Core i9-12900H vs Xeon E5-2699A v4

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 Xeon E5-2699A v4 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 Xeon E5-2699A v4: 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

✅Better for gaming: +11.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 145W, a 100W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and DDR4.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics 96EU, while Xeon E5-2699A v4 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 55 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2699A v4, which brings 22 cores / 44 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $617 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2699A v4 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-2699A v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+129.2% larger total L3 cache (55 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 22 cores / 44 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-12900H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (26,759 vs 27,079).
❌222.2% higher power demand at 145W vs 45W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2011 with DDR4, while Core i9-12900H moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-12900H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-12900H better than Xeon E5-2699A v4?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2699A v4 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 gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-12900H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 11.2% 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, Core i9-12900H is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, 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 $617 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (43.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i9-12900H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2016), a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011, and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 20 threads instead of 22/44. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-12900H vs Xeon E5-2699A v4 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.

Xeon E5-2699A v4

The Xeon E5-2699A v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 25 October 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-EP (2016) architecture. It features 22 cores and 44 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 55 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 145 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 26,759 points. Launch price was $4,938.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-12900H packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Xeon E5-2699A v4 offers 22 cores / 44 threads — the Xeon E5-2699A v4 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-12900H versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2699A v4 — a 32.6% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900H (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i9-12900H uses the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon E5-2699A v4 uses Broadwell-EP (2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-12900H scores 27,079 against the Xeon E5-2699A v4's 26,759 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i9-12900H. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900H vs 55 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2699A v4.

Feature	Core i9-12900H	Xeon E5-2699A v4
Cores / Threads	14 / 20	22 / 44+57%
Boost Clock	5 GHz+39%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+4%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	55 MB (total)+129%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+400%	256 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-H (2022)	Broadwell-EP (2016)
PassMark	27,079+1%	26,759
Cinebench R23 Multi	16,500	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,400	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	12,900	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-12900H uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E5-2699A v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i9-12900H	Xeon E5-2699A v4
Socket	FCBGA1744	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Core i9-12900H) / not specified (Xeon E5-2699A v4). The Core i9-12900H includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics 96EU), while the Xeon E5-2699A v4 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-12900H targets Mobile.