Core i9-12900HK vs Ryzen 7 8840HS

Intel

Core i9-12900HK

14 Cores20 Thrd45 WWMax: 5 GHz2022
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 8840HS

8 Cores16 Thrd28 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2023
Ryzen family
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Core i9-12900HK vs Ryzen 7 8840HS 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 i9-12900HK vs Ryzen 7 8840HS 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 8840HS: 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

  • +1.4% higher PassMark.
  • +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 8840HS needs a discrete GPU.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Laptop Integrated), unlike Ryzen 7 8840HS.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 8840HS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • 60.7% higher power demand at 45W vs 28W.

Ryzen 7 8840HS

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +3.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 28W instead of 45W, a 17W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (25,156 vs 25,512).
  • 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 8840HS better than Core i9-12900HK?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 7 8840HS is ahead with a 3.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-12900HK pulls ahead with 1.4% better PassMark. Core i9-12900HK also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-12900HK is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 8840HS still makes the most sense overall. Ryzen 7 8840HS comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 7 8840HS makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i9-12900HK vs Ryzen 7 8840HS Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

AMD

Ryzen 7 8840HS

The Ryzen 7 8840HS is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Hawk Point-HS (Zen 4) (2023−2024) 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: 25,156 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

The Core i9-12900HK packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen 7 8840HS 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 8840HS — a 2% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 8840HS (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 8840HS uses Hawk Point-HS (Zen 4) (2023−2024) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-12900HK scores 25,512 against the Ryzen 7 8840HS's 25,156 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i9-12900HK. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900HK vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 8840HS.

FeatureCore i9-12900HKRyzen 7 8840HS
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-HS (Zen 4) (2023−2024)
PassMark
25,512+1%
25,156
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 8840HS uses FP8 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i9-12900HKRyzen 7 8840HS
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
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i9-12900HK) / not specified (Ryzen 7 8840HS). The Core i9-12900HK includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EUs)), while the Ryzen 7 8840HS requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-12900HK targets Enthusiast Gaming Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i9-12900HK rivals Ryzen 9 6900HX.

FeatureCore i9-12900HKRyzen 7 8840HS
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