Intel Core i9-12900HX

The Intel Core i9-12900HX is a 16-core (24-thread) processor built for the mobile CPU market. It launched in Q2 2022 with a suggested retail price of $606. It is part of Intel's Core i9 lineup, which is based on the Alder Lake-HX microarchitecture. The i9-12900HX is compatible with Intel BGA 1964 motherboards and is fabricated on Intel's 10 nm manufacturing process. It features the UHD Graphics 770 integrated graphics solution.

Memory and Cache

The Core i9-12900HX supports DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Core i9-12900HX has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 80 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 1.25 MB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 30 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Core i9-12900HX features 16 total cores which can process 24 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The 16 cores consist of 8 P-Cores and 8 E-Cores. P-Cores are designed for high-performance tasks and E-Cores are intended for efficiency and lighter tasks. The base clock speed of the CPU is 2.3 GHz, and it can boost up to 5.0 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking for those seeking to push the CPU's performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Core i9-12900HX includes an integrated graphics solution called UHD Graphics 770. This graphics processor is directly integrated into the CPU and is not as powerful as a dedicated graphics card. While integrated graphics can handle basic tasks like web browsing and office applications, it is not suitable for more demanding activities such as gaming or video editing, where a dedicated graphics card offers superior performance.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The Core i9-12900HX has the 46th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 62.10% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 22,972 score and $606 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 37.91. This is the 87th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.