Core i9-12900HK vs Ryzen Threadripper 2920X

Core i9-12900HK vs Ryzen Threadripper 2920X Performance Spectrum

Core i9-12900HK

14 / 20

25,512

+1.4%

Ryzen Threadripper 2920X

12 / 24

25,148

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 i9-12900HK vs Ryzen Threadripper 2920X 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 Threadripper 2920X: 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

✅Draws 45W instead of 180W, a 135W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of SP3r2 and DDR4.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EUs), while Ryzen Threadripper 2920X needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Laptop Integrated), unlike Ryzen Threadripper 2920X.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper 2920X, which brings 12 cores / 24 threads.

Ryzen Threadripper 2920X

2018

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 12 cores / 24 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (25,148 vs 25,512).
❌Launch MSRP is still $649 MSRP, while Core i9-12900HK mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌300% higher power demand at 180W vs 45W.
❌Older platform position on SP3r2 with DDR4, while Core i9-12900HK moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-12900HK can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-12900HK better than Ryzen Threadripper 2920X?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Ryzen Threadripper 2920X makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i9-12900HK 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 i9-12900HK is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.6% 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 i9-12900HK is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads.

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

Core i9-12900HK is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen Threadripper 2920X is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-12900HK comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $649 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen Threadripper 2920X is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (38.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i9-12900HK makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2018), a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of SP3r2, and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 20 threads instead of 12/24. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-12900HK vs Ryzen Threadripper 2920X 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 Threadripper 2920X

The Ryzen Threadripper 2920X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 3 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the ZEN+ (2018−2019) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: SP3r2. Thermal design power (TDP): 180 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Quad-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 25,148 points. Launch price was $649.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-12900HK packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Core i9-12900HK has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-12900HK versus 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X — a 15.1% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900HK (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i9-12900HK uses the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X uses ZEN+ (2018−2019) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-12900HK scores 25,512 against the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X's 25,148 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i9-12900HK. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900HK vs 32 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X.

Feature	Core i9-12900HK	Ryzen Threadripper 2920X
Cores / Threads	14 / 20+17%	12 / 24
Boost Clock	5 GHz+16%	4.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.5 GHz+40%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	32 MB+33%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+40860%
Process	Intel 7 nm-42%	12 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-H (2022)	ZEN+ (2018−2019)
PassMark	25,512+1%	25,148
Cinebench R23 Multi	18,197	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,938	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	13,317	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-12900HK uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X uses SP3r2 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i9-12900HK	Ryzen Threadripper 2920X
Socket	FCBGA1744	SP3r2
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 Threadripper 2920X). The Core i9-12900HK includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EUs)), while the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X 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 Threadripper 2920X
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	—