Core i9-12900HX vs M4 Pro (12 cores)

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 i9-12900HX vs M4 Pro (12 cores) 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 i9-12900HX vs M4 Pro (12 cores): Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-12900HX

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $606 MSRP, while M4 Pro (12 cores) mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1275% higher power demand at 55W vs 4W.

M4 Pro (12 cores)

2024

Why buy it

✅Draws 4W instead of 55W, a 51W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-12900HX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (18,904 vs 23,150).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-12900HX better than M4 Pro (12 cores)?

Yes. Core i9-12900HX is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 14.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 22.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 0.5% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-12900HX is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 14.8% 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 i9-12900HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 22.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads.

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

Core i9-12900HX is the better buy right now. Core i9-12900HX comes in at an unclear MSRP at $606 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (54.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

M4 Pro (12 cores) makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2022). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-12900HX vs M4 Pro (12 cores) Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-12900HX

The Core i9-12900HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 May 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-HX (2022) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 33,018 points. Launch price was $499.

M4 Pro (12 cores)

The M4 Pro (12 cores) is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 30 October 2024 (1 year ago). It features 12 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.592 GHz, with boost up to 4.51 GHz. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 4 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5X. Passmark benchmark score: 32,853 points. Launch price was $499.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-12900HX packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the M4 Pro (12 cores) offers 12 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-12900HX has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-12900HX versus 4.51 GHz on the M4 Pro (12 cores) — a 10.3% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900HX (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.592 GHz). The Core i9-12900HX is built on the Alder Lake-HX (2022) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i9-12900HX scores 33,018 against the M4 Pro (12 cores)'s 32,853 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i9-12900HX. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 23,150 vs 18,904 (20.2% advantage for the Core i9-12900HX). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,426 vs 3,812, a 44.4% lead for the M4 Pro (12 cores) that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 14,620 vs 20,076 (31.5% advantage for the M4 Pro (12 cores)).

Feature	Core i9-12900HX	M4 Pro (12 cores)
Cores / Threads	16 / 24+33%	12 / 12
Boost Clock	5 GHz+11%	4.51 GHz
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	2.592 GHz+13%
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	4 MB+220%
Process	Intel 7 nm	3 nm-57%
Architecture	Alder Lake-HX (2022)	—
PassMark	33,018	32,853
Cinebench R23 Multi	23,150+22%	18,904
Geekbench 6 Single	2,426	3,812+57%
Geekbench 6 Multi	14,620	20,076+37%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-12900HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the M4 Pro (12 cores) uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i9-12900HX versus LPDDR5x-8000 on the M4 Pro (12 cores) — the M4 Pro (12 cores) supports 66.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-12900HX supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i9-12900HX) vs 1 (M4 Pro (12 cores)). PCIe lanes: 48 (Core i9-12900HX) vs 0 (M4 Pro (12 cores)) — the Core i9-12900HX offers 48 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM670,WM690 (Core i9-12900HX) and Apple SoC (M4 Pro (12 cores)).

Feature	Core i9-12900HX	M4 Pro (12 cores)
Socket	FCBGA1964	none
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	LPDDR5x-8000+67%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2+100%	1
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	48	0

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i9-12900HX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i9-12900HX) vs Apple Virtualization (M4 Pro (12 cores)). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 770 (Core i9-12900HX) and M4 Pro 16-core GPU (M4 Pro (12 cores)) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-12900HX targets High-end Mobile Performance, M4 Pro (12 cores) targets High-end Content Creation. Direct competitor: Core i9-12900HX rivals Ryzen 9 6900HX; M4 Pro (12 cores) rivals Ryzen 9 8945HS.

Feature	Core i9-12900HX	M4 Pro (12 cores)
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 770	M4 Pro 16-core GPU
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	Apple Virtualization
Target Use	High-end Mobile Performance	High-end Content Creation