Core i9-12900 vs Xeon D-2799

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 Xeon D-2799 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 Xeon D-2799: 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: +30.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 65W instead of 129W, a 64W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA2579 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Xeon D-2799 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (33,695 vs 33,792).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon D-2799, which brings 20 cores / 40 threads and 32 PCIe lanes.
❌Launch MSRP is still $519 MSRP, while Xeon D-2799 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon D-2799

2022

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 20 cores / 40 threads, plus 32 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅60% more PCIe lanes (32 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-12900 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌98.5% higher power demand at 129W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on FCBGA2579 with DDR4, while Core i9-12900 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-12900 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-12900 better than Xeon D-2799?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon D-2799 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i9-12900 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon D-2799 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 20 cores and 40 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 $519 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 30.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon D-2799 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.3% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (64.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon D-2799 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i9-12900 vs Xeon D-2799 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.

Xeon D-2799

The Xeon D-2799 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 February 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Ice Lake-D (2022−2023) architecture. It features 20 cores and 40 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2579. Thermal design power (TDP): 129 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 33,792 points. Launch price was $1,972.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-12900 packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon D-2799 offers 20 cores / 40 threads — the Xeon D-2799 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-12900 versus 3.4 GHz on the Xeon D-2799 — a 40% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i9-12900 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon D-2799 uses Ice Lake-D (2022−2023) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-12900 scores 33,695 against the Xeon D-2799's 33,792 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon D-2799. Both processors carry 30 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i9-12900	Xeon D-2799
Cores / Threads	16 / 24	20 / 40+25%
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+50%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)	30 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-30%	10 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Ice Lake-D (2022−2023)
PassMark	33,695	33,792
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	20,000
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,959
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,895

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-12900 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon D-2799 uses FCBGA2579 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 4800 on the Core i9-12900 versus DDR4-3200 on the Xeon D-2799 — the Core i9-12900 supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon D-2799 supports up to 1024 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i9-12900) vs 4 (Xeon D-2799). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i9-12900) vs 32 (Xeon D-2799) — the Xeon D-2799 offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z690,B660 (Core i9-12900) and Ice Lake-D (Xeon D-2799).

Feature	Core i9-12900	Xeon D-2799
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA2579
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	4800+50%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	1024 GB+700%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	32+60%

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Xeon D-2799 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-12900) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon D-2799). The Core i9-12900 includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Xeon D-2799 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon D-2799 targets Edge Server / Networking. Direct competitor: Core i9-12900 rivals Ryzen 9 5900; Xeon D-2799 rivals EPYC 7302.

Feature	Core i9-12900	Xeon D-2799
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	—
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Edge Server / Networking