Xeon Gold 6142 vs Core i9-12900HK
Xeon Gold 6142
Core i9-12900HK
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 Xeon Gold 6142
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-12900HK
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6142 | Core i9-12900HK |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-H (2022) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6142 | Core i9-12900HK |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Xeon Gold 6142 and Core i9-12900HK
Xeon Gold 6142
The Xeon Gold 6142 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 25 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 22 MB. L2 cache: 16 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 25,490 points. Launch price was $2,946.
Core i9-12900HK
The Core i9-12900HK is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 5 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: 25,512 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The Xeon Gold 6142 packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Core i9-12900HK offers 14 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon Gold 6142 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6142 versus 5 GHz on the Core i9-12900HK — a 29.9% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900HK (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6142 uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i9-12900HK uses Alder Lake-H (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6142 scores 25,490 against the Core i9-12900HK's 25,512 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i9-12900HK. L3 cache: 22 MB on the Xeon Gold 6142 vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900HK.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6142 | Core i9-12900HK |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 16 / 32+14% | 14 / 20 |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz | 5 GHz+35% |
| Base Clock | 2.6 GHz+4% | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 22 MB | 24 MB (total)+9% |
| L2 Cache | 16 MB+1180% | 1.25 MB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | Intel 7 nm-50% |
| Architecture | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) | Alder Lake-H (2022) |
| PassMark | 25,490 | 25,512 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 18,197 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,938 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 13,317 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon Gold 6142 uses the LGA3647 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i9-12900HK uses FCBGA1744 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 2666 on the Xeon Gold 6142 versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i9-12900HK — the Xeon Gold 6142 supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6142 supports up to 768 of RAM compared to 64 GB — 169.2% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 6 (Xeon Gold 6142) vs 2 (Core i9-12900HK). PCIe lanes: 48 (Xeon Gold 6142) vs 28 (Core i9-12900HK) — the Xeon Gold 6142 offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C621 (Xeon Gold 6142) and BGA1744 (Core i9-12900HK).
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6142 | Core i9-12900HK |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA3647 | FCBGA1744 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 5.0+67% |
| Max RAM Speed | 2666+53220% | DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 768 | 64 GB+8738033% |
| RAM Channels | 6+200% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 48+71% | 28 |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i9-12900HK has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Xeon Gold 6142 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 6142) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i9-12900HK). The Core i9-12900HK includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EUs)), while the Xeon Gold 6142 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-12900HK targets Enthusiast Gaming Laptop. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6142 rivals EPYC 7451; Core i9-12900HK rivals Ryzen 9 6900HX.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6142 | Core i9-12900HK |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | None | Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EUs) |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | Yes | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Enthusiast Gaming Laptop |
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