Core i9-11900KB vs Core i9-12900TE

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 i9-11900KB vs Core i9-12900TE 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 i9-11900KB vs Core i9-12900TE: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-11900KB

2021

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics, while Core i9-12900TE needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-12900TE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (22,693 vs 22,887).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 42.1 vs 46.3 PassMark/$ ($539 MSRP vs $494 MSRP).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Core i9-12900TE

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Costs $45 less on MSRP ($494 MSRP vs $539 MSRP).
✅Delivers 10.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 46.3 vs 42.1 PassMark/$ ($494 MSRP vs $539 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-11900KB can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-12900TE better than Core i9-11900KB?

Yes. Core i9-12900TE is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.9% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-12900TE is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.7% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-12900TE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 24 MB).

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

Core i9-12900TE is the better buy right now. Core i9-12900TE comes in $45 cheaper on MSRP at $494 MSRP versus $539 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 10.0% better value on MSRP (46.3 vs 42.1 PassMark/$), 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 i9-12900TE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2021), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1787, 25% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 24 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 24 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-11900KB vs Core i9-12900TE Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-11900KB

The Core i9-11900KB is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Maio 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 22,693 points. Launch price was $539.

Core i9-12900TE

The Core i9-12900TE 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 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 22,887 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-11900KB packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i9-12900TE offers 16 cores / 24 threads — the Core i9-12900TE has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i9-11900KB versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i9-12900TE — a 2.1% clock advantage for the Core i9-11900KB (base: 3.3 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i9-11900KB uses the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Core i9-12900TE uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-11900KB scores 22,693 against the Core i9-12900TE's 22,887 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i9-12900TE. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-11900KB vs 30 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900TE.

Feature	Core i9-11900KB	Core i9-12900TE
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	16 / 24+100%
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+2%	4.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+200%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	30 MB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm SuperFin	10 nm
Architecture	Tiger Lake-H (2021)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	22,693	22,887
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,264	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	10,645	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-11900KB uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i9-12900TE uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i9-11900KB	Core i9-12900TE
Socket	FCBGA1787	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-11900KB) / not specified (Core i9-12900TE). The Core i9-11900KB includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics), while the Core i9-12900TE requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i9-11900KB	Core i9-12900TE
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	Yes	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-11900KB was priced at $539, while the Core i9-12900TE came in at $494. On launch pricing ($539 vs $494), Core i9-12900TE was $45 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-11900KB delivers 42.1 pts/$ vs 46.3 pts/$ for the Core i9-12900TE — making the Core i9-12900TE the 9.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-11900KB	Core i9-12900TE
MSRP	$539	$494-8%
Performance per Dollar	42.1	46.3+10%
Release Date	2021	2022

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