CPU
GPU
Core i9-12950HX
Xeon E-2488
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 i9-12950HX
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E-2488
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i9-12950HX | Xeon E-2488 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-HX (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i9-12950HX | Xeon E-2488 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 i9-12950HX and Xeon E-2488
Core i9-12950HX
The Core i9-12950HX 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: 31,494 points. Launch price was $499.
Xeon E-2488
The Xeon E-2488 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.6 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 31,888 points. Launch price was $606.
Processing Power
The Core i9-12950HX packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon E-2488 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i9-12950HX has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-12950HX versus 5.6 GHz on the Xeon E-2488 — a 11.3% clock advantage for the Xeon E-2488 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i9-12950HX uses the Alder Lake-HX (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon E-2488 uses Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-12950HX scores 31,494 against the Xeon E-2488's 31,888 — a 1.2% lead for the Xeon E-2488. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 23,113 vs 15,000 (42.6% advantage for the Core i9-12950HX). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,349 vs 2,100, a 11.2% lead for the Core i9-12950HX that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 15,711 vs 12,000 (26.8% advantage for the Core i9-12950HX). L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i9-12950HX vs 24 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2488.
| Feature | Core i9-12950HX | Xeon E-2488 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 16 / 24+100% | 8 / 16 |
| Boost Clock | 5 GHz | 5.6 GHz+12% |
| Base Clock | 2.3 GHz | 3.2 GHz+39% |
| L3 Cache | 30 MB (total)+25% | 24 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core)+60% |
| Process | Intel 7 nm | Intel 7 nm |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-HX (2022) | Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) |
| PassMark | 31,494 | 31,888+1% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 23,113+54% | 15,000 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,349+12% | 2,100 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 15,711+31% | 12,000 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i9-12950HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E-2488 uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM670,WM690 (Core i9-12950HX) and W680 (Xeon E-2488).
| Feature | Core i9-12950HX | Xeon E-2488 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1964 | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800 | DDR5-4800 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 20 |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i9-12950HX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. The Core i9-12950HX includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Xeon E-2488 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-12950HX targets Mobile Workstation Flagship, Xeon E-2488 targets Entry-level Server / Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i9-12950HX rivals Ryzen 9 6980HX; Xeon E-2488 rivals Xeon E-2388G.
| Feature | Core i9-12950HX | Xeon E-2488 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel UHD Graphics 770 | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Mobile Workstation Flagship | Entry-level Server / Workstation |
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