Core i9-12900 vs Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370

Intel

Core i9-12900

16 Cores24 Thrd65 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2022
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370

12 Cores24 Thrd28 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2025
Similar parts
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Core i9-12900 vs Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 Performance Spectrum

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.

Core i9-12900 vs Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 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 Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370: 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: +13.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +87.5% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 16 MB).

Trade-offs

  • 3.8% HIGHER MSRP
    $519 MSRPvs$500 MSRP
  • 132.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 28W.

Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370

2025

Why buy it

  • Costs $19 less on MSRP ($500 MSRP vs $519 MSRP).
  • Draws 28W instead of 65W, a 37W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-12900 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (32,841 vs 33,695).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 30 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-12900 better than Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370?
Yes. Core i9-12900 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 13.6% 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 13.6% 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. It also has the larger cache pool with 87.5% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 16 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i9-12900 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i9-12900 comes in 3.8% more expensive on MSRP at $519 MSRP versus $500 MSRP, and it still gives you a 13.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 13.6% in the shared gaming data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-12900 vs Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

AMD

Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370

The Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Strix Point-HX PRO (Zen 5/5c) (2025) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 32,841 points. Launch price was $499.

Processing Power

The Core i9-12900 packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Core i9-12900 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-12900 versus 5.1 GHz on the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i9-12900 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 uses Strix Point-HX PRO (Zen 5/5c) (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-12900 scores 33,695 against the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370's 32,841 — a 2.6% lead for the Core i9-12900. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900 vs 16 MB on the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370.

FeatureCore i9-12900Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370
Cores / Threads
16 / 24+33%
12 / 24
Boost Clock
5.1 GHz
5.1 GHz
Base Clock
2.4 GHz+20%
2 GHz
L3 Cache
30 MB (total)+88%
16 MB
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)+25%
1 MB (per core)
Process
Intel 7 nm
4 nm-43%
Architecture
Alder Lake-S (2022)
Strix Point-HX PRO (Zen 5/5c) (2025)
PassMark
33,695+3%
32,841
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-12900 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 uses FP8 (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 Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 — the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 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. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes.

FeatureCore i9-12900Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370
Socket
LGA1700
FP8
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
2
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
20
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-12900) vs AMD-V (Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370). Both include integrated graphics Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i9-12900) and Radeon 890M (Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 targets Mobile Workstation / AI. Direct competitor: Core i9-12900 rivals Ryzen 9 5900.

FeatureCore i9-12900Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel UHD Graphics 770
Radeon 890M
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
AMD-V
Target Use
Mobile Workstation / AI
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-12900 was priced at $519, while the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 came in at $500. On launch pricing ($519 vs $500), Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 was $19 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-12900 delivers 64.9 pts/$ vs 65.7 pts/$ for the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 — making the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 the 1.2% better value option.

FeatureCore i9-12900Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370
MSRP
$519
$500-4%
Performance per Dollar
64.9
65.7+1%
Release Date
2022
2025

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