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Intel Core i9-12950HX vs Intel Core i9-13980HX: Comparison
Core i9-12950HX vs Core i9-13980HX: the total cores difference
There is no decisive spec gap here. Total cores splits them by a margin most buyers will never feel, Core i9-12950HX 16 against Core i9-13980HX 24. Core i9-13980HX also leads on l3 cache, 30 MB on the Core i9-12950HX versus 36 MB on the Core i9-13980HX. Release year is not the same on both, 2022 on the Core i9-12950HX versus 2023 on the Core i9-13980HX. Igpu is not the same on both, Intel UHD Graphics for 12th Gen Intel Processors on the Core i9-12950HX versus Intel UHD Graphics for 13th Gen Intel Processors on the Core i9-13980HX.
Which should you buy, Core i9-12950HX or Core i9-13980HX?
Buy the Core i9-12950HX 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 i9-13980HX is the one to take 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. Our rating of the Core i9-12950HX (8.6/10): the Intel Core i9-12950HX 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.
What Core i9-12950HX and Core i9-13980HX have in common
Where they agree, they agree completely, performance cores, tdp, integrated graphics, form factor and market segment included, so the decision does not turn on any of those. They match on 3 further specifications as well.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Core i9-12950HX and Core i9-13980HX differ on efficiency cores?
Yes. Efficiency Cores reads 8 on the Core i9-12950HX versus 16 on the Core i9-13980HX.
Is the SMT Enabled the same on the Core i9-12950HX 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 i9-12950HX
- Laptop
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- Laptop
Codename
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- Raptor Lake
Release Year
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- 2022
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- 2023
TDP
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- 55 W
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- 55 W
iGPU
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- Intel UHD Graphics for 12th Gen Intel Processors
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- Intel UHD Graphics for 13th Gen Intel Processors
Market Segment
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- Laptop
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- Laptop
Microarchitecture
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- Raptor Lake
Socket
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- FCBGA1964
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- BGA 1964 (BGA, soldered)
Process Node
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- 10 nm
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- 7 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- 16
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- 24Best
Performance Cores
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- 8
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- 8
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- 8
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- 16Best
Total Threads
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- 24
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- 32Best
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- 2.3 GHz
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- 2.2 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- 5 GHz
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- 5.6 GHz
L3 Cache
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- 30 MB-17%
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- 36 MBBest
Base Power
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- 55 W
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- 55 W
Max Turbo Power
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- 157 W
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- 157 W
Memory Type
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- DDR5 or DDR4
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- DDR5, DDR4
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-13980HX
- Yes
Which one should you pick?
Choose 12950HX 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 i9-12950HX
8.6 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i9-12950HX 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.
More comparisons in Processors (CPUs)
- Intel Core i9-13980HX vs Intel Core i9-14900HX
- Intel Core i9-12900HX vs Intel Core i9-13980HX
- Intel Core i9-12950HX vs Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10980HK vs Intel Core i9-12950HX
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10885H vs Intel Core i9-12950HX
- Intel Core i9-12950HX vs Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9880H