Core i5-14500HX vs Core i9-12900E

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 i5-14500HX vs Core i9-12900E 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 i5-14500HX vs Core i9-12900E: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-14500HX

2024

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher Geekbench multi-core.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-12900E across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 30 MB).

Core i9-12900E

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +18.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 24 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (13,107 vs 13,150).
❌Launch MSRP is still $500 MSRP, while Core i5-14500HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-12900E better than Core i5-14500HX?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-12900E is ahead with a 18.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-14500HX pulls ahead with 0.3% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i9-12900E also has the bigger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 24 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-14500HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads.

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

Core i9-12900E is the better buy right now. Core i9-12900E comes in at an unclear MSRP at $500 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 18.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-14500HX is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.3% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (56.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-14500HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2022) and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 20 threads instead of 16/24. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-14500HX vs Core i9-12900E Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-14500HX

The Core i5-14500HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-HX Refresh (2024) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): + 24 MB. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 28,383 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i9-12900E

The Core i9-12900E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 30 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: 28,170 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-14500HX packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i9-12900E offers 16 cores / 24 threads — the Core i9-12900E has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i5-14500HX versus 5 GHz on the Core i9-12900E — a 2% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900E (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-14500HX uses the Raptor Lake-HX Refresh (2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-12900E uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-14500HX scores 28,383 against the Core i9-12900E's 28,170 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-14500HX. Multi-core Geekbench: 13,150 vs 13,107 (0.3% advantage for the Core i5-14500HX). L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i5-14500HX vs 30 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900E.

Feature	Core i5-14500HX	Core i9-12900E
Cores / Threads	14 / 20	16 / 24+14%
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz	5 GHz+2%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+13%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	30 MB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+60%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-30%	10 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-HX Refresh (2024)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	28,383	28,170
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	13,420
Geekbench 6 Single	2,409	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	13,150	13,107

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-14500HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-12900E uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i5-14500HX versus DDR5-4800 on the Core i9-12900E — the Core i5-14500HX supports 16.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-14500HX supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM770 (Core i5-14500HX) and LGA1700 (Core i9-12900E).

Feature	Core i5-14500HX	Core i9-12900E
Socket	FCBGA1964	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600+17%	DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+50%	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i5-14500HX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i9-12900E supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics (Core i5-14500HX) and UHD Graphics 770 (Core i9-12900E) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-14500HX targets Gaming Laptop.