Core i9-12900E vs Ryzen 7 260

Core i9-12900E vs Ryzen 7 260 Performance Spectrum

Core i9-12900E

16 / 24

28,170

0.0%

28,339

+0.6%

Ryzen Embedded V2718

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Ryzen 7 8840HS

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Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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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 i9-12900E vs Ryzen 7 260 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 i9-12900E vs Ryzen 7 260: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-12900E

2022

Why buy it

✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 16 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (28,170 vs 28,339).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 56.3 vs 142.4 PassMark/$ ($500 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Ryzen 7 260

2025

Why buy it

✅Costs $301 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $500 MSRP).
✅Delivers 152.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 142.4 vs 56.3 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $500 MSRP).
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 30 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 260 better than Core i9-12900E?

Yes. Ryzen 7 260 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.6% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 7 260 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.2% 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, Ryzen 7 260 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Ryzen 7 260 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 260 comes in $301 cheaper on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $500 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 152.8% better value on MSRP (142.4 vs 56.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Ryzen 7 260 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 16/24. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-12900E vs Ryzen 7 260 Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-12900E

The Core i9-12900E 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 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 28,170 points. Launch price was $299.

Ryzen 7 260

The Ryzen 7 260 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Hawk Point (2024−2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 28,339 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-12900E packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Ryzen 7 260 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i9-12900E has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-12900E versus 5.1 GHz on the Ryzen 7 260 — a 2% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 260 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i9-12900E uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (10 nm), while the Ryzen 7 260 uses Hawk Point (2024−2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-12900E scores 28,170 against the Ryzen 7 260's 28,339 — a 0.6% lead for the Ryzen 7 260. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900E vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 260.

Feature	Core i9-12900E	Ryzen 7 260
Cores / Threads	16 / 24+100%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	5 GHz	5.1 GHz+2%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	3.8 GHz+65%
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)+88%	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+25%	1 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm	4 nm-60%
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Hawk Point (2024−2025)
PassMark	28,170	28,339
Cinebench R23 Multi	13,420	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	13,107	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-12900E uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 7 260 uses FP8 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i9-12900E versus DDR5-5600 on the Ryzen 7 260 — the Ryzen 7 260 supports 16.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-12900E 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.

Feature	Core i9-12900E	Ryzen 7 260
Socket	LGA1700	FP8
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	DDR5-5600+17%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-12900E) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 7 260). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 770 (Core i9-12900E) and Radeon 780M (Ryzen 7 260) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 7 260 targets Mobile.

Feature	Core i9-12900E	Ryzen 7 260
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 770	Radeon 780M
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Mobile

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-12900E was priced at $500, while the Ryzen 7 260 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($500 vs $199), Ryzen 7 260 was $301 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-12900E delivers 56.3 pts/$ vs 142.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 260 — making the Ryzen 7 260 the 86.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-12900E	Ryzen 7 260
MSRP	$500	$199-60%
Performance per Dollar	56.3	142.4+153%
Release Date	2022	2025

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