Core i9-12900KS vs Ryzen 7 8840HX

Core i9-12900KS vs Ryzen 7 8840HX Performance Spectrum

Core i9-12900KS

16 / 24

43,528

+3.0%

42,275

0.0%

Ryzen 7 7735H

Ryzen 7 5800X3D

Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370

Ryzen 7 9700X

Ryzen 9 7945HX3D

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

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 i9-12900KS vs Ryzen 7 8840HX 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 i9-12900KS vs Ryzen 7 8840HX: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-12900KS

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $739 MSRP, while Ryzen 7 8840HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌172.7% higher power demand at 150W vs 55W.

Ryzen 7 8840HX

2025

Why buy it

✅+113.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 30 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 150W, a 95W reduction.
✅40% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-12900KS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (42,275 vs 43,528).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-12900KS better than Ryzen 7 8840HX?

Yes. Core i9-12900KS is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-12900KS is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.3% 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 i9-12900KS is the stronger fit. You are getting 3% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads.

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

Core i9-12900KS is the better buy right now. Core i9-12900KS comes in at an unclear MSRP at $739 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (58.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Ryzen 7 8840HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022) and 113.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 30 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-12900KS vs Ryzen 7 8840HX Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-12900KS

The Core i9-12900KS is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.3 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 43,528 points. Launch price was $499.

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.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-12900KS packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Ryzen 7 8840HX offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Core i9-12900KS has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.3 GHz on the Core i9-12900KS versus 5.1 GHz on the Ryzen 7 8840HX — a 3.8% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900KS (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i9-12900KS uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 7 8840HX uses Dragon Range (2025) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-12900KS scores 43,528 against the Ryzen 7 8840HX's 42,275 — a 2.9% lead for the Core i9-12900KS. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900KS vs 64 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 8840HX.

Feature	Core i9-12900KS	Ryzen 7 8840HX
Cores / Threads	16 / 24+33%	12 / 24
Boost Clock	5.3 GHz+4%	5.1 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+17%	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	Intel 7 nm	5 nm-29%
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Dragon Range (2025)
PassMark	43,528+3%	42,275
Cinebench R23 Multi	27,796	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,082	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-12900KS 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 i9-12900KS versus 5600 on the Ryzen 7 8840HX — the Ryzen 7 8840HX supports 16.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-12900KS supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i9-12900KS) vs 28 (Ryzen 7 8840HX) — the Ryzen 7 8840HX offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: LGA1700 (Core i9-12900KS) and FP8,FP7 (Ryzen 7 8840HX).

Feature	Core i9-12900KS	Ryzen 7 8840HX
Socket	LGA1700	FL1
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	5600+17%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	28+40%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i9-12900KS has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-12900KS) vs VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (Ryzen 7 8840HX). Both include integrated graphics — UHD 770 (Core i9-12900KS) 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.