Core i5-12450HX vs Core i7-9800X

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 i5-12450HX vs Core i7-9800X 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 i5-12450HX vs Core i7-9800X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-12450HX

2022

Why buy it

✅Draws 55W instead of 165W, a 110W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1964 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2066 and DDR4.
✅9.1% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 44) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics for 12th Gen, while Core i7-9800X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9800X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (18,064 vs 18,128).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 17 MB).

Core i7-9800X

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+37.5% larger total L3 cache (17 MB vs 12 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $589 MSRP, while Core i5-12450HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌200% higher power demand at 165W vs 55W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2066 with DDR4, while Core i5-12450HX moves to FCBGA1964 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-12450HX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-9800X better than Core i5-12450HX?

Yes. Core i7-9800X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 11.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.4% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-9800X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 11.3% 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 i7-9800X is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 37.5% larger total L3 cache (17 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i7-9800X is the better buy right now. Core i7-9800X comes in at an unclear MSRP at $589 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (30.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-12450HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2018) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1964 and DDR5 instead of LGA2066. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12450HX vs Core i7-9800X Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-12450HX

The Core i5-12450HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 May 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-HX (2022) architecture. It features 8 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 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: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 18,064 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i7-9800X

The Core i7-9800X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 16.5 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 18,128 points. Launch price was $589.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12450HX packs 8 cores / 12 threads, matching the Core i7-9800X's 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12450HX versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-9800X — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-9800X (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i5-12450HX uses the Alder Lake-HX (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-9800X uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12450HX scores 18,064 against the Core i7-9800X's 18,128 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-9800X. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,150 vs 1,372, a 44.2% lead for the Core i5-12450HX that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-12450HX vs 16.5 MB (total) on the Core i7-9800X.

Feature	Core i5-12450HX	Core i7-9800X
Cores / Threads	8 / 12	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.5 GHz+2%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	3.8 GHz+58%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	16.5 MB (total)+38%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+25%	1 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-HX (2022)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	18,064	18,128
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	13,067
Geekbench 6 Single	2,150+57%	1,372
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	7,552

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12450HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-9800X uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i5-12450HX versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9800X — the Core i5-12450HX supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-12450HX) vs 4 (Core i7-9800X). PCIe lanes: 48 (Core i5-12450HX) vs 44 (Core i7-9800X) — the Core i5-12450HX offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM670,WM690 (Core i5-12450HX) and X299 (Core i7-9800X).

Feature	Core i5-12450HX	Core i7-9800X
Socket	FCBGA1964	LGA2066
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+80%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	48+9%	44

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Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i7-9800X supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12450HX) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9800X). The Core i5-12450HX includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics for 12th Gen), while the Core i7-9800X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12450HX targets Workstation/Enthusiast Laptop, Core i7-9800X targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i5-12450HX rivals Ryzen 5 7645HX; Core i7-9800X rivals Ryzen 5 3600XT.

Feature	Core i5-12450HX	Core i7-9800X
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics for 12th Gen	—
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Workstation/Enthusiast Laptop	Workstation