Core i9-12900 vs M4 Pro (12 cores)

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 i9-12900 vs M4 Pro (12 cores) 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 i9-12900 vs M4 Pro (12 cores): Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-12900

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +15.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $519 MSRP, while M4 Pro (12 cores) mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1525% higher power demand at 65W vs 4W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike M4 Pro (12 cores).

M4 Pro (12 cores)

2024

Why buy it

✅Draws 4W instead of 65W, a 61W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Laptop Integrated), unlike Core i9-12900.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-12900 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (32,853 vs 33,695).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-12900 better than M4 Pro (12 cores)?

Yes. Core i9-12900 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 15.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 2.6% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-12900 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 15.7% 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 i9-12900 is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.6% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads.

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

Core i9-12900 is the better buy right now. Core i9-12900 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $519 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 15.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (64.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible none + DDR5 setup, M4 Pro (12 cores) can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

M4 Pro (12 cores) makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2022). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-12900 vs M4 Pro (12 cores) Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-12900

The Core i9-12900 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: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 33,695 points. Launch price was $489.

M4 Pro (12 cores)

The M4 Pro (12 cores) is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 30 October 2024 (1 year ago). It features 12 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.592 GHz, with boost up to 4.51 GHz. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 4 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5X. Passmark benchmark score: 32,853 points. Launch price was $499.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-12900 packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the M4 Pro (12 cores) offers 12 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-12900 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-12900 versus 4.51 GHz on the M4 Pro (12 cores) — a 12.3% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.592 GHz). The Core i9-12900 is built on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i9-12900 scores 33,695 against the M4 Pro (12 cores)'s 32,853 — a 2.5% lead for the Core i9-12900.

Feature	Core i9-12900	M4 Pro (12 cores)
Cores / Threads	16 / 24+33%	12 / 12
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+13%	4.51 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.592 GHz+8%
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	4 MB+220%
Process	Intel 7 nm	3 nm-57%
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	—
PassMark	33,695+3%	32,853
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	18,904
Geekbench 6 Single	—	3,812
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	20,076

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-12900 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the M4 Pro (12 cores) uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 4800 on the Core i9-12900 versus LPDDR5x-8000 on the M4 Pro (12 cores) — the M4 Pro (12 cores) supports 66.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-12900 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i9-12900) vs 1 (M4 Pro (12 cores)). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i9-12900) vs 0 (M4 Pro (12 cores)) — the Core i9-12900 offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z690,B660 (Core i9-12900) and Apple SoC (M4 Pro (12 cores)).

Feature	Core i9-12900	M4 Pro (12 cores)
Socket	LGA1700	none
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	4800	LPDDR5x-8000+67%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2+100%	1
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	0

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-12900) vs Apple Virtualization (M4 Pro (12 cores)). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i9-12900) and M4 Pro 16-core GPU (M4 Pro (12 cores)) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: M4 Pro (12 cores) targets High-end Content Creation. Direct competitor: Core i9-12900 rivals Ryzen 9 5900; M4 Pro (12 cores) rivals Ryzen 9 8945HS.

Feature	Core i9-12900	M4 Pro (12 cores)
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	M4 Pro 16-core GPU
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	Apple Virtualization
Target Use	—	High-end Content Creation