SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core i9-12950HX + AMD Radeon 860M

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

Build Configuration

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PROCESSOR (CPU)

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GRAPHICS CARD (GPU)

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93 Score

Top 7% Ranking

93 / 100

ULTIMATE READY

Apex Performer

Top 7% 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%

GPU

93%

PROCESSOR

Intel Core i9-12950HX

42,487 Benchmark Score

Top 7% 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 i9-12950HX and AMD Radeon 860M form an unusual pairing inside a laptop, combining a high-end 16-core mobile processor with a modern integrated GPU. This combination targets users who prioritize heavy multi-threaded CPU work but do not require a discrete graphics solution. The data shows a processor that sits at the 88th percentile among all CPUs, while the integrated graphics land at the 72nd percentile among all GPUs, resulting in a combined system percentile of 80. This analysis interprets the benchmark results to clarify what this hardware can and cannot do for potential users.

CPU Analysis

The Intel Core i9-12950HX is a mobile processor from the Alder Lake-HX family, built on Intel's 10 nm process with a die size of 215 mm². It features a hybrid architecture with 16 cores and 24 threads, a configuration designed to handle heavily parallel workloads. The base clock runs at 2.30 GHz, with a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. This chip is part of the Core 12th Gen series, released in May 2022, and its production status remains active. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory through a dual-channel bus, and it includes ECC memory support, a feature typically associated with workstation-class reliability.

Benchmark results quantify the CPU's capability. In Cinebench R23, the processor scores 20263 points in multi-core and 1885 points in single-core tests. The multi-core result is particularly telling: it places the chip just 0.4% ahead of the Intel Core i9-12900K, a desktop flagship, and 1% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 7400. This suggests the mobile chip delivers desktop-level multi-threaded performance, which is exceptional for a laptop processor. The single-core score of 1885 is more modest, reflecting the balance between the high boost clock and the power constraints of a mobile platform.

Looking at other workloads, the PassMark suite shows strong results. The multithread score of 31673 is complemented by a single-thread score of 3778. Data compression performance reaches 367930, while encryption hits 21395, indicating solid throughput for security-related tasks. The extended instructions score of 22163 and floating-point math score of 80402 suggest the chip handles scientific and financial calculations well. Integer math reaches 109586, and random string sorting scores 41209, reflecting good general-purpose processing power. The physics score of 2084 and find prime numbers score of 135 are lower but still functional.

The average benchmark score for this CPU is 42487, which is nearly identical to the Intel Core i9-12900K's 42335. The deltaPct values against its nearest rivals are all within 1%, meaning performance is statistically tied with those desktop parts. This is remarkable for a mobile chip with a 55 W TDP, as it indicates the Alder Lake-HX architecture scales effectively in thermally constrained environments. For real workloads, this means video encoding, 3D rendering, and software compilation will perform at levels previously reserved for desktop PCs, while single-thread responsiveness remains competitive but not class-leading.

Upgrade Path and Platform

The Intel Core i9-12950HX uses the Intel BGA 1964 socket, which is a soldered, non-upgradeable mobile platform. This means the CPU is permanently attached to the motherboard, so users cannot swap it for a newer processor. The system's memory support includes DDR4 and DDR5, offering flexibility in configuration, but the memory bus is dual-channel, limiting bandwidth compared to quad-channel workstation platforms. ECC memory support is present, which is valuable for data integrity in professional workloads.

The PCIe interface is Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU, providing high-bandwidth connectivity for fast NVMe storage and external GPUs, assuming the laptop manufacturer implements those lanes. The integrated graphics is Intel UHD Graphics 770, which serves as a fallback display output, but the primary graphics in this build is the AMD Radeon 860M. The CPU's power envelope is 55 W TDP, which is relatively high for a laptop, requiring a robust cooling solution and a capable battery to sustain performance. The suggested PSU is not specified, but given the mobile class, power delivery is handled by the laptop's adapter and internal VRM design.

A sensible next upgrade for this platform is limited by the soldered CPU. Users looking to improve graphics performance could rely on an external GPU enclosure connected via PCIe Gen 5 lanes, though this is a niche solution. Memory upgrades are possible, allowing users to move from DDR4 to DDR5 if the motherboard supports both, but the dual-channel bus remains a fixed constraint. Storage upgrades via PCIe Gen 5 NVMe drives would maximize throughput, but the overall platform longevity is tied to the laptop's other components, such as the display and battery, rather than the CPU socket.

Benchmark Performance

The combined picture from the benchmark data shows a system with a clear split: the CPU is a high-end performer, while the GPU is a mid-range integrated solution. The CPU's percentile rank of 88 means it outperforms 88% of all CPUs in the database, and its average score of 42487 places it in the same league as desktop chips like the Intel Core i9-12900K (score 42335, deltaPct 0.4) and Intel Core i9-12900KF (score 42830, deltaPct -0.8). This is a strong showing for a mobile part.

The GPU, AMD Radeon 860M, scores 22759 in Geekbench OpenCL and 30043 in Geekbench Vulkan, with an average benchmark score of 26401. This places it at the 72nd percentile, meaning it beats 72% of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals include the NVIDIA GeForce MX550 (score 26421, deltaPct -0.1) and the AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT 50th Anniversary (score 26553, deltaPct -0.6). The performance is essentially tied with these parts, indicating the integrated GPU offers discrete-level graphics from a few generations ago.

The combined percentile for the system is 80, reflecting the CPU's strength pulling the overall score upward. Benchmark results indicate that for CPU-bound tasks like video editing or software compilation, this system will outperform most laptops, but for GPU-bound tasks like high-resolution gaming, it will fall behind modern discrete graphics. The data suggests a balanced profile for productivity work, but a lopsided one for gaming or rendering workloads that rely heavily on the GPU.

Usage Scenarios

High-refresh gaming: The AMD Radeon 860M's performance, tied with the GeForce MX550, suggests it can handle esports titles at low to medium settings, but the lack of measured FPS data means expectations must be qualitative. The CPU's strong single-thread score of 3778 in PassMark helps maintain frame pacing, but the GPU is the limiting factor for high-refresh displays.

Streaming: The CPU's 16 cores and 24 threads are excellent for encoding video while gaming, as the Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 20263 provides ample headroom for x264 encoding. The GPU's Vulkan score of 30043 could assist with hardware encoding, but the integrated nature means shared memory bandwidth may cause hiccups under heavy load.

Video editing: This is a strong use case, as the CPU's PassMark multithread score of 31673 and data compression score of 367930 indicate fast timeline scrubbing and export times. The GPU's OpenCL score of 22759 can accelerate effects, but the system shared memory may limit 4K editing with complex transitions.

3D rendering: The CPU excels here, with Cinebench R23 multi-core of 20263 rivaling desktop parts, making CPU-based rendering in Blender or V-Ray very feasible. GPU rendering would be slow due to the Radeon 860M's 3.072 TFLOPS FP32 performance, which is modest compared to discrete cards.

Software development: The CPU's high integer math score of 109586 and extended instructions score of 22163 make compilation and code analysis fast. The ECC memory support adds reliability for long-running builds, and the 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes allow for fast NVMe storage for large codebases.

Student and office work: This is overkill for basic tasks, but the CPU's efficiency at single-thread workloads (PassMark single-thread 3778) ensures snappy responsiveness in web browsing and document editing. The GPU's 72nd percentile means it can handle light photo editing and video playback without issue.

FAQ

Q: What is the core and thread count of the Intel Core i9-12950HX?

A: The CPU has 16 cores and 24 threads, based on its Alder Lake hybrid architecture.

Q: How does the CPU compare to the Intel Core i9-12900K in benchmarks?

A: The i9-12950HX has an average benchmark score of 42487, which is 0.4% higher than the i9-12900K's 42335, indicating near-identical multi-threaded performance.

Q: What is the GPU's memory configuration?

A: The AMD Radeon 860M uses System Shared memory, meaning it draws from the system's RAM, with bandwidth described as System Dependent.

Q: Does the CPU support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i9-12950HX supports ECC memory, which is useful for error-correcting workloads.

Q: What is the GPU's percentile ranking among all GPUs?

A: The Radeon 860M sits at the 72nd percentile, with an average benchmark score of 26401.

Q: What is the CPU's boost clock speed?

A: The boost clock is 5.00 GHz, while the base clock is 2.30 GHz.

Q: Is the CPU socket upgradeable?

A: No, the CPU uses Intel BGA 1964, which is a soldered mobile socket, so it cannot be replaced.

Gaming Performance

No measured FPS rows exist for this exact combination of Intel Core i9-12950HX and AMD Radeon 860M. The FACT PACK contains no measuredFps data for this pairing, so all FPS figures presented here are estimates derived from the benchmark scores. The GPU's average benchmark score of 26401, tied with the NVIDIA GeForce MX550, suggests it can run older or less demanding games at 1080p with medium settings, but modern AAA titles will likely require low settings to achieve playable frame rates. The CPU's high performance ensures that frame rates will be GPU-limited in most scenarios, meaning the bottleneck is clearly on the graphics side.

For esports titles like Counter-Strike or League of Legends, the GPU's Vulkan score of 30043 indicates it can push high frame rates at 1080p, potentially exceeding 60 FPS on medium settings. For more demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Starfield, the GPU's FP32 performance of 3.072 TFLOPS is insufficient for high settings, and users should expect 30-40 FPS at best on low settings. The CPU's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 20263 ensures that background tasks won't interfere with gaming, but the integrated GPU's shared memory bandwidth will cause stuttering in texture-heavy scenes. Overall, this system is not designed for serious gaming, and any FPS expectations should be tempered by the GPU's mid-range standing.

Who Should Build It

This CPU+GPU pairing targets professionals and students who need heavy CPU compute in a portable form factor without discrete graphics. The Intel Core i9-12950HX's 88th percentile rank makes it ideal for video editors working with 4K timelines, as the Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 20263 accelerates rendering and export. Software developers compiling large codebases will benefit from the integer math score of 109586, while data scientists can leverage the ECC memory support for reliable long-running simulations.

Content creators who work primarily in CPU-based workflows, such as 3D modeling in Blender or music production with many tracks, will find the 16 cores and 24 threads sufficient for their needs. Students in engineering or computer science programs can handle demanding workloads like MATLAB or CAD, though the GPU limits any GPU-accelerated tasks. Small business workstations that need to run virtual machines or handle large databases will appreciate the multithread score of 31673, but they should note the lack of a discrete GPU for graphical tasks.

Build Overview

This build is a laptop-class system, as indicated by the buildClass field, combining a mobile Intel Core i9-12950HX processor with an AMD Radeon 860M integrated GPU. The CPU is a 12th Gen Alder Lake-HX part, while the GPU is a Krackan Point chip based on RDNA 3.5 architecture. The overall tier of this system is defined by its combined percentile of 80, which places it above 80% of all systems in the database. This is a high-end productivity machine with a mid-range graphics component, suitable for users who prioritize CPU performance over gaming or GPU rendering.

The CPU's average benchmark score of 42487 is a clear strength, putting it in the top 12% of all CPUs. The GPU's average score of 26401 is more modest, landing in the top 28% of all GPUs. This creates a system that is excellent for CPU-bound tasks but only average for GPU-bound ones. The build is best described as a professional workstation in laptop form, with the caveat that it lacks the dedicated graphics power found in gaming laptops or mobile workstations with discrete GPUs.

Balance and Bottleneck

The data shows a significant imbalance between the CPU and GPU, with the CPU being the dominant component. In CPU-bound workloads like Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i9-12950HX scores 20263, which is 0.4% ahead of the desktop i9-12900K, indicating no bottleneck from the GPU. However, in GPU-bound tasks like gaming or GPU rendering, the Radeon 860M's average score of 26401 limits overall performance, with the CPU often waiting on the GPU to complete frames.

The FPS scaling in games would be dictated entirely by the GPU, as the CPU's single-thread score of 3778 in PassMark is sufficient to feed any frame rate the integrated GPU can produce. For video editing, the bottleneck shifts depending on the task: the CPU handles encoding and processing well, but GPU-accelerated effects will be limited by the Radeon 860M's 3.072 TFLOPS FP32 performance. The combined percentile of 80 reflects this split, showing a system that is well-balanced for productivity but poorly balanced for graphics-intensive applications.

GPU Analysis

The AMD Radeon 860M is an integrated GPU based on the RDNA 3.5 architecture, manufactured on TSMC's 4 nm process. It features 512 shading units, 32 texture mapping units, and 16 raster output pipelines, along with 8 ray tracing cores. The base clock runs at 600 MHz, boosting to 3000 MHz, which is a high boost for an integrated part. The memory is System Shared, meaning it uses the laptop's main RAM, with bandwidth described as System Dependent, so performance varies based on memory speed and configuration.

The GPU's compute capabilities include an FP32 performance of 3.072 TFLOPS and FP16 of 3.072 TFLOPS, indicating a 1:1 ratio. The pixel rate is 48.00 GPixel/s, and the texture rate is 96.00 GTexel/s, which are modest figures. Benchmark results show a Geekbench OpenCL score of 22759 and a Vulkan score of 30043, with an average score of 26401. This places it at the 72nd percentile, tied with the NVIDIA GeForce MX550 (deltaPct -0.1) and slightly ahead of the RTX 5060 (deltaPct 0.3). The GPU supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4, making it compatible with modern APIs, but its rendering performance for 3D applications is limited by the shared memory and modest compute power.

The TDP is 15 W, which is low, but this is an integrated part with no power connectors or dedicated cooling. For rendering tasks, the GPU can handle basic 2D and light 3D workloads, but it will struggle with complex scenes or high resolutions. The ray tracing cores are present but underpowered, so any RT-heavy games will run poorly. Overall, the Radeon 860M is a competent integrated GPU for everyday tasks and light gaming, but it is not a substitute for a discrete graphics card.

Rate My PC: Intel Core i9-12950HX + AMD Radeon 860M

Apex Performer

System Balance Analysis

Intel Core i9-12950HX

AMD Radeon 860M

Market Position

Game Performance Benchmarks

Cyberpunk 2077

Red Dead Redemption 2

Microsoft Flight Simulator

Control

Call of Duty: Warzone

Fortnite

Performance Insights

Optimal Performance

4K Gaming Ready

Performance Tiers Explained

Ultimate

High-End

Mid-Range

Entry Level

Legacy

CPU Analysis

Upgrade Path and Platform

Benchmark Performance

Usage Scenarios

FAQ

Gaming Performance

Who Should Build It

Build Overview

Balance and Bottleneck

GPU Analysis

4K Gaming Performance

Cyberpunk 2077

Red Dead Redemption 2

Microsoft Flight Simulator

Control

Call of Duty: Warzone

Fortnite

1440p Gaming Performance

Cyberpunk 2077

Red Dead Redemption 2

Microsoft Flight Simulator

Control

Call of Duty: Warzone

Fortnite

1080p Gaming Performance

Cyberpunk 2077

Red Dead Redemption 2

Microsoft Flight Simulator

Control

Call of Duty: Warzone

Fortnite

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