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Intel Core i9-12900HX vs Intel Core i9-13980HX: Comparison
Core i9-12900HX vs Core i9-13980HX 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 i9-13980HX 24. Add l3 cache to that, 30 MB on the Core i9-12900HX versus 36 MB on the Core i9-13980HX, and the pattern holds. Socket is not the same on both, FCBGA1964 on the Core i9-12900HX versus BGA 1964 on the Core i9-13980HX. They differ on release year too, 2022 on the Core i9-12900HX versus 2023 on the Core i9-13980HX. 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 i9-13980HX.
Core i9-12900HX vs Core i9-13980HX: which one fits your build
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 i9-13980HX is the one to take 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. 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 i9-13980HX (8.6/10): the Intel Core i9-13980HX brings desktop-class core counts to a mobile chassis, a strong pick for high-end gaming and creator laptops.
Where the two are identical
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 i9-13980HX differ on efficiency cores?
Yes. Efficiency Cores reads 8 on the Core i9-12900HX versus 16 on the Core i9-13980HX.
Is the SMT Enabled the same on the Core i9-12900HX and Core i9-13980HX?
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 i9-13980HX
- Laptop
Codename
- Intel Core i9-12900HX
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- Raptor Lake
Release Year
- Intel Core i9-12900HX
- 2022
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- 2023
TDP
- Intel Core i9-12900HX
- 55 W
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- 55 W
iGPU
- Intel Core i9-12900HX
- Intel UHD Graphics for 12th Gen Intel Processors
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- Intel UHD Graphics for 13th Gen Intel Processors
Market Segment
- Intel Core i9-12900HX
- Laptop
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- Laptop
Microarchitecture
- Intel Core i9-12900HX
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- Raptor Lake
Socket
- Intel Core i9-12900HX
- FCBGA1964
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- BGA 1964 (BGA, soldered)
Process Node
- Intel Core i9-12900HX
- 10 nm
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- 7 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core i9-12900HX
- 16
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- 24Best
Performance Cores
- Intel Core i9-12900HX
- 8
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- 8
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core i9-12900HX
- 8
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- 16Best
Total Threads
- Intel Core i9-12900HX
- 24
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- 32Best
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core i9-12900HX
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i9-12900HX
- 2.3 GHz
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- 2.2 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i9-12900HX
- 5 GHz
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- 5.6 GHz
L3 Cache
- Intel Core i9-12900HX
- 30 MB-17%
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- 36 MBBest
Base Power
- Intel Core i9-12900HX
- 55 W
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- 55 W
Max Turbo Power
- Intel Core i9-12900HX
- 157 W
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- 157 W
Memory Type
- Intel Core i9-12900HX
- DDR5 or DDR4
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- DDR5, DDR4
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core i9-12900HX
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- Yes
Which one should you pick?
Choose 12900HX if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose 13980HX 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 i9-13980HX
8.6 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i9-13980HX brings desktop-class core counts to a mobile chassis, a strong pick for high-end gaming and creator laptops.