Core i7-12850HX vs Xeon Gold 6246R
Core i7-12850HX
Xeon Gold 6246R
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 Gold 6246R
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-12850HX | Xeon Gold 6246R |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-HX (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Cascade Lake (2019−2020) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-12850HX | Xeon Gold 6246R |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Gold 6246R
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 Gold 6246R
The Xeon Gold 6246R is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 February 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 35.75 MB. L2 cache: 16 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 30,468 points. Launch price was $3,286.
Processing Power
The Core i7-12850HX packs 16 cores / 24 threads, matching the Xeon Gold 6246R's 16 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-12850HX versus 4.1 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6246R — a 15.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-12850HX (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i7-12850HX uses the Alder Lake-HX (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6246R uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-12850HX scores 30,596 against the Xeon Gold 6246R's 30,468 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-12850HX. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12850HX vs 35.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 6246R.
| Feature | Core i7-12850HX | Xeon Gold 6246R |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 16 / 24 | 16 / 32 |
| Boost Clock | 4.8 GHz+17% | 4.1 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.1 GHz | 3.4 GHz+62% |
| L3 Cache | 25 MB (total) | 35.75 MB+43% |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 16 MB+1180% |
| Process | Intel 7 nm-50% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-HX (2022) | Cascade Lake (2019−2020) |
| PassMark | 30,596 | 30,468 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 16,000 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,293 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 9,848 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-12850HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon Gold 6246R uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i7-12850HX versus DDR4-2933 on the Xeon Gold 6246R — the Core i7-12850HX supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6246R supports up to 1024 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 155.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-12850HX) vs 6 (Xeon Gold 6246R). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-12850HX) vs 48 (Xeon Gold 6246R) — the Xeon Gold 6246R offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core i7-12850HX | Xeon Gold 6246R |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1964 | LGA3647 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+67% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800+25% | DDR4-2933 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 1024 GB+700% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 6+200% |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 48+140% |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i7-12850HX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-12850HX) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon Gold 6246R). The Core i7-12850HX includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Xeon Gold 6246R requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-12850HX targets Mobile Workstation, Xeon Gold 6246R targets High-frequency Server / Financial. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6246R rivals EPYC 7302.
| Feature | Core i7-12850HX | Xeon Gold 6246R |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 770 | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | Yes | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Mobile Workstation | High-frequency Server / Financial |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Core i7-12850HX and Xeon Gold 6246R
