Core i9-12900E vs Ryzen 7 260
Core i9-12900E
Ryzen 7 260
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 i9-12900E
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 7 260
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i9-12900E | Ryzen 7 260 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($500) | ✅ More affordable ($70) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / 10 nm) | ✨ Modern (Hawk Point (2024−2025) / 4 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i9-12900E | Ryzen 7 260 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+619%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($500) | ✅ More affordable ($70) |
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 i9-12900E and Ryzen 7 260
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. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. The Core i9-12900E supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 66.7% 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 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB+100% | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| 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
The Core i9-12900E launched at $500 MSRP, while the Ryzen 7 260 debuted at $199. At current prices ($500 vs $70), the Ryzen 7 260 is $430 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-12900E delivers 56.3 pts/$ vs 404.8 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 260 — making the Ryzen 7 260 the 151.1% better value option.
| Feature | Core i9-12900E | Ryzen 7 260 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $500 | $199-60% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $500 | $70-86% |
| Performance per Dollar | 56.3 | 404.8+619% |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2025 |
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