Core i9-12900H vs M2 Max
Core i9-12900H
M2 Max
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 i9-12900H
Performance Per Dollar M2 Max
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i9-12900H | M2 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-H (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 5 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i9-12900H | M2 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 i9-12900H and M2 Max
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.
M2 Max
The M2 Max is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 17 January 2023 (2 years ago). It features 12 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.424 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 48 MB. L2 cache: 36 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 36 MB + 48 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 26,824 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The Core i9-12900H packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the M2 Max offers 12 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-12900H has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-12900H versus 3.7 GHz on the M2 Max — a 29.9% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900H (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.424 GHz). The Core i9-12900H is built on the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i9-12900H scores 27,079 against the M2 Max's 26,824 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i9-12900H. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900H vs 48 MB on the M2 Max.
| Feature | Core i9-12900H | M2 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 14 / 20+17% | 12 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 5 GHz+35% | 3.7 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz+3% | 2.424 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 24 MB (total) | 48 MB+100% |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 36 MB+2780% |
| Process | Intel 7 nm | 5 nm-29% |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-H (2022) | — |
| PassMark | 27,079 | 26,824 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 16,500 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,400 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 12,900 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i9-12900H uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the M2 Max uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. The M2 Max supports up to 96 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i9-12900H) vs 4 (M2 Max). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i9-12900H) vs 0 (M2 Max) — the Core i9-12900H offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core i9-12900H | M2 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1744 | none |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+25% | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800 | LPDDR5-6400 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | 96 GB+50% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 4+100% |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i9-12900H has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: Yes (Core i9-12900H) vs Virtualization (M2 Max). Both include integrated graphics — Iris Xe Graphics 96EU (Core i9-12900H) and Apple M2 Max GPU (M2 Max) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-12900H targets Mobile, M2 Max targets Mobile.
| Feature | Core i9-12900H | M2 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Iris Xe Graphics 96EU | Apple M2 Max GPU |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | Yes | Virtualization |
| Target Use | Mobile | Mobile |
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