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 i7-12800HE vs Core i9-10920X 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 i7-12800HE vs Core i9-10920X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-12800HE

2022

Why buy it

✅+1.7% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅+24.7% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 19 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 165W, a 120W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2066 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics, while Core i9-10920X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-10920X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Core i9-10920X

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅57.1% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 28) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (12,000 vs 12,200).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (19 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $689 MSRP, while Core i7-12800HE mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌266.7% higher power demand at 165W vs 45W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2066 with DDR4, while Core i7-12800HE moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-12800HE better than Core i9-10920X?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-10920X is ahead with a 9.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-12800HE pulls ahead with 1.7% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i7-12800HE also has the bigger cache pool with 24.7% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 19 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-12800HE is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.7% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 24.7% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 19 MB).

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

Core i7-12800HE is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i9-10920X is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-12800HE comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $689 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.7% better Geekbench multi-core. The compromise is that Core i9-10920X is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 9.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i9-10920X is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (37.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-12800HE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2019), a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of LGA2066, 24.7% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 19 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 20 threads instead of 12/24. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-12800HE vs Core i9-10920X Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-12800HE

The Core i7-12800HE 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 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 26,096 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i9-10920X

The Core i9-10920X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake-X (2019) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 25,875 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-12800HE packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i9-10920X offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Core i7-12800HE has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-12800HE versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i9-10920X — a 4.3% clock advantage for the Core i9-10920X (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i7-12800HE uses the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i9-10920X uses Cascade Lake-X (2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-12800HE scores 26,096 against the Core i9-10920X's 25,875 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i7-12800HE. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,750 vs 1,250, a 33.3% lead for the Core i7-12800HE that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 12,200 vs 12,000 (1.7% advantage for the Core i7-12800HE). L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i7-12800HE vs 19.25 MB (total) on the Core i9-10920X.

Feature	Core i7-12800HE	Core i9-10920X
Cores / Threads	14 / 20+17%	12 / 24
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	4.8 GHz+4%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	3.5 GHz+46%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)+25%	19.25 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+25%	1 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-H (2022)	Cascade Lake-X (2019)
PassMark	26,096	25,875
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	15,458
Geekbench 6 Single	1,750+40%	1,250
Geekbench 6 Multi	12,200+2%	12,000

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-12800HE uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-10920X uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i7-12800HE versus DDR4-2933 on the Core i9-10920X — the Core i7-12800HE supports 63.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-10920X supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-12800HE) vs 4 (Core i9-10920X). PCIe lanes: 28 (Core i7-12800HE) vs 44 (Core i9-10920X) — the Core i9-10920X offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Alder Lake-H (Core i7-12800HE) and X299 (Core i9-10920X).

Feature	Core i7-12800HE	Core i9-10920X
Socket	FCBGA1744	LGA2066
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+64%	DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	256 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	28	44+57%

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i9-10920X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i9-10920X supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-12800HE) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i9-10920X). The Core i7-12800HE includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics), while the Core i9-10920X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-12800HE targets Embedded, Core i9-10920X targets HEDT/Workstation.