Core i9-9900X vs Core i7-12650H

Core i9-9900X

10 Cores20 Thrd165 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2018

Core i7-12650H

10 Cores16 Thrd45 WWMax: 4.7 GHz2022

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i9-9900X

10 / 20

21,655

0.0%

21,742

+0.4%

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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i9-9900X

#258

Core i5-8600

MSRP: $213|Avg: $130

106%

#259

Core i3-9100TE

MSRP: $122|Avg: $60

106%

#260

Core i5-12500T

MSRP: $302|Avg: $214

106%

#261

Core i9-13900

MSRP: $549|Avg: $599

105%

#262

Core i7-11700

MSRP: $323|Avg: $274

104%

#262

Core i7-8700K

MSRP: $359|Avg: $160

52%

#263

Core i9-13900T

MSRP: $549|Avg: $570

104%

#264

Processor 300T

MSRP: $82|Avg: $82

103%

#265

Athlon 3000G

MSRP: $49|Avg: $60

103%

#266

Athlon 220GE

MSRP: $65|Avg: $60

103%

#267

Ryzen 9 3900X

MSRP: $499|Avg: $441

102%

#268

Core i5-10500

MSRP: $200|Avg: $178

102%

#269

Celeron G6900T

MSRP: $42|Avg: $50

102%

#270

Core i9-10850K

MSRP: $453|Avg: $300

101%

#271

Core i9-13900E

MSRP: $554|Avg: $554

101%

#272

Core i9-9820X

MSRP: $889|Avg: $280

101%

#273

Core i9-9900X

MSRP: $989|Avg: $300

100%

#274

Ryzen 7 1800X

MSRP: $499|Avg: $120

45%

#274

Core i7-9700K

MSRP: $385|Avg: $200

100%

#275

Core i3-10320

MSRP: $154|Avg: $140

99%

#276

Core i5-9600KF

MSRP: $262|Avg: $150

98%

#277

Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE

MSRP: $180|Avg: $180

98%

#278

Core i7-14701TE

MSRP: $392|Avg: $390

98%

#278

Ryzen Threadripper 1900X

MSRP: $549|Avg: $116

42%

#279

Ryzen Threadripper 1920X

MSRP: $799|Avg: $265

40%

#279

Core i9-11900KF

MSRP: $513|Avg: $349

98%

#280

Core i7-7820X

MSRP: $599|Avg: $198

40%

#280

Athlon Silver 3050GE

MSRP: $75|Avg: $65

97%

#281

Core i7-9700E

MSRP: $259|Avg: $180

97%

#282

Core i7-11700K

MSRP: $399|Avg: $350

96%

#283

Ryzen 7 PRO 3700

MSRP: $329|Avg: $330

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-12650H

#144

Core i7-12650H

MSRP: $457|Avg: N/A

100%

#153

Core i7-1370P

MSRP: $438|Avg: $280

96%

#158

Core i9-13900H

MSRP: $617|Avg: N/A

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i7-12650H leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i9-9900X is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.4% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i9-9900X	Core i7-12650H
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($300)	⚠️ Higher cost ($457)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm)	✨ Modern (Alder Lake-H (2022) / Intel 7 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: The Core i9-9900X leads not only in performance but also in value. It is effectively 34% cheaper ($300 vs $457) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i9-9900X	Core i7-12650H
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+52%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($300)	⚠️ Higher cost ($457)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i9-9900X Benchmark Check

Core i7-12650H Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i9-9900X and Core i7-12650H

Core i9-9900X

The Core i9-9900X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 21,655 points. Launch price was $989.

Core i7-12650H

The Core i7-12650H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture. It features 10 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 21,742 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-9900X packs 10 cores / 20 threads, matching the Core i7-12650H's 10 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i9-9900X versus 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-12650H — a 4.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-12650H (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i9-9900X uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-12650H uses Alder Lake-H (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9900X scores 21,655 against the Core i7-12650H's 21,742 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-12650H. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 13,985 vs 13,500 (3.5% advantage for the Core i9-9900X). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,459 vs 1,780, a 19.8% lead for the Core i7-12650H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 9,475 vs 10,920 (14.2% advantage for the Core i7-12650H). L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900X vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i7-12650H.

Feature	Core i9-9900X	Core i7-12650H
Cores / Threads	10 / 20	10 / 16
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	4.7 GHz+4%
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+52%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	19.25 MB (total)	24 MB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)+25%
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Alder Lake-H (2022)
PassMark	21,655	21,742
Cinebench R23 Multi	13,985+4%	13,500
Geekbench 6 Single	1,459	1,780+22%
Geekbench 6 Multi	9,475	10,920+15%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-9900X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-12650H uses FCBGA1744 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i9-9900X versus DDR5-4800 on the Core i7-12650H — the Core i7-12650H supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-9900X supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Core i9-9900X) vs 2 (Core i7-12650H). PCIe lanes: 44 (Core i9-9900X) vs 16 (Core i7-12650H) — the Core i9-9900X offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X299 (Core i9-9900X) and Alder Lake H (Core i7-12650H).

Feature	Core i9-9900X	Core i7-12650H
Socket	LGA2066	FCBGA1744
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR5-4800+25%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	4+100%	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	44+175%	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i9-9900X 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. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i7-12650H includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 64EU), while the Core i9-9900X requires a dedicated GPU.