Core i7-13850HX vs Core i9-12900F

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 i7-13850HX vs Core i9-12900F 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 i7-13850HX vs Core i9-12900F: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-13850HX

2023

Why buy it

✅+1.5% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics, while Core i9-12900F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-12900F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Core i9-12900F

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (35,873 vs 36,409).
❌Launch MSRP is still $494 MSRP, while Core i7-13850HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-13850HX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-13850HX better than Core i9-12900F?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-12900F is ahead with a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-13850HX pulls ahead with 1.5% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-13850HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 20 cores and 28 threads.

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

Core i7-13850HX is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i9-12900F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-13850HX comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $494 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i9-12900F is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i9-12900F is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (72.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-13850HX 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 20 cores / 28 threads instead of 16/24. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-13850HX vs Core i9-12900F Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-13850HX

The Core i7-13850HX 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 20 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 5.3 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: 36,409 points. Launch price was $428.

Core i9-12900F

The Core i9-12900F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 35,873 points. Launch price was $499.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-13850HX packs 20 cores / 28 threads, while the Core i9-12900F offers 16 cores / 24 threads — the Core i7-13850HX has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.3 GHz on the Core i7-13850HX versus 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-12900F — a 3.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-13850HX (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i7-13850HX uses the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-12900F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-13850HX scores 36,409 against the Core i9-12900F's 35,873 — a 1.5% lead for the Core i7-13850HX. Both processors carry 30 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-13850HX	Core i9-12900F
Cores / Threads	20 / 28+25%	16 / 24
Boost Clock	5.3 GHz+4%	5.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	2.4 GHz+14%
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-S (2022)
PassMark	36,409+1%	35,873

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-13850HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-12900F uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 5600 on the Core i7-13850HX versus 4800 on the Core i9-12900F — the Core i7-13850HX supports 16.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-13850HX supports up to 192 of RAM compared to 128 — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Raptor Lake-HX (Core i7-13850HX) and Z690,B660 (Core i9-12900F).

Feature	Core i7-13850HX	Core i9-12900F
Socket	FCBGA1964	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	5600+17%	4800
Max RAM Capacity	192+50%	128
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-13850HX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i7-13850HX supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i7-13850HX includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics), while the Core i9-12900F requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-13850HX rivals Ryzen 7 8845HS; Core i9-12900F rivals Ryzen 9 5900X.