Core i7-12700H vs Core i9-12900HK
Core i7-12700H
Core i9-12900HK
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-12700H
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-12900HK
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-12700H | Core i9-12900HK |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-H (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-H (2022) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-12700H | Core i9-12900HK |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-12700H and Core i9-12900HK
Core i7-12700H
The Core i7-12700H 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 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 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: 25,365 points. Launch price was $299.
Core i9-12900HK
The Core i9-12900HK 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: 25,512 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
Both the Core i7-12700H and Core i9-12900HK share an identical 14-core/20-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-12700H versus 5 GHz on the Core i9-12900HK — a 6.2% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900HK (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). Both are built on the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture using a Intel 7 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i7-12700H scores 25,365 against the Core i9-12900HK's 25,512 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i9-12900HK. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 15,453 vs 18,197 (16.3% advantage for the Core i9-12900HK). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,648 vs 1,938, a 31% lead for the Core i7-12700H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 12,802 vs 13,317 (3.9% advantage for the Core i9-12900HK). Both processors carry 24 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i7-12700H | Core i9-12900HK |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 14 / 20 | 14 / 20 |
| Boost Clock | 4.7 GHz | 5 GHz+6% |
| Base Clock | 2.3 GHz | 2.5 GHz+9% |
| L3 Cache | 24 MB (total) | 24 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |
| Process | Intel 7 nm | Intel 7 nm |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-H (2022) | Alder Lake-H (2022) |
| PassMark | 25,365 | 25,512 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 15,453 | 18,197+18% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,648+37% | 1,938 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 12,802 | 13,317+4% |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the FCBGA1744 socket with PCIe 4.0. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-12700H) vs 28 (Core i9-12900HK) — the Core i9-12900HK offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core i7-12700H | Core i9-12900HK |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1744 | FCBGA1744 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 5.0+25% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800 | DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 28+40% |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i9-12900HK has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-12700H) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i9-12900HK). Both include integrated graphics — Iris Xe 96EU (Core i7-12700H) and Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EUs) (Core i9-12900HK) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-12700H targets Workstation, Core i9-12900HK targets Enthusiast Gaming Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-12700H rivals Ryzen 7 6800H; Core i9-12900HK rivals Ryzen 9 6900HX.
| Feature | Core i7-12700H | Core i9-12900HK |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Iris Xe 96EU | Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EUs) |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Workstation | Enthusiast Gaming Laptop |
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