Ryzen 9 9955HX
VS
Core i7-12700K

Ryzen 9 9955HX vs Core i7-12700K

AMD

Ryzen 9 9955HX

16 Cores32 Thrd55 WWMax: 5.4 GHz2025
VS
Intel

Core i7-12700K

12 Cores20 Thrd125 WWMax: 5 GHz2021

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.

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

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-12700K

#113
Core i7-14700F
MSRP: $359|Avg: $330
104%
#114
Ryzen 3 PRO 3200G
MSRP: $89|Avg: $52
104%
#115
Core i9-14900K
MSRP: $589|Avg: $469
104%
#116
Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE
MSRP: $146|Avg: $146
103%
#117
Core i7-13790F
MSRP: $392|Avg: $350
103%
#118
Core i5-14500
MSRP: $239|Avg: $251
103%
#119
Core i5-11600KF
MSRP: $237|Avg: $157
103%
#120
Ryzen 5 5600XT
MSRP: $192|Avg: $180
103%
#121
Core i5-13600
MSRP: $255|Avg: $255
102%
#122
Core i3-13100F
MSRP: $109|Avg: $119
102%
#123
Ryzen 5 5600G
MSRP: $259|Avg: $160
102%
#124
Core Ultra 9 285K
MSRP: $589|Avg: $550
102%
#125
Core i5-13400E
MSRP: $221|Avg: $221
101%
#126
Ryzen 7 8700F
MSRP: $270|Avg: $257
101%
#127
Core i9-14900KF
MSRP: $564|Avg: $480
101%
#128
Core i7-12700K
MSRP: $409|Avg: $285
100%
#129
Core i9-13900KF
MSRP: $599|Avg: $480
100%
#130
Core i7-12700
MSRP: $250|Avg: $250
100%
#131
Core Ultra 5 245T
MSRP: $270|Avg: $270
100%
#132
Core i5-8500
MSRP: $192|Avg: $80
99%
#133
Core i5-9400F
MSRP: $182|Avg: $80
98%
#134
Core i5-11400
MSRP: $182|Avg: $141
98%
#135
Core i5-13600K
MSRP: $329|Avg: $319
98%
#136
Core i5-13500
MSRP: $242|Avg: $264
98%
#137
Ryzen 7 8700G
MSRP: $329|Avg: $269
98%
#138
Core i7-14700
MSRP: $384|Avg: $348
98%
#139
Ryzen 5 2500X
MSRP: $159|Avg: $80
97%
#140
Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE
MSRP: $100|Avg: $60
97%
#141
Core i9-13900K
MSRP: $599|Avg: $500
97%
#142
Core i3-14100
MSRP: $134|Avg: $131
96%
#143
Ryzen 5 3400G
MSRP: $149|Avg: $80
95%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Ryzen 9 9955HX delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i7-12700K in both compute-intensive tasks (47.4% faster) and gaming workloads.
InsightRyzen 9 9955HXCore i7-12700K
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($285)
Longevity
✨ Modern (Fire Range-HX (Zen 5) (2025) / 4 nm)
✨ Modern (Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) / 10 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightRyzen 9 9955HXCore i7-12700K
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($285)

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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen 9 9955HX and Core i7-12700K

AMD

Ryzen 9 9955HX

The Ryzen 9 9955HX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2025-01-01. It is based on the Fire Range-HX (Zen 5) (2025) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FL1. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 55,711 points. Launch price was $650.

Intel

Core i7-12700K

The Core i7-12700K 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 12 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 25 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: 34,347 points. Launch price was $409.

Processing Power

The Ryzen 9 9955HX packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Core i7-12700K offers 12 cores / 20 threads — the Ryzen 9 9955HX has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.4 GHz on the Ryzen 9 9955HX versus 5 GHz on the Core i7-12700K — a 7.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 9955HX (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Ryzen 9 9955HX uses the Fire Range-HX (Zen 5) (2025) architecture (4 nm), while the Core i7-12700K uses Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 9 9955HX scores 55,711 against the Core i7-12700K's 34,347 — a 47.4% lead for the Ryzen 9 9955HX. L3 cache: 64 MB (total) on the Ryzen 9 9955HX vs 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700K.

FeatureRyzen 9 9955HXCore i7-12700K
Cores / Threads
16 / 32+33%
12 / 20
Boost Clock
5.4 GHz+8%
5 GHz
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
3.6 GHz+44%
L3 Cache
64 MB (total)+156%
25 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1 MB (per core)
1.25 MB (per core)+25%
Process
4 nm-60%
10 nm
Architecture
Fire Range-HX (Zen 5) (2025)
Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)
PassMark
55,711+62%
34,347
Cinebench R23 Multi
38,010
Geekbench 6 Single
3,219
Geekbench 6 Multi
19,563
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 9 9955HX uses the FL1 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-12700K uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Ryzen 9 9955HX versus 4800 on the Core i7-12700K — the Core i7-12700K supports 199.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-12700K supports up to 128 of RAM compared to 96 GB 28.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 28 (Ryzen 9 9955HX) vs 20 (Core i7-12700K) — the Ryzen 9 9955HX offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD FL1 (Ryzen 9 9955HX) and Z690,B660 (Core i7-12700K).

FeatureRyzen 9 9955HXCore i7-12700K
Socket
FL1
LGA1700
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0
PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-5600
4800+95900%
Max RAM Capacity
96 GB+78643100%
128
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
28+40%
20
🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Ryzen 9 9955HX supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: true (Ryzen 9 9955HX) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-12700K). Both include integrated graphics Radeon 610M (Ryzen 9 9955HX) and Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i7-12700K) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 9955HX rivals Core Ultra 9 275HX; Core i7-12700K rivals Ryzen 7 5800X.

FeatureRyzen 9 9955HXCore i7-12700K
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Radeon 610M
Intel UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked
Yes
Yes
AVX-512
Yes
No
Virtualization
true
VT-x, VT-d