CPU
GPU
Core i9-12900
Xeon Gold 6326
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-12900
Performance Per Dollar Xeon Gold 6326
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i9-12900 | Xeon Gold 6326 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($420) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Ice Lake-SP (2021) / 10 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i9-12900 | Xeon Gold 6326 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($420) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i9-12900 and Xeon Gold 6326
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 Gold 6326
The Xeon Gold 6326 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4189. Thermal design power (TDP): 185 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 33,764 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
The Core i9-12900 packs 16 cores / 24 threads, matching the Xeon Gold 6326's 16 cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-12900 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6326 — a 37.2% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i9-12900 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6326 uses Ice Lake-SP (2021) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-12900 scores 33,695 against the Xeon Gold 6326's 33,764 — a 0.2% lead for the Xeon Gold 6326. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900 vs 24 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6326.
| Feature | Core i9-12900 | Xeon Gold 6326 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 16 / 24 | 16 / 32 |
| Boost Clock | 5.1 GHz+46% | 3.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz | 2.9 GHz+21% |
| L3 Cache | 30 MB (total)+25% | 24 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core)+25% | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | Intel 7 nm-30% | 10 nm |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-S (2022) | Ice Lake-SP (2021) |
| PassMark | 33,695 | 33,764 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 24,500 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,631 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 16,254 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i9-12900 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon Gold 6326 uses LGA4189 (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 Gold 6326 — the Core i9-12900 supports 199.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6326 supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 128 — 187.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i9-12900) vs 8 (Xeon Gold 6326). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i9-12900) vs 64 (Xeon Gold 6326) — the Xeon Gold 6326 offers 44 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z690,B660 (Core i9-12900) and C621A,Ice Lake-SP (Xeon Gold 6326).
| Feature | Core i9-12900 | Xeon Gold 6326 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | LGA4189 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+25% | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 4800+119900% | DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 | 4096 GB+3355443100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 8+300% |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 64+220% |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Xeon Gold 6326 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 Gold 6326). The Core i9-12900 includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Xeon Gold 6326 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon Gold 6326 targets High-core Server. Direct competitor: Core i9-12900 rivals Ryzen 9 5900; Xeon Gold 6326 rivals EPYC 7313.
| Feature | Core i9-12900 | Xeon Gold 6326 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — | High-core Server |
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