Core i9-12900K vs Core i9-13900HX

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 i9-12900K vs Core i9-13900HX 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 i9-12900K vs Core i9-13900HX: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-12900K

2021

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900HX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (41,180 vs 42,437).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 36 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $589 MSRP, while Core i9-13900HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌127.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 55W.

Core i9-13900HX

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 30 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 125W, a 70W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Laptop Integrated), unlike Core i9-12900K.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-13900HX better than Core i9-12900K?

Yes. Core i9-13900HX is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 3.1% 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, Core i9-13900HX is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.7% 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 i9-13900HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 3.1% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 32 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 30 MB).

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

Core i9-13900HX is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i9-12900K is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-13900HX comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $589 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i9-12900K is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (69.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i9-13900HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021), 20% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 30 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 32 threads instead of 16/24. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i9-12900K vs Core i9-13900HX Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-12900K

The Core i9-12900K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 November 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 41,180 points. Launch price was $589.

Core i9-13900HX

The Core i9-13900HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture. It features 24 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 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: 42,437 points. Launch price was $668.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-12900K packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Core i9-13900HX offers 24 cores / 32 threads — the Core i9-13900HX has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.2 GHz on the Core i9-12900K versus 5.4 GHz on the Core i9-13900HX — a 3.8% clock advantage for the Core i9-13900HX (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i9-12900K uses the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i9-13900HX uses Raptor Lake-HX (2023) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-12900K scores 41,180 against the Core i9-13900HX's 42,437 — a 3% lead for the Core i9-13900HX. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900K vs 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-13900HX.

Feature	Core i9-12900K	Core i9-13900HX
Cores / Threads	16 / 24	24 / 32+50%
Boost Clock	5.2 GHz	5.4 GHz+4%
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+45%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)	36 MB (total)+20%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+60%
Process	10 nm	Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture	Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)	Raptor Lake-HX (2023)
PassMark	41,180	42,437+3%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	29,493
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,878
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	14,944

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-12900K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-13900HX uses FCBGA1964 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i9-12900K versus DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200 on the Core i9-13900HX — the Core i9-13900HX supports 16.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-13900HX supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel 600 series,Intel 700 series (Core i9-12900K) and HM770,WM790 (Core i9-13900HX).

Feature	Core i9-12900K	Core i9-13900HX
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA1964
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200+17%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	192 GB+50%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i9-12900K) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i9-13900HX). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i9-12900K) and UHD Graphics 770 (Core i9-13900HX) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-13900HX targets Performance Gaming / Mobile Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i9-13900HX rivals Ryzen 9 7945HX.

Feature	Core i9-12900K	Core i9-13900HX
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Performance Gaming / Mobile Workstation