Core i9-12900HK vs Ryzen 7 250

Core i9-12900HK vs Ryzen 7 250 Performance Spectrum

Core i9-12900HK

14 / 20

25,512

0.0%

25,677

+0.6%

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 i9-12900HK vs Ryzen 7 250 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 i9-12900HK vs Ryzen 7 250: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-12900HK

2022

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EUs), while Ryzen 7 250 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Laptop Integrated), unlike Ryzen 7 250.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 250 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (25,512 vs 25,677).
❌60.7% higher power demand at 45W vs 28W.

Ryzen 7 250

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 28W instead of 45W, a 17W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 24 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-12900HK can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i9-12900HK.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 250 better than Core i9-12900HK?

Yes. Ryzen 7 250 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.6% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 7 250 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.9% 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, Ryzen 7 250 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Ryzen 7 250 still makes the most sense overall. Ryzen 7 250 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Ryzen 7 250 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 14/20. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-12900HK vs Ryzen 7 250 Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-12900HK

The Core i9-12900HK 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: 25,512 points. Launch price was $299.

Ryzen 7 250

The Ryzen 7 250 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 3.3 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): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 25,677 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-12900HK packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen 7 250 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i9-12900HK has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-12900HK versus 5.1 GHz on the Ryzen 7 250 — a 2% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 250 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i9-12900HK uses the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 7 250 uses Hawk Point (2024−2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-12900HK scores 25,512 against the Ryzen 7 250's 25,677 — a 0.6% lead for the Ryzen 7 250. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900HK vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 250.

Feature	Core i9-12900HK	Ryzen 7 250
Cores / Threads	14 / 20+75%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	5 GHz	5.1 GHz+2%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.3 GHz+32%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)+50%	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+25%	1 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	4 nm-43%
Architecture	Alder Lake-H (2022)	Hawk Point (2024−2025)
PassMark	25,512	25,677
Cinebench R23 Multi	18,197	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,938	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	13,317	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-12900HK uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 7 250 uses FP8 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i9-12900HK	Ryzen 7 250
Socket	FCBGA1744	FP8
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	28	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i9-12900HK) / not specified (Ryzen 7 250). The Core i9-12900HK includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EUs)), while the Ryzen 7 250 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-12900HK targets Enthusiast Gaming Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i9-12900HK rivals Ryzen 9 6900HX.

Feature	Core i9-12900HK	Ryzen 7 250
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EUs)	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Enthusiast Gaming Laptop	—