Core i5-12450H vs Core i9-9900

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i5-12450H vs Core i9-9900 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-12450H vs Core i9-9900: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-12450H

2022

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.
✅75% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9900 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (16,133 vs 16,238).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i9-9900.

Core i9-9900

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +22.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-12450H.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $423 MSRP, while Core i5-12450H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Core i5-12450H moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-9900 better than Core i5-12450H?

Yes. Core i9-9900 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 22.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.7% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-9900 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 22.9% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-9900 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i9-9900 is the better buy right now. Core i9-9900 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $423 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 22.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (38.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-12450H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2019) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12450H vs Core i9-9900 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-12450H

The Core i5-12450H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture. It features 8 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 16,133 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i9-9900

The Core i9-9900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 16,238 points. Launch price was $439.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12450H packs 8 cores / 12 threads, matching the Core i9-9900's 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12450H versus 5 GHz on the Core i9-9900 — a 12.8% clock advantage for the Core i9-9900 (base: 2 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i5-12450H uses the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-9900 uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12450H scores 16,133 against the Core i9-9900's 16,238 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i9-9900. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,100 vs 1,637, a 24.8% lead for the Core i5-12450H that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-12450H vs 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900.

Feature	Core i5-12450H	Core i9-9900
Cores / Threads	8 / 12	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	5 GHz+14%
Base Clock	2 GHz	3.1 GHz+55%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	16 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-H (2022)	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
PassMark	16,133	16,238
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	7,619
Geekbench 6 Single	2,100+28%	1,637
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	7,619

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12450H uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-9900 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5-5200 on the Core i5-12450H versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i9-9900 — the Core i5-12450H supports 95% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-9900 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 28 (Core i5-12450H) vs 16 (Core i9-9900) — the Core i5-12450H offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM670,WM690 (Core i5-12450H) and Z390,B365 (Core i9-9900).

Feature	Core i5-12450H	Core i9-9900
Socket	FCBGA1744	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5-5200+95%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	28+75%	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12450H) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-9900). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics for 12th Gen (Core i5-12450H) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i9-9900) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12450H targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12450H rivals Ryzen 5 6600H.

Feature	Core i5-12450H	Core i9-9900
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics for 12th Gen	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Performance Laptop	—