 0.4% ahead of the Core Ultra 7 265H in average benchmark score, with 41779 versus 41621. This is a negligible difference, meaning the two processors are effectively equal in performance.

Q: What is the GPU's percentile ranking and what does it mean?

A: The Intel Arc A550M is in the 86th percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 49737. This means it outperforms 86% of GPUs on the market, indicating it is a solid mid-range to upper-mid-range graphics solution.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU more likely to be the bottleneck in gaming?

A: The CPU is in the 88th percentile and the GPU is in the 86th percentile, so the GPU is slightly more likely to be the limiting factor in graphics-intensive workloads. However, the combined percentile of 87 suggests the system is well balanced.

Q: Does the CPU support overclocking?

A: Yes, the multiplier is unlocked on the Intel Core i7-12850HX, which means it can be overclocked if the laptop's BIOS and cooling allow it. The base clock of 2.10 GHz and boost clock of 4.80 GHz provide headroom for manual tuning.

Q: What kind of memory does the system support?

A: The CPU supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The GPU uses 8 GB of GDDR6 memory with a 128-bit bus and 224.0 GB/s of bandwidth.

Q: How does the GPU compare to the AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT?

A: The Intel Arc A550M is 2.6% ahead of the AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT in average benchmark score, with 49737 versus 48477. This is a modest advantage in synthetic compute tests.

Q: Is there measured FPS data for this CPU and GPU combination?

A: No, the FACT PACK contains no measured FPS rows for this exact combination. All FPS discussions are estimates based on the benchmark scores of the individual components.

GPU Analysis

The Intel Arc A550M is a mobile GPU based on the Xe-HPG architecture, using the DG2-512 chip. It is built on TSMC's 6 nm process node, with 21,700 million transistors on a 406 mm² die. The GPU has 2048 shading units, 128 texture mapping units, and 64 raster output units, along with 16 ray tracing cores. The base clock is 900 MHz and the boost clock is 2050 MHz, with memory running at 1750 MHz (14 Gbps effective). The 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus provides 224.0 GB/s of bandwidth, which is reasonable for the GPU's class. The pixel rate is 131.2 GPixel/s and the texture rate is 262.4 GTexel/s, indicating solid fill rates. The FP32 performance is 8.397 TFLOPS, and the FP16 performance is 16.79 TFLOPS at a 2:1 ratio, which is useful for AI workloads that can use reduced precision.

The benchmark results show a Geekbench OpenCL score of 49894 and a Vulkan score of 49580, which are very close, suggesting consistent performance across APIs. The GPU is in the 86th percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 49737. Its nearest rival is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, which is 0.4% faster, and the AMD Radeon RX Vega 64, which is 0.5% faster. It is 2.4% slower than the AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT and 2.6% faster than the AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT. These comparisons place the Arc A550M in the same performance tier as older high-end desktop GPUs, which is impressive for a mobile part. The GPU supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4, meaning it is fully compatible with modern game engines and APIs. The 16 ray tracing cores provide hardware-accelerated ray tracing, though the overall compute performance will limit the complexity of ray-traced scenes. The GPU's 60 W TDP is modest, making it suitable for laptops where power and thermal constraints are significant. The production status is end-of-life, which is a consideration for long-term driver support, but the current performance is solid for 1080p gaming and 1440p with reduced settings.

Upgrade Path and Platform

The Intel Core i7-12850HX uses the Intel BGA 1964 socket, which is a mobile socket, meaning the CPU is soldered to the motherboard and cannot be upgraded in most cases. The platform supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with ECC memory support. The CPU provides PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes, which is a high-bandwidth interface for the GPU and NVMe storage. The Intel Arc A550M uses a PCIe 4.0 x16 interface, which is fully compatible with the CPU's PCIe Gen 5 lanes, though it will run at Gen 4 speeds. The TDP of the CPU is 55 W, and the GPU's TDP is 60 W, totaling 115 W for the two main components. There is no suggested PSU in the FACT PACK, but the combined TDP suggests that a laptop power adapter of adequate wattage is required. The GPU's production status is end-of-life, which means that future driver updates may be limited, but the platform itself is still active for the CPU.

A sensible next upgrade for this platform would be to increase the memory to the maximum supported by the CPU, as the dual-channel configuration and ECC support are beneficial for productivity. Since the CPU is soldered, the only meaningful upgrade path is to replace the entire laptop, but the current performance is strong enough that this should not be necessary for several years. The PCIe Gen 5 support means that future high-speed NVMe drives can be added without bottlenecking. The GPU's 8 GB of VRAM is a limiting factor for future games at high resolutions, but for 1080p gaming, it is sufficient. The lack of a suggested PSU in the data makes it difficult to assess power headroom, but the 115 W combined TDP is modest for a laptop, leaving room for other components like additional storage or a high-refresh display.

Build Overview

This is a laptop build, classified under the "laptop" build class, pairing the Intel Core i7-12850HX with the Intel Arc A550M. The CPU is in the 88th percentile of all CPUs, and the GPU is in the 86th percentile of all GPUs, with a combined percentile of 87. This places the system in the upper tier of mobile computing, suitable for demanding workloads. The CPU's 16 cores and 24 threads make it a powerful productivity tool, while the GPU's 8 GB of VRAM and 8.397 TFLOPS of FP32 performance provide solid graphics capability. The combination is well balanced, with the CPU slightly stronger than the GPU, which is a good configuration for tasks that are both CPU and GPU intensive, such as video editing and 3D rendering. The system is not designed for extreme high-refresh gaming at 4K, but it is more than capable for 1080p gaming and 1440p with adjusted settings. The overall tier is above average, with the 87th percentile indicating that this system outperforms the majority of laptops on the market. The build is a practical choice for users who need a single machine for both work and play, offering strong multi-core performance and competent graphics in a mobile form factor.

Who Should Build It

This CPU and GPU pairing is intended for users who need a high-performance laptop for a mix of productivity and gaming. Gamers who play at 1080p or 1440p with medium to high settings will find the Arc A550M's 86th percentile ranking sufficient, especially with the CPU's strong single-thread performance ensuring smooth frame times. Content creators, particularly video editors and 3D artists, will benefit from the CPU's 24 threads and the Cinebench R23 multicore score of 16301.5, which accelerates rendering and export tasks. Software developers will appreciate the multi-threaded compilation performance and the ECC memory support, which enhances system stability during long builds. Students and office workers will find the system overpowered but future-proof, with the Passmark single-thread score of 3683 handling everyday tasks with ease. Small business workstations that run virtualization, data analysis, or financial modeling will leverage the CPU's high Passmark multithread score of 30627 and the floating-point math score of 79337. The GPU's 8 GB of VRAM is a limitation for large machine learning models, but for most professional workloads, this system offers a compelling balance of CPU and GPU performance. The end-of-life status of the GPU is a caveat, as driver support may taper off, but the current benchmark scores show that it remains competitive with newer mid-range parts. This is a build for users who prioritize raw compute performance over portability, as the 115 W combined TDP means the laptop will require a substantial cooling solution and power adapter.