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Intel Core i9-12900HX vs Intel Core i9-13950HX: Comparison

Core i9-12900HX vs Core i9-13950HX total cores compared

These two are close on paper, and total cores is the only measure that separates them at all: Core i9-12900HX 16 against Core i9-13950HX 24. Core i9-13950HX also leads on l3 cache, 30 MB on the Core i9-12900HX versus 36 MB on the Core i9-13950HX. Socket is not the same on both, FCBGA1964 on the Core i9-12900HX versus BGA 1964 on the Core i9-13950HX. There is a split on release year as well, 2022 on the Core i9-12900HX versus 2023 on the Core i9-13950HX. Igpu is not the same on both, 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 i9-13950HX.

Which should you buy, Core i9-12900HX or Core i9-13950HX?

Buy the Core i9-12900HX for high-end gaming laptops and mobile content creation, though it is not the pick for thin-and-light laptops and battery-life-focused use. The Core i9-13950HX suits 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 i9-13950HX (8.6/10): the Intel Core i9-13950HX brings desktop-class core counts to a mobile chassis, a strong pick for high-end gaming and creator laptops.

What Core i9-12900HX and Core i9-13950HX have in common

The common ground is wider than the gap: performance cores, tdp, integrated graphics, form factor and market segment are identical here. They match on 3 further specifications as well.

Frequently asked questions

Do the Core i9-12900HX and Core i9-13950HX differ on efficiency cores?

Yes. Efficiency Cores reads 8 on the Core i9-12900HX versus 16 on the Core i9-13950HX.

Is the SMT Enabled the same on the Core i9-12900HX and Core i9-13950HX?

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 i9-13950HX
    Laptop
  • Codename

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    Alder Lake
    Intel Core i9-13950HX
    Raptor Lake
  • Release Year

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    2022
    Intel Core i9-13950HX
    2023
  • TDP

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    55 W
    Intel Core i9-13950HX
    55 W
  • iGPU

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    Intel UHD Graphics for 12th Gen Intel Processors
    Intel Core i9-13950HX
    Intel UHD Graphics for 13th Gen Intel Processors
  • Market Segment

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    Laptop
    Intel Core i9-13950HX
    Laptop
  • Microarchitecture

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    Alder Lake
    Intel Core i9-13950HX
    Raptor Lake
  • Socket

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    FCBGA1964
    Intel Core i9-13950HX
    BGA 1964 (BGA, soldered)
  • Process Node

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    10 nm
    Intel Core i9-13950HX
    7 nm
  • Total Cores

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    16
    Intel Core i9-13950HX
    24Best
  • Performance Cores

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    8
    Intel Core i9-13950HX
    8
  • Efficiency Cores

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    8
    Intel Core i9-13950HX
    16Best
  • Total Threads

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    24
    Intel Core i9-13950HX
    32Best
  • SMT Enabled

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    Yes
    Intel Core i9-13950HX
    Yes
  • P-Core Base Clock

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    2.3 GHz
    Intel Core i9-13950HX
    2.2 GHz
  • P-Core Boost Clock

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    5 GHz
    Intel Core i9-13950HX
    5.5 GHz
  • L3 Cache

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    30 MB-17%
    Intel Core i9-13950HX
    36 MBBest
  • Base Power

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    55 W
    Intel Core i9-13950HX
    55 W
  • Max Turbo Power

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    157 W
    Intel Core i9-13950HX
    157 W
  • Memory Type

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    DDR5 or DDR4
    Intel Core i9-13950HX
    DDR5, DDR4
  • Integrated Graphics

    Intel Core i9-12900HX
    Yes
    Intel Core i9-13950HX
    Yes

    Which one should you pick?

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

    Choose 13950HX 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 i9-13950HX

    8.6 / 10 Expert Rating

    The Intel Core i9-13950HX brings desktop-class core counts to a mobile chassis, a strong pick for high-end gaming and creator laptops.

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