Core i9-12900H vs EPYC 4244P

Intel

Core i9-12900H

14 Cores20 Thrd45 WWMax: 5 GHz2022
Core family
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VS
AMD

EPYC 4244P

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2024
EPYC family
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Core i9-12900H vs EPYC 4244P 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 i9-12900H vs EPYC 4244P 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 i9-12900H vs EPYC 4244P: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-12900H

2022

Why buy it

  • +46.7% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
  • Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (2,400 vs 2,602).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 32 MB).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 4244P, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads and 28 PCIe lanes.
  • Launch MSRP is still $617 MSRP, while EPYC 4244P mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

EPYC 4244P

2024

Why buy it

  • +8.4% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
  • +33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB).
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads, plus 28 PCIe lanes vs 20.
  • 40% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (11,244 vs 16,500).
  • 44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-12900H better than EPYC 4244P?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. EPYC 4244P makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i9-12900H 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, Core i9-12900H is the stronger fit. You are getting 46.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i9-12900H is the better buy right now. Core i9-12900H comes in at an unclear MSRP at $617 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 46.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. The compromise is that EPYC 4244P is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (43.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
EPYC 4244P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2022), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB), and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-12900H vs EPYC 4244P Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i9-12900H

The Core i9-12900H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 27,079 points. Launch price was $299.

AMD

EPYC 4244P

The EPYC 4244P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 21 May 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raphael (2023−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 27,164 points. Launch price was $229.

Processing Power

The Core i9-12900H packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the EPYC 4244P offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-12900H has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-12900H versus 5.1 GHz on the EPYC 4244P — a 2% clock advantage for the EPYC 4244P (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i9-12900H uses the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the EPYC 4244P uses Raphael (2023−2025) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-12900H scores 27,079 against the EPYC 4244P's 27,164 — a 0.3% lead for the EPYC 4244P. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 16,500 vs 11,244 (37.9% advantage for the Core i9-12900H). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,400 vs 2,602, a 8.1% lead for the EPYC 4244P that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 12,900 vs 11,244 (13.7% advantage for the Core i9-12900H). L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900H vs 32 MB (total) on the EPYC 4244P.

FeatureCore i9-12900HEPYC 4244P
Cores / Threads
14 / 20+133%
6 / 12
Boost Clock
5 GHz
5.1 GHz+2%
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
3.8 GHz+52%
L3 Cache
24 MB (total)
32 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)+25%
1 MB (per core)
Process
Intel 7 nm
5 nm-29%
Architecture
Alder Lake-H (2022)
Raphael (2023−2025)
PassMark
27,079
27,164
Cinebench R23 Multi
16,500+47%
11,244
Geekbench 6 Single
2,400
2,602+8%
Geekbench 6 Multi
12,900+15%
11,244
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-12900H uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the EPYC 4244P uses AM5 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i9-12900H versus DDR5-5200 on the EPYC 4244P — the EPYC 4244P supports 8.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 4244P supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB 200% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i9-12900H) vs 28 (EPYC 4244P) — the EPYC 4244P offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 600 Series (Mobile) (Core i9-12900H) and B650,X670,X870 (EPYC 4244P).

FeatureCore i9-12900HEPYC 4244P
Socket
FCBGA1744
AM5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800
DDR5-5200+8%
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
192 GB+200%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
28+40%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i9-12900H has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the EPYC 4244P supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: Yes (Core i9-12900H) vs AMD-V, AMD-Vi (EPYC 4244P). Both include integrated graphics Iris Xe Graphics 96EU (Core i9-12900H) and Radeon Graphics (EPYC 4244P) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-12900H targets Mobile, EPYC 4244P targets Entry Server. Direct competitor: EPYC 4244P rivals Xeon E-2436.

FeatureCore i9-12900HEPYC 4244P
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Iris Xe Graphics 96EU
Radeon Graphics
Unlocked
Yes
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
Yes
AMD-V, AMD-Vi
Target Use
Mobile
Entry Server