Core i7-13700HX vs Core i9-12950HX

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 i7-13700HX vs Core i9-12950HX 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 i7-13700HX vs Core i9-12950HX: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-13700HX

2023

Why buy it

✅+2.1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-12950HX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $485 MSRP, while Core i9-12950HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i9-12950HX

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (31,494 vs 32,157).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-13700HX better than Core i9-12950HX?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-12950HX is ahead with a 4.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-13700HX pulls ahead with 2.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-13700HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.1% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads.

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

Core i7-13700HX is the better buy right now. Core i7-13700HX comes in at an unclear MSRP at $485 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 2.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i9-12950HX is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (66.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-13700HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022) and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 24 threads instead of 16/24. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-13700HX vs Core i9-12950HX Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-13700HX

The Core i7-13700HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 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: 32,157 points. Launch price was $485.

Core i9-12950HX

The Core i9-12950HX 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 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 30 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: 31,494 points. Launch price was $499.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-13700HX and Core i9-12950HX share an identical 16-core/24-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i7-13700HX versus 5 GHz on the Core i9-12950HX — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i7-13700HX uses the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-12950HX uses Alder Lake-HX (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-13700HX scores 32,157 against the Core i9-12950HX's 31,494 — a 2.1% lead for the Core i7-13700HX. Both processors carry 30 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-13700HX	Core i9-12950HX
Cores / Threads	16 / 24	16 / 24
Boost Clock	5 GHz	5 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	2.3 GHz+10%
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)	30 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+60%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-HX (2023)	Alder Lake-HX (2022)
PassMark	32,157+2%	31,494
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	23,113
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,349
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	15,711

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the FCBGA1964 socket with PCIe 5.0. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. The Core i7-13700HX 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: Mobile (Core i7-13700HX) and HM670,WM690 (Core i9-12950HX).

Feature	Core i7-13700HX	Core i9-12950HX
Socket	FCBGA1964	FCBGA1964
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+50%	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i7-13700HX supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-13700HX) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i9-12950HX). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics (Core i7-13700HX) and Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i9-12950HX) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-12950HX targets Mobile Workstation Flagship. Direct competitor: Core i9-12950HX rivals Ryzen 9 6980HX.

Feature	Core i7-13700HX	Core i9-12950HX
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics	Intel UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Mobile Workstation Flagship