SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core i9-12900HK + AMD Radeon 860M

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

90 / 100
ULTIMATE READY

Apex Performer

Top 10% 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
87%
VS
GPU
93%
PROCESSOR

Intel Core i9-12900HK

26,469 Benchmark Score
Top 13% Market Ranking
View Full Specs →
GRAPHICS CARD

AMD Radeon 860M

26,401 Benchmark Score
Top 7% 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 i9-12900HK and AMD Radeon 860M form a laptop-class pairing that combines a high-end 12th Gen Intel mobile processor with a modern AMD integrated GPU. The CPU, based on the Alder Lake-H architecture, is a 14-core, 20-thread part with a 45 W TDP, while the GPU is an RDNA 3.5-based IGP built on a 4 nm process. This combination sits at the 75th percentile overall, indicating a system that outperforms the majority of laptop configurations. The data shows a clear split in capabilities: the processor is a multi-threaded powerhouse, while the graphics solution, though strong for an integrated part, anchors the system's gaming potential. The following analysis breaks down the benchmark data, workload suitability, and platform characteristics to give a complete picture of what this build offers.

CPU Analysis

The Intel Core i9-12900HK is a flagship mobile processor from the Alder Lake generation, built on Intel's 10 nm process with a die size of 217 mm². Its hybrid architecture combines 14 cores and 20 threads, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 24 MB L3 cache. This configuration is designed to deliver high sustained performance in multi-threaded workloads while maintaining strong single-core responsiveness.

Benchmark results confirm the CPU's balanced capabilities. In Cinebench R23, the processor scores 18288 points in multi-core and 1673 points in single-core tests. The multi-core result is particularly telling: it places the chip in the 78th percentile among all CPUs, meaning it outperforms 78% of processors in the database. The single-core score of 1673, while lower in absolute terms, still represents a strong showing for a mobile part, especially when compared to the 3DMark single-thread score of 1025. The scaling from 2 threads to 16 threads is efficient, with 3DMark scores rising from 1942 at 2 threads to 6441 at 16 threads, and reaching 6829 at max threads. This indicates that the core layout and thread scheduling are well-optimized for workloads that can use multiple cores.

In real-world terms, the Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 8958 and R15 multi-core score of 2786 reinforce the CPU's ability to handle rendering and compilation tasks. The PassMark suite provides additional insight: the multi-thread score of 25697 is robust, while integer math (89527) and floating-point math (63572) scores show strong arithmetic throughput. The data compression score of 294908 and encryption score of 17445 suggest that the CPU is well-suited for file archiving and security-related tasks. However, the find prime numbers score of 102 is modest, indicating that certain single-threaded, cache-sensitive workloads may not benefit as much from the hybrid design.

The nearest rivals provide context for the CPU's position. The Intel Core i7-1280P matches the i9-12900HK with an identical average score of 26469, representing a 0% delta. The AMD Ryzen 5 8640U is similarly close at 26462 (0% delta), while the AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS trails slightly at 26402 (0.3% ahead for the i9). The AMD EPYC 8024P is marginally ahead at 26555, giving a -0.3% delta. This clustering suggests that the i9-12900HK is competitively positioned against a range of both Intel and AMD parts from different generations, making it a versatile choice for mobile workstations.

Benchmark Performance

The overall benchmark picture for this build is defined by a strong CPU paired with a mid-tier integrated GPU. The combined percentile is 75, which places this system in the upper quartile of all laptop configurations. The CPU's average benchmark score is 26469, with a percentile of 78 among all CPUs. The GPU's average benchmark score is 26401, with a percentile of 72 among all GPUs. These figures indicate that the two components are relatively well-matched in terms of their standing relative to their respective categories.

In 3DMark tests, the CPU shows progressive scaling: 1942 at 2 threads, 3537 at 4 threads, 5172 at 8 threads, 6441 at 16 threads, and 6829 at max threads. This pattern suggests that the processor can effectively utilize up to 16 threads, with diminishing returns beyond that point. The single-thread score of 1025 is respectable but not exceptional, which is typical for a mobile chip with a 45 W TDP. For the GPU, the Geekbench scores are 22759 in OpenCL and 30043 in Vulkan. The Vulkan score is notably higher, indicating that the Radeon 860M performs better in APIs that are more commonly used in gaming and compute tasks.

The GPU's nearest rivals include the NVIDIA GeForce MX550, which scores 26421 (a -0.1% delta relative to the Radeon 860M), and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060, which scores 26331 (a 0.3% delta). More surprisingly, the AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT 50th Anniversary scores 26553 (-0.6% delta) and the NVIDIA RTX A4000 scores 26683 (-1.1% delta). These comparisons are based on average benchmark scores, which may not fully reflect gaming performance, but they indicate that the 860M is competitive with older discrete GPUs in synthetic tests.

It is important to note that no measured FPS data exists for this exact CPU+GPU combination. The FACT PACK contains no measuredFps rows, so all frame rate discussions are estimates based on the benchmark scores. The CPU's strong multi-threaded scores and the GPU's 72nd percentile ranking suggest that the system can handle modern games, but the integrated nature of the GPU will limit performance at higher resolutions and settings.

GPU Analysis

The AMD Radeon 860M is an integrated graphics processor based on the RDNA 3.5 architecture, manufactured on TSMC's 4 nm process. It is part of the Krackan Point chip, which is also used in the Strix Point mobile platform. The GPU has a base clock of 600 MHz and a boost clock of 3000 MHz, which is a significant range that allows for power savings when idle and high performance under load. Memory is system shared, with the bus width and bandwidth also being system dependent, meaning the GPU's performance is closely tied to the system's RAM configuration.

The GPU features 512 shading units, 32 texture mapping units, and 16 raster output pipelines. It also includes 8 ray tracing cores, which is notable for an integrated part and enables hardware-accelerated ray tracing in supported titles. The pixel rate is 48.00 GPixel/s and the texture rate is 96.00 GTexel/s, providing a baseline for fill rate performance. The FP32 performance is 3.072 TFLOPS, with FP16 also at 3.072 TFLOPS (1:1), indicating that the GPU does not have a dedicated half-precision boost. The TDP is listed at 15 W, which is remarkably low for the performance level, making it suitable for thin-and-light laptops.

The Geekbench scores of 22759 in OpenCL and 30043 in Vulkan place the GPU at the 72nd percentile among all GPUs. The Vulkan score is particularly strong, suggesting that the GPU benefits from modern API usage. In terms of rivals, the NVIDIA GeForce MX550 is nearly identical with a score of 26421, while the RTX 5060 is slightly lower at 26331. The Radeon RX 5700 XT 50th Anniversary and RTX A4000 are both marginally ahead, but these are discrete desktop parts with much higher power envelopes, so the 860M's performance is impressive for an IGP.

The GPU supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4, ensuring compatibility with modern games and applications. The bus interface is PCIe 4.0 x8, which provides adequate bandwidth for an integrated GPU. Display outputs are portable device dependent, meaning they vary by laptop model. The production status is active, with a release date of 2025-02-28. The predecessor is listed as Navi II IGP, but no successor is specified. The GPU has no dedicated power connectors and is an IGP, so it relies on the system's power delivery.

Who Should Build It

This CPU+GPU pairing is best suited for users who prioritize processor performance over gaming graphics. The Intel Core i9-12900HK's 78th percentile CPU ranking makes it an excellent choice for content creators who work with video editing, 3D rendering, or software compilation. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 18288 and PassMark multi-thread score of 25697 indicate that the CPU can handle demanding multi-threaded workloads without bottlenecking. The 14 cores and 20 threads provide ample parallel processing power for tasks like video encoding or 3D scene rendering.

For gamers, the system is a mixed bag. The CPU is more than capable of feeding a discrete GPU, but the integrated Radeon 860M limits frame rates at higher resolutions. The GPU's 72nd percentile ranking means it can handle esports titles and older games at 1080p, but it will struggle with modern AAA games at ultra settings. The estimated FPS figures, based on the benchmark scores, suggest that this build is not intended for high-refresh-rate gaming at 1440p or 4K.

Students and small business users will find this build adequate for everyday tasks. The CPU's single-thread score of 3567 in PassMark ensures snappy responsiveness in office applications, web browsing, and spreadsheet work. The GPU's Vulkan score of 30043 indicates that it can handle light photo editing or 2D design work. The 45 W TDP of the CPU and 15 W TDP of the GPU also make this pairing suitable for laptops that need a balance between performance and battery life.

Upgrade Path and Platform

The Intel Core i9-12900HK uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket, which is a soldered mobile platform. This means the CPU cannot be upgraded without replacing the entire motherboard or laptop. The memory support includes DDR4 and DDR5, with a dual-channel memory bus. The choice of memory type will affect the system's performance, as DDR5 offers higher bandwidth. The CPU supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), which is sufficient for a discrete GPU and NVMe storage.

The GPU is an integrated part, so there is no upgrade path for graphics without switching to a different system. The suggested PSU is not specified, but the combined TDP of 45 W for the CPU and 15 W for the GPU is low, meaning the system does not require a high-capacity power supply. A sensible next upgrade would be to ensure the system has fast DDR5 memory, as the GPU's performance is system dependent on memory bandwidth. The 24 MB L3 cache on the CPU is generous and should not be a bottleneck for most workloads.

The platform supports up to 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes from the CPU, which can be used for a discrete GPU if the laptop has an available slot, though this is unlikely given the integrated design. The memory bus is dual-channel, and the lack of ECC memory support means this is not a workstation for error-critical tasks. The production status is active for both components, so replacement parts and drivers should be available for the foreseeable future.

Gaming Performance

No measured FPS data exists for this exact CPU+GPU combination, so all frame rate expectations are estimates derived from the benchmark scores. The CPU's 3DMark scores indicate strong processing power, but the GPU's 72nd percentile ranking suggests that gaming performance will be moderate. The Radeon 860M's Vulkan score of 30043 is a positive indicator for DirectX 12 and Vulkan-based games, which are the majority of modern titles.

At 1080p with low to medium settings, the GPU should be able to handle esports titles like Counter-Strike or League of Legends at playable frame rates, given its FP32 throughput of 3.072 TFLOPS and 8 RT cores. For more demanding AAA games, the system will likely need to drop to 720p or use upscaling technologies to maintain playable frame rates. The integrated nature of the GPU means that system memory speed will have a significant impact on performance, as the GPU shares memory with the CPU.

The CPU's high single-thread score of 1025 in 3DMark suggests that it will not bottleneck the GPU in most gaming scenarios. However, the GPU is the limiting factor, and users should not expect high-refresh-rate gaming at 1440p or above. The estimated FPS figures, based on the benchmark scores, indicate that the system is best suited for casual gaming or as a secondary machine for less demanding titles.

Balance and Bottleneck

The balance between the CPU and GPU is heavily skewed toward the CPU. The i9-12900HK's 78th percentile ranking far exceeds the GPU's 72nd percentile, but the gap in raw performance is more significant. The CPU's average benchmark score of 26469 is nearly identical to the GPU's 26401, but this is misleading because the CPU's scores are spread across many more tests. In gaming workloads, the GPU will be the primary bottleneck, as it is responsible for rendering frames.

The CPU's PassMark physics score of 1673 and 3DMark 16-thread score of 6441 suggest that it can handle game physics and AI computations without issue. However, the GPU's 16 ROPs and 512 shading units limit its ability to fill pixels and process complex shaders. The FPS scaling, estimated from the benchmark scores, shows that the system will perform adequately at lower resolutions and settings but will not scale well to higher resolutions.

In content creation workloads, the CPU is the clear workhorse, with the GPU providing acceleration for certain tasks like video encoding or OpenCL compute. The GPU's OpenCL score of 22759 is respectable, but it is not a substitute for a discrete GPU in heavy rendering scenarios. The system's overall balance is that of a productivity-focused laptop with light gaming capabilities.

Build Overview

This build pairs the Intel Core i9-12900HK with the AMD Radeon 860M in a laptop-class configuration. The CPU is a 14-core, 20-thread Alder Lake-H part with a 45 W TDP, while the GPU is an RDNA 3.5 integrated part with a 15 W TDP. The combined percentile is 75, placing this system in the upper quartile of all laptop configurations. The CPU's percentile is 78, while the GPU's is 72, indicating that the processor is the stronger component.

The CPU's average benchmark score is 26469, with the GPU's average at 26401. These scores are remarkably close, but they represent different types of performance. The build class is laptop, meaning it is designed for portable use. The overall tier, based on the percentiles, is that of a high-end productivity laptop with entry-level gaming capabilities. The system is not a gaming powerhouse, but it offers excellent CPU performance for content creation and development tasks.

FAQ

Q: What is the combined performance percentile of this CPU+GPU pairing?

A: The combined percentile is 75, meaning this system outperforms 75% of laptop configurations in the database.

Q: How does the Intel Core i9-12900HK compare to its nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-1280P?

A: The two processors have identical average benchmark scores of 26469, resulting in a 0% delta between them.

Q: What is the GPU's benchmark score in Geekbench Vulkan?

A: The AMD Radeon 860M scores 30043 in the Geekbench Vulkan test, which is higher than its OpenCL score of 22759.

Q: Does this system have measured FPS data for gaming?

A: No, the FACT PACK contains no measured FPS rows for this exact combination, so all gaming frame rates are estimates based on benchmark scores.

Q: What is the memory support for the Intel Core i9-12900HK?

A: The CPU supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, with a dual-channel memory bus, but ECC memory is not supported.

Q: How many ray tracing cores does the AMD Radeon 860M have?

A: The GPU has 8 ray tracing cores, which enables hardware-accelerated ray tracing in supported titles.

Q: What is the process node for the AMD Radeon 860M?

A: The GPU is manufactured on TSMC's 4 nm process, while the CPU uses Intel's 10 nm process.

Usage Scenarios

High-refresh gaming: This system is not ideal for high-refresh gaming, as the GPU's 72nd percentile ranking and 512 shading units limit frame rates. Estimated FPS at 1080p with low settings will be playable for esports titles, but the system will struggle with modern AAA games at high refresh rates.

Streaming: The CPU's 20 threads and strong multi-core scores (Cinebench R23 multi-core of 18288) provide ample headroom for encoding and streaming simultaneously. The GPU's Vulkan score of 30043 ensures that the system can handle the rendering side of streaming for less demanding games.

Video editing: The CPU is the star here, with PassMark multi-thread score of 25697 and 3DMark max-thread score of 6829. Video editing software that leverages multi-core processing will perform well, though the GPU's compute capabilities are limited for effects-heavy work.

3D rendering: The Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 8958 and R15 multi-core score of 2786 indicate that the CPU can handle CPU-based rendering. GPU-accelerated rendering will be slower due to the 3.072 TFLOPS FP32 performance of the Radeon 860M, but it is still possible for smaller scenes.

Software development: The CPU's high integer math score of 89527 and data compression score of 294908 make it well-suited for compiling code and handling large datasets. The 24 MB L3 cache helps with frequently accessed data.

Student and office work: The PassMark single-thread score of 3567 ensures responsive performance in office applications and web browsing. The GPU's 15 W TDP contributes to longer battery life, making this a practical choice for portability.