Core i9-12900H vs Ryzen 5 7600

CPU

GPU

Core i9-12900H

14 Cores20 Thrd45 WWMax: 5 GHz2022

Core family

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Ryzen 5 7600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2023

Ryzen family

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Core i9-12900H vs Ryzen 5 7600 Performance Spectrum

Core i9-12900H

14 / 20

27,079

+0.2%

27,013

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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 Ryzen 5 7600 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 Ryzen 5 7600: 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

✅+13.8% 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 2,800).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 43.9 vs 118.0 PassMark/$ ($617 MSRP vs $229 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 7600.

Ryzen 5 7600

2023

Why buy it

✅+16.7% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Costs $388 less on MSRP ($229 MSRP vs $617 MSRP).
✅Delivers 168.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 118.0 vs 43.9 PassMark/$ ($229 MSRP vs $617 MSRP).
✅40% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (14,500 vs 16,500).
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 7600 better than Core i9-12900H?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 5 7600 is ahead with a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-12900H pulls ahead with 13.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Ryzen 5 7600 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB).

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 13.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads.

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

Ryzen 5 7600 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 7600 comes in $388 cheaper on MSRP at $229 MSRP versus $617 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i9-12900H is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 13.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. It is also 168.8% better value on MSRP (118.0 vs 43.9 PassMark/$), 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 5 7600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-12900H vs Ryzen 5 7600 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Ryzen 5 7600

The Ryzen 5 7600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 14 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) 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: DDR5-5200. Passmark benchmark score: 27,013 points. Launch price was $229.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-12900H packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen 5 7600 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 Ryzen 5 7600 — a 2% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 7600 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i9-12900H uses the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 7600 uses Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-12900H scores 27,079 against the Ryzen 5 7600's 27,013 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i9-12900H. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 16,500 vs 14,500 (12.9% advantage for the Core i9-12900H). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,400 vs 2,800, a 15.4% lead for the Ryzen 5 7600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 12,900 vs 12,000 (7.2% advantage for the Core i9-12900H). L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900H vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 7600.

Feature	Core i9-12900H	Ryzen 5 7600
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 (Zen4) (2022−2023)
PassMark	27,079	27,013
Cinebench R23 Multi	16,500+14%	14,500
Geekbench 6 Single	2,400	2,800+17%
Geekbench 6 Multi	12,900+8%	12,000

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-12900H uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 7600 uses AM5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i9-12900H versus DDR5-5200 on the Ryzen 5 7600 — the Ryzen 5 7600 supports 8.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 7600 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. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i9-12900H) vs 28 (Ryzen 5 7600) — the Ryzen 5 7600 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 600 Series (Mobile) (Core i9-12900H) and A620,B650,X670,B840,B850,X870 (Ryzen 5 7600).

Feature	Core i9-12900H	Ryzen 5 7600
Socket	FCBGA1744	AM5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	DDR5-5200+8%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	28+40%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Ryzen 5 7600 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: Yes (Core i9-12900H) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 7600). Both include integrated graphics — Iris Xe Graphics 96EU (Core i9-12900H) and Radeon Graphics (2-core) (Ryzen 5 7600) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-12900H targets Mobile, Ryzen 5 7600 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 7600 rivals Core i5-13400.

Feature	Core i9-12900H	Ryzen 5 7600
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Iris Xe Graphics 96EU	Radeon Graphics (2-core)
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	Yes	AMD-V
Target Use	Mobile	Gaming

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-12900H was priced at $617, while the Ryzen 5 7600 came in at $229. On launch pricing ($617 vs $229), Ryzen 5 7600 was $388 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-12900H delivers 43.9 pts/$ vs 118.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 7600 — making the Ryzen 5 7600 the 91.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-12900H	Ryzen 5 7600
MSRP	$617	$229-63%
Performance per Dollar	43.9	118.0+169%
Release Date	2022	2023

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