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Intel Core i9-12900HX vs Intel Core i9-13900HX: Comparison

Core i9-12900HX vs Core i9-13900HX: the total cores difference

Expect a near tie. The closest thing to a difference is total cores, Core i9-12900HX 16 against Core i9-13900HX 24. Add l3 cache to that, 30 MB on the Core i9-12900HX versus 36 MB on the Core i9-13900HX, and the pattern holds. Release year is not the same on both, 2022 on the Core i9-12900HX versus 2023 on the Core i9-13900HX. They differ on igpu too, Intel UHD Graphics for 12th Gen Intel Processors on the Core i9-12900HX versus Intel UHD Graphics for 13th Gen Intel Processors on the Core i9-13900HX.

Core i9-12900HX vs Core i9-13900HX: which one fits your build

Buy the Core i9-12900HX for high-end gaming laptops and mobile content creation, though it is the wrong buy for thin-and-light laptops and battery-life-focused use. The Core i9-13900HX is the one to take for high-end gaming laptops and mobile content creation, though it is not built for thin-and-light laptops and battery-life-focused use. Our rating of the Core i9-12900HX (8.6/10): the Intel Core i9-12900HX brings desktop-class core counts to a mobile chassis, a strong pick for high-end gaming and creator laptops. Our rating of the Core i9-13900HX (8.6/10): the Intel Core i9-13900HX brings desktop-class core counts to a mobile chassis, a strong pick for high-end gaming and creator laptops.

Where the two are identical

Everything else lines up. Performance cores, tdp, integrated graphics, form factor and market segment read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing. They match on 3 further specifications as well.

Frequently asked questions

Do the Core i9-12900HX and Core i9-13900HX differ on efficiency cores?

Yes. Efficiency Cores reads 8 on the Core i9-12900HX versus 16 on the Core i9-13900HX.

Is the SMT Enabled the same on the Core i9-12900HX and Core i9-13900HX?

It is. Both are listed at Yes, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.

Specs and benchmarks

  • Form Factor

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    Laptop
    Intel Core i9-13900HX
    Laptop
  • Codename

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    Alder Lake
    Intel Core i9-13900HX
    Raptor Lake
  • Release Year

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    2022
    Intel Core i9-13900HX
    2023
  • TDP

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    55 W
    Intel Core i9-13900HX
    55 W
  • iGPU

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    Intel UHD Graphics for 12th Gen Intel Processors
    Intel Core i9-13900HX
    Intel UHD Graphics for 13th Gen Intel Processors
  • Market Segment

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    Laptop
    Intel Core i9-13900HX
    Laptop
  • Microarchitecture

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    Alder Lake
    Intel Core i9-13900HX
    Raptor Lake
  • Socket

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    FCBGA1964
    Intel Core i9-13900HX
    BGA 1964 (BGA, soldered)
  • Process Node

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    10 nm
    Intel Core i9-13900HX
    7 nm
  • Total Cores

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    16
    Intel Core i9-13900HX
    24Best
  • Performance Cores

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    8
    Intel Core i9-13900HX
    8
  • Efficiency Cores

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    8
    Intel Core i9-13900HX
    16Best
  • Total Threads

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    24
    Intel Core i9-13900HX
    32Best
  • SMT Enabled

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    Yes
    Intel Core i9-13900HX
    Yes
  • P-Core Base Clock

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    2.3 GHz
    Intel Core i9-13900HX
    2.2 GHz
  • P-Core Boost Clock

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    5 GHz
    Intel Core i9-13900HX
    5.4 GHz
  • L3 Cache

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    30 MB-17%
    Intel Core i9-13900HX
    36 MBBest
  • Base Power

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    55 W
    Intel Core i9-13900HX
    55 W
  • Max Turbo Power

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    157 W
    Intel Core i9-13900HX
    157 W
  • Memory Type

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    DDR5 or DDR4
    Intel Core i9-13900HX
    DDR5, DDR4
  • Integrated Graphics

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    Yes
    Intel Core i9-13900HX
    Yes

    Which one should you pick?

    Choose 12900HX if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.

    Choose 13900HX if you want the higher L3 cache (36 MB vs 30 MB).

    Verdict

    Intel Core i9-12900HX

    8.6 / 10 Expert Rating

    The Intel Core i9-12900HX brings desktop-class core counts to a mobile chassis, a strong pick for high-end gaming and creator laptops.

    Intel Core i9-13900HX

    8.6 / 10 Expert Rating

    The Intel Core i9-13900HX brings desktop-class core counts to a mobile chassis, a strong pick for high-end gaming and creator laptops.

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