Core i9-12900
Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375
Core i9-12900 vs Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 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 375 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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Among Us
Apex Legends
ARC Raiders
Baldur's Gate 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Core i9-12900 vs Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375: 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
2022Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +17.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 16 MB).
- ✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
Trade-offs
- ❌Launch MSRP is still $519 MSRP, while Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
- ❌132.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 28W.
- ❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375.
Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375
2025Why buy it
- ✅Draws 28W instead of 65W, a 37W 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 (33,619 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 375?
Which one is better for gaming?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i9-12900 vs Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 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.
Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375
The Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Strix Point (2024−2025) 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: 33,619 points. Launch price was $499.
Processing Power
The Core i9-12900 packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 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 375 — 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 375 uses Strix Point (2024−2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-12900 scores 33,695 against the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375's 33,619 — a 0.2% 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 375.
| Feature | Core i9-12900 | Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 (2024−2025) |
| PassMark | 33,695 | 33,619 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 22,246 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 2,864 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 15,012 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i9-12900 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 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 375 — the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 supports 66.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i9-12900) vs 16 (Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375) — the Core i9-12900 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z690,B660 (Core i9-12900) and FP8,FP7 (Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375).
| Feature | Core i9-12900 | Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | FP8 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+25% | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 4800 | LPDDR5x-8000+67% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 256 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | Yes | Yes |
| PCIe Lanes | 20+25% | 16 |
Advanced Features
Only the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-12900) vs AMD-V, IOMMU (Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i9-12900) and Radeon 890M (Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 targets Mobile Workstation / High-end Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i9-12900 rivals Ryzen 9 5900; Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 rivals Core i9-14900HX.
| Feature | Core i9-12900 | Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel UHD Graphics 770 | Radeon 890M |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | AMD-V, IOMMU |
| Target Use | — | Mobile Workstation / High-end Gaming |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Core i9-12900 was priced at $519, while the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 came in at $0. On launch pricing ($519 vs $0), Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 was $519 cheaper.
| Feature | Core i9-12900 | Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $519 | $0-100% |
| Performance per Dollar | 64.9 | — |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2025 |
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