Core i7-12850HX vs Xeon E7-4890 v2
Core i7-12850HX
Xeon E7-4890 v2
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 i7-12850HX
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E7-4890 v2
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-12850HX | Xeon E7-4890 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| 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-HX (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-12850HX | Xeon E7-4890 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 i7-12850HX and Xeon E7-4890 v2
Core i7-12850HX
The Core i7-12850HX 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 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 25 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: 30,596 points. Launch price was $499.
Xeon E7-4890 v2
The Xeon E7-4890 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 15 cores and 30 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 37.5 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 155 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 30,946 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
The Core i7-12850HX packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon E7-4890 v2 offers 15 cores / 30 threads — the Core i7-12850HX has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-12850HX versus 3.4 GHz on the Xeon E7-4890 v2 — a 34.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-12850HX (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i7-12850HX is built on the Alder Lake-HX (2022) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i7-12850HX scores 30,596 against the Xeon E7-4890 v2's 30,946 — a 1.1% lead for the Xeon E7-4890 v2. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12850HX vs 37.5 MB on the Xeon E7-4890 v2.
| Feature | Core i7-12850HX | Xeon E7-4890 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 16 / 24+7% | 15 / 30 |
| Boost Clock | 4.8 GHz+41% | 3.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.1 GHz | 2.8 GHz+33% |
| L3 Cache | 25 MB (total) | 37.5 MB+50% |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | — |
| Process | Intel 7 nm-68% | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-HX (2022) | — |
| PassMark | 30,596 | 30,946+1% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 6,500 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 730 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 5,500 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-12850HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E7-4890 v2 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i7-12850HX versus DDR3-1600 on the Xeon E7-4890 v2 — the Core i7-12850HX supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E7-4890 v2 supports up to 1536 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 169.2% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-12850HX) vs 4 (Xeon E7-4890 v2). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-12850HX) vs 32 (Xeon E7-4890 v2) — the Xeon E7-4890 v2 offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core i7-12850HX | Xeon E7-4890 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1964 | LGA2011 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+67% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800+67% | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 1536 GB+1100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 4+100% |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 32+60% |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i7-12850HX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i7-12850HX supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-12850HX) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon E7-4890 v2). The Core i7-12850HX includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Xeon E7-4890 v2 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-12850HX targets Mobile Workstation, Xeon E7-4890 v2 targets Enterprise Server (Legacy). Direct competitor: Xeon E7-4890 v2 rivals Xeon E5-2697 v2.
| Feature | Core i7-12850HX | Xeon E7-4890 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 770 | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | Yes | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Mobile Workstation | Enterprise Server (Legacy) |
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