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 i5-13490F vs Core i9-12900H 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 i5-13490F vs Core i9-12900H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-13490F

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $382 less on MSRP ($235 MSRP vs $617 MSRP).
✅Delivers 158.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 113.5 vs 43.9 PassMark/$ ($235 MSRP vs $617 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Intel Stock), unlike Core i9-12900H.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-12900H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-12900H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i9-12900H

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics 96EU, while Core i5-13490F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 43.9 vs 113.5 PassMark/$ ($617 MSRP vs $235 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-13490F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-12900H better than Core i5-13490F?

Yes. Core i9-12900H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.5% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-12900H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.3% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

There is no clear productivity winner in the data we have.

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

Core i9-12900H is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-13490F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-12900H comes in 162.6% more expensive on MSRP at $617 MSRP versus $235 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-13490F is also 158.6% better value on MSRP (113.5 vs 43.9 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i5-13490F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-13490F vs Core i9-12900H Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-13490F

The Core i5-13490F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 February 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 10 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 26,670 points. Launch price was $235.

Core i9-12900H

The Core i9-12900H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 24 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: 27,079 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-13490F packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i9-12900H offers 14 cores / 20 threads — the Core i9-12900H has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i5-13490F versus 5 GHz on the Core i9-12900H — a 4.1% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900H (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-13490F uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i9-12900H uses Alder Lake-H (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13490F scores 26,670 against the Core i9-12900H's 27,079 — a 1.5% lead for the Core i9-12900H. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 16,500 vs 16,500 (0% advantage for the Core i9-12900H). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,844 vs 2,400, a 26.2% lead for the Core i9-12900H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,200 vs 12,900 (14.1% advantage for the Core i9-12900H). Both processors carry 24 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-13490F	Core i9-12900H
Cores / Threads	10 / 16	14 / 20+40%
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz	5 GHz+4%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	24 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm	Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Alder Lake-H (2022)
PassMark	26,670	27,079+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	16,500	16,500
Geekbench 6 Single	1,844	2,400+30%
Geekbench 6 Multi	11,200	12,900+15%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13490F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-12900H uses FCBGA1744 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. The Core i5-13490F supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 200% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: B660,B760,H610,H670,Z690,Z790 (Core i5-13490F) and Intel 600 Series (Mobile) (Core i9-12900H).

Feature	Core i5-13490F	Core i9-12900H
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA1744
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+200%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20	20

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i9-12900H has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-13490F) vs Yes (Core i9-12900H). The Core i9-12900H includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics 96EU), while the Core i5-13490F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13490F targets Gaming, Core i9-12900H targets Mobile.

Feature	Core i5-13490F	Core i9-12900H
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Iris Xe Graphics 96EU
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	Yes
Target Use	Gaming	Mobile

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-13490F was priced at $235, while the Core i9-12900H came in at $617. On launch pricing ($235 vs $617), Core i5-13490F was $382 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13490F delivers 113.5 pts/$ vs 43.9 pts/$ for the Core i9-12900H — making the Core i5-13490F the 88.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-13490F	Core i9-12900H
MSRP	$235-62%	$617
Performance per Dollar	113.5+159%	43.9
Release Date	2023	2022

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