Core i9-12900K vs Ryzen 7 8840HX
Core i9-12900K
Ryzen 7 8840HX
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-12900K
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 7 8840HX
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i9-12900K | Ryzen 7 8840HX |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($322) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) / 10 nm) | ✨ Modern (Dragon Range (2025) / 5 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i9-12900K | Ryzen 7 8840HX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($322) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i9-12900K and Ryzen 7 8840HX
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.
Ryzen 7 8840HX
The Ryzen 7 8840HX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 23 April 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Dragon Range (2025) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: FL1. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 42,275 points. Launch price was $499.
Processing Power
The Core i9-12900K packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Ryzen 7 8840HX offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Core i9-12900K has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.2 GHz on the Core i9-12900K versus 5.1 GHz on the Ryzen 7 8840HX — a 1.9% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900K (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i9-12900K uses the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Ryzen 7 8840HX uses Dragon Range (2025) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-12900K scores 41,180 against the Ryzen 7 8840HX's 42,275 — a 2.6% lead for the Ryzen 7 8840HX. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900K vs 64 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 8840HX.
| Feature | Core i9-12900K | Ryzen 7 8840HX |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 16 / 24+33% | 12 / 24 |
| Boost Clock | 5.2 GHz+2% | 5.1 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz+10% | 2.9 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 30 MB (total) | 64 MB (total)+113% |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core)+25% | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | 10 nm | 5 nm-50% |
| Architecture | Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) | Dragon Range (2025) |
| PassMark | 41,180 | 42,275+3% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i9-12900K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 7 8840HX uses FL1 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i9-12900K versus 5600 on the Ryzen 7 8840HX — the Ryzen 7 8840HX supports 199.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-12900K supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i9-12900K) vs 28 (Ryzen 7 8840HX) — the Ryzen 7 8840HX offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 600 series,Intel 700 series (Core i9-12900K) and FP8,FP7 (Ryzen 7 8840HX).
| Feature | Core i9-12900K | Ryzen 7 8840HX |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | FL1 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800 | 5600+111900% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB+209715100% | 64 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 28+40% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i9-12900K) / VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (Ryzen 7 8840HX). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i9-12900K) and AMD Radeon 780M (Ryzen 7 8840HX) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Ryzen 7 8840HX rivals Core i7-13700H.
| Feature | Core i9-12900K | Ryzen 7 8840HX |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel UHD Graphics 770 | AMD Radeon 780M |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | Yes |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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