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Intel Core i9 12900H Review | 78 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£550
  • Avg. price in US: ~$620
  • PassMark benchmark result: 26823
  • N. of physical cores: 14
  • CPU boost clock speed: 5.0 GHz

Intel Core i9 12900H review. Compare 78 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among processors and if it is worth buying.

6.9

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the processor's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best processors on the market.

Score components:

90.0%

6.9

Technical Score

10.0%

?

User score

Good
6.9

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the processor's technical performance, covering key areas such as processing performance, core configuration, efficiency, platform support, integrated features, and thermal behavior.

When it matters: When you want to compare processors based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

60.0%

6.4

Performance

18.0%

7.9

Cache & Architecture

10.0%

7.6

Memory & PCIe

7.0%

6.3

Power & Thermal

4.0%

8.0

Platform

1.0%

8.9

Integrated Graphics

Good
?

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the processor.

When it matters: When you want to know how a processor performs in real workloads and how reliable it is for gaming, productivity, and efficiency according to user feedback.

Score components:

70.0%

?

User reviews

30.0%

?

Popularity

  • 6.6
    Gaming

    Score components:

    30.0%

    6.9

    PassMark single-core benchmark score

    25.0%

    7.2

    Geekbench 6 single-core benchmark score

    20.0%

    7.6

    CPU boost clock speed

    17.0%

    4.4

    L3 cache

    8.0%

    5.9

    N. of physical cores

  • 6.0
    Video editing

    Score components:

    45.0%

    6.3

    Geekbench 6 multi-core benchmark score

    20.0%

    5.9

    N. of physical cores

    20.0%

    6.4

    CPU threads

    15.0%

    4.4

    L3 cache

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Best prices in UK

    N/A~ £550

Best rankings

?

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The Intel Core i9-12900H is a high-performance 12th Gen 'Alder Lake' laptop processor featuring a hybrid architecture with 14 cores (6 Performance-cores and 8 Efficient-cores) and 20 threads. It boasts a maximum turbo frequency of 5.00 GHz, a 24 MB Intel Smart Cache, and a base power of 45W that can scale up to 115W under maximum turbo loads. Its primary pros include exceptional single-core and multi-threaded performance for gaming and demanding content creation, alongside advanced connectivity support for DDR5-4800 RAM, PCIe 4.0, and Thunderbolt 4. However, notable cons include high power consumption and significant heat generation, which can lead to thermal throttling and reduced battery life in thinner laptop designs.

Technical Specifications of processor Intel Core i9 12900H

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the processor's technical performance, covering key areas such as processing performance, core configuration, efficiency, platform support, integrated features, and thermal behavior.

When it matters: When you want to compare processors based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

60.0%

?

Performance

18.0%

?

Cache & Architecture

10.0%

?

Memory & PCIe

7.0%

?

Power & Thermal

4.0%

?

Platform

1.0%

?

Integrated Graphics

6.9
Intel Core i9 12900H has a technical score of 6.86 points, which is higher than that of 82.5% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the processor.

When it matters: When you want to know how a processor performs in real workloads and how reliable it is for gaming, productivity, and efficiency according to user feedback.

Score components:

70.0%

0.0

User reviews

30.0%

1.0

Popularity

?
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the processor.
When it matters: When you prefer to choose a processor reviewed and selected by many other buyers.
1.0
Intel Core i9 12900H has a popularity of 1 points, which is higher than 0% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the processor's overall rating with its cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for a processor with a good balance between performance, efficiency, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

6.9

Overall score

40.0%

7.6

Price

7.1
Intel Core i9 12900H has a quality-to-price ratio of 7.1 points, which is higher than 74.3% of products in this category.
Brand name
What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.
When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel
Processor type
What it is: The kind of system the processor is built for, such as desktop PCs, laptops, workstations, or servers.
When it matters: When you want a processor meant for the kind of machine you are actually building or buying, rather than a chip aimed at a different class of system.

Importance: HIGH

mobile
Intel Core i9 12900H belongs to the mobile processor class, which is more advanced than that of 7.3% of processors and equal to that of 48.6% of processors.
CPU socket
What it is: The physical socket the processor fits into on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you need to make sure the CPU can actually be installed on a specific motherboard.

Importance: HIGH

FCBGA1744
Intel Core i9 12900H uses the FCBGA1744 CPU socket, which is older than that of 71% of processors and equal to that of 5.1% of processors.
Chipset
What it is: The motherboard chipset families officially meant to work with the processor.
When it matters: When you are checking whether a CPU will work with the motherboard features and platform you plan to use.

Importance: HIGH

HM670, WM690
Intel Core i9 12900H supports HM670, WM690 chipsets, which is narrower compatibility than 63.4% of processors and equal to that of 0.5% of processors.
CPU architecture
What it is: The processor family or design generation behind the chip, such as Zen 4 or Raptor Lake.
When it matters: When you are comparing CPUs across generations and want a clearer sense of their design age, feature level, and expected performance class.

Importance: HIGH

x86-64
Intel Core i9 12900H uses the x86-64 architecture, which is more advanced than that of 1.7% of processors and equal to that of 98.3% of processors.
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N. of physical cores
What it is: The number of physical CPU cores on the processor.
When it matters: When you run workloads that benefit from more real cores.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 8+

14
Intel Core i9 12900H has 14 CPU cores, which is more than 87.1% of processors and equal to 4.3% of processors.
CPU threads
What it is: The total number of processing threads the CPU can handle at once.
When it matters: When you run heavily threaded workloads or multitask a lot.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 16+

20
Intel Core i9 12900H offers 20 CPU threads, which is more than 85.4% of processors and equal to 4.5% of processors.
Threads per core
What it is: The number of threads each physical core can handle at once.
When it matters: When you want to understand how much thread-level parallelism each core can provide in multitasking or heavily threaded work.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 2

?
CPU boost clock speed
What it is: The highest clock speed the processor can reach under boost conditions.
When it matters: When you care about peak speed in short bursts.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >4.7 GHz

5.0 GHz
Intel Core i9 12900H reaches a boost clock of 5.0 GHz which is higher than that of 80.3% of processors and equal to that of 5.7% of processors.
CPU base clock speed
What it is: The processor's normal all-core starting frequency before boost behavior raises clocks temporarily.
When it matters: When you care about steadier performance in longer workloads rather than short burst speed alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

6 x 2.5 GHz & 8 x 1.8 GHz
Intel Core i9 12900H has a base clock of 6x2.5 GHz & 8x1.8 GHz which is equal to that of 100% of processors.
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Semiconductor size
What it is: The manufacturing process node used to produce the processor, usually expressed in nanometers.
When it matters: When efficiency, heat, and the relative modernity of the chip-making process matter to your comparison.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <10 nm

10 nm
Intel Core i9 12900H uses a 10 nm process node, which is more advanced than that of 52.3% of processors and equal to that of 19.1% of processors.
Foundry
What it is: The semiconductor manufacturer that physically fabricates the processor chip.
When it matters: When process source, manufacturing generation, or foundry differences matter to your comparison more than day-to-day performance alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel 7
Intel Core i9 12900H is built on the Intel 7 foundry process, which is more advanced than that of 66.2% of processors and equal to that of 14.9% of processors.
L3 cache
What it is: The total amount of L3 cache available on the processor.
When it matters: When you want better performance in cache-sensitive workloads and games.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=16 MB

24 MB
Intel Core i9 12900H has an L3 cache of 24 MB which is larger than that of 81.5% of processors and equal to that of 5.8% of processors.
L2 cache
What it is: The total amount of L2 cache available across the processor.
When it matters: When you want to compare CPU design efficiency and how much fast intermediate cache the cores have available.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=6 MB

11.5 MB
Intel Core i9 12900H has an L2 cache of 11.5 MB which is larger than that of 82.5% of processors and equal to that of 2.2% of processors.
L1 cache
What it is: The total amount of L1 cache built into the processor, which sits closest to the cores.
When it matters: When you are comparing low-level CPU design details rather than the broader performance picture buyers usually notice first.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=512 KB

1,248 KB
Intel Core i9 12900H has an L1 cache of 1248 KB which is larger than that of 89.9% of processors and equal to that of 2.2% of processors.
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DDR memory version
What it is: The RAM generation the processor is designed to support, such as DDR4 or DDR5.
When it matters: When you need the CPU to match the kind of memory platform you want to buy or reuse.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: DDR5

DDR4/DDR5
Intel Core i9 12900H supports DDR DDR4/DDR5, which is newer than that of 79.1% of processors and equal to that of 9.7% of processors.
Maximum memory speed
What it is: The highest official memory speed supported by the processor.
When it matters: When you choose RAM and want to know the supported speed ceiling.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=4800 MHz

5,200 MHz
Intel Core i9 12900H supports memory speeds up to 5200 MHz, which is higher than that of 72.1% of processors and equal to 7% of processors.
Max memory speed (JEDEC)
What it is: The highest official RAM speed the processor supports under standard JEDEC settings, before any memory overclocking profiles are applied.
When it matters: When officially supported stock RAM speed matters more than XMP, EXPO, or manual memory tuning.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5600 MHz

LPDDR5-5200 MHz
Intel Core i9 12900H supports JEDEC memory speeds up to LPDDR5-5200 MHz, which is higher than that of 72.2% of processors and equal to 1.8% of processors.
Max memory speed (XMP / EXPO)
What it is: The highest memory speed supported through XMP or EXPO profiles.
When it matters: When you want faster RAM through memory profiles.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5200 MHz

N/A
Maximum memory capacity
What it is: The largest total amount of memory officially supported by the processor.
When it matters: When you plan a system with very large RAM capacity.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=128 GB

64 GB
Intel Core i9 12900H supports up to 64 GB of memory, which is more than 28.4% of processors and equal to 27.6% of processors.
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Integrated graphics
What it is: Includes built-in graphics, so the system can output video without a separate graphics card.
When it matters: When you want the PC to work without a dedicated GPU, or you are building an office, media, compact, or troubleshooting-friendly system.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Intel Core i9 12900H includes integrated graphics. 87.6% of processors include integrated graphics.
Integrated GPU model
What it is: The model name of the integrated graphics processor, if present.
When it matters: When you plan to use the CPU's built-in graphics.

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel Iris Xe Graphics 96EU
Intel Core i9 12900H uses the Intel Iris Xe Graphics 96EU integrated GPU, which is more advanced than that in 81.1% of processors and equal to that in 2.9% of processors.
Integrated GPU execution units
What it is: The number of execution units available in the integrated graphics part of the processor.
When it matters: When you plan to rely on built-in graphics and want a better sense of its light gaming, display, or media capability.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=24

96
Intel Core i9 12900H has 96 GPU execution units, which is more than 95.1% of processors and equal to 4% of processors.
Integrated GPU base frequency
What it is: The base operating frequency of the integrated GPU.
When it matters: When integrated graphics performance matters to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=350 MHz

400 MHz
Intel Core i9 12900H has an integrated GPU clock of 400 MHz which is higher than that of 73.3% of processors and equal to that of 8% of processors.
Integrated media encoders/decoders
What it is: The hardware media formats the processor can encode or decode directly.
When it matters: When you stream, edit video, or rely on hardware media acceleration.

Importance: LOW

H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode/encode), AV1 (HW decode)
Intel Core i9 12900H supports H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode/encode), AV1 (HW decode) media codecs, which is broader support than 85% of processors and equal to 5.6% of processors.
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TDP (Thermal design power)
What it is: The rated thermal design power, which gives a general idea of cooling and power needs.
When it matters: When you choose a cooler or build in a tighter case.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <30 W

45 W
Intel Core i9 12900H has a TDP of 45 W which is lower than that of 39.9% of processors and equal to that of 11.4% of processors.
Base power (PL1)
What it is: The sustained power target used for longer CPU loads.
When it matters: When you choose cooling and power delivery for sustained workloads.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <30 W

45 W
Intel Core i9 12900H has a base power of 45 W which is lower than that of 39.7% of processors and equal to that of 11.6% of processors.
Boost power (PL2)
What it is: The short-term boost power limit the processor may draw under heavier turbo loads.
When it matters: When you size cooling and power delivery for peak turbo behavior.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <50 W

115 W
Intel Core i9 12900H has a boost power of 115 W which is higher than that of 72.4% of processors and equal to that of 5.7% of processors.
Tau (power duration limit)
What it is: The time limit the CPU can stay at higher boost power before dropping toward sustained power.
When it matters: When you want to understand turbo behavior under longer loads.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=28 s

?
Configurable TDP
What it is: Allows the processor to run in alternate power modes instead of being fixed to one default TDP target.
When it matters: When you want more control over heat, noise, and power draw in compact systems, quieter builds, or thermally limited machines.

Importance: LOW

yes
Intel Core i9 12900H supports configurable TDP. 52.9% of processors support configurable TDP.
cTDP: 35 W
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Intel Core i9 12900H vs the average processor

  • 2.88x higher multi-core score
    Intel Core i9 12900H has a higher Geekbench 6 multi-core score than the average processor (13,797 vs 4,793). The average processor scores 4,793 in Geekbench 6 multi-core.
    What it is: A Geekbench 6 score that reflects multi-core CPU performance in mixed modern workloads.
    When it matters: When you want a quick picture of multi-core speed in everyday mixed workloads, multitasking, and broadly optimized software.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >8500

    Intel Core i9 12900H has a higher Geekbench 6 multi-core score than the average processor (13,797 vs 4,793). The average processor scores 4,793 in Geekbench 6 multi-core.13,797 vs 4,793
  • 2.29x better multi-core performance
    Intel Core i9 12900H has a higher multi-core performance than the average processor (6,371 vs 2,783). The average processor scores 2,783 in Cinebench R20 multi-core.
    What it is: A Cinebench R20 score that reflects how well the processor handles long, heavy rendering workloads across many cores.
    When it matters: When you care about sustained multi-core performance in rendering, compiling, heavy creation work, or productivity workloads that use many threads.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >4700

    Intel Core i9 12900H has a higher multi-core performance than the average processor (6,371 vs 2,783). The average processor scores 2,783 in Cinebench R20 multi-core.6,371 vs 2,783
  • 8 more CPU cores
    Intel Core i9 12900H has more CPU cores than the average processor (14 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
    What it is: The number of physical CPU cores on the processor.
    When it matters: When you run workloads that benefit from more real cores.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: 8+

    Intel Core i9 12900H has more CPU cores than the average processor (14 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.14 vs 6
  • 67.5% higher single-core score
    Intel Core i9 12900H has a higher Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (2,464 vs 1,471). The average processor scores 1,471 in Geekbench 6 single-core.
    What it is: A Geekbench 6 score that reflects single-core CPU performance in mixed modern workloads.
    When it matters: When you care about snappy everyday performance in lighter apps, browsing, office work, or tasks that do not scale well across many cores.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >2000

    Intel Core i9 12900H has a higher Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (2,464 vs 1,471). The average processor scores 1,471 in Geekbench 6 single-core.2,464 vs 1,471
  • 47.8% better single-core performance
    Intel Core i9 12900H has a higher PassMark single-core score than the average processor (3,670 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.
    What it is: A benchmark score that reflects single-core CPU performance.
    When it matters: When you care about responsiveness in lighter or older software.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >3200

    Intel Core i9 12900H has a higher PassMark single-core score than the average processor (3,670 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.3,670 vs 2,483
  • 12 more CPU threads
    Intel Core i9 12900H has more CPU threads than the average processor (20 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.
    What it is: The total number of processing threads the CPU can handle at once.
    When it matters: When you run heavily threaded workloads or multitask a lot.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: 16+

    Intel Core i9 12900H has more CPU threads than the average processor (20 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.20 vs 8
  • 12 more PCIe lanes
    Intel Core i9 12900H has more PCIe lanes than the average processor (28 vs 16). The average processor offers 16 PCIe lanes.
    What it is: The number of PCIe lanes provided directly by the processor.
    When it matters: When you connect fast GPUs, SSDs, or expansion cards.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >=20

    Intel Core i9 12900H has more PCIe lanes than the average processor (28 vs 16). The average processor offers 16 PCIe lanes.28 vs 16
  • 4.6x larger L2 cache
    Intel Core i9 12900H has a higher L2 cache than the average processor (11.5 MB vs 2.5 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 2.5 MB.
    What it is: The total amount of L2 cache available across the processor.
    When it matters: When you want to compare CPU design efficiency and how much fast intermediate cache the cores have available.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=6 MB

    Intel Core i9 12900H has a higher L2 cache than the average processor (11.5 MB vs 2.5 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 2.5 MB.11.5 MB vs 2.5 MB
  • Supports HMP
    Intel Core i9 12900H supports HMP, the average processor does not.
  • 2.88x higher multi-core score
    Intel Core i9 12900H has a higher Geekbench 6 multi-core score than the average processor (13,797 vs 4,793). The average processor scores 4,793 in Geekbench 6 multi-core.
  • 2.29x better multi-core performance
    Intel Core i9 12900H has a higher multi-core performance than the average processor (6,371 vs 2,783). The average processor scores 2,783 in Cinebench R20 multi-core.
  • 8 more CPU cores
    Intel Core i9 12900H has more CPU cores than the average processor (14 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
  • 67.5% higher single-core score
    Intel Core i9 12900H has a higher Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (2,464 vs 1,471). The average processor scores 1,471 in Geekbench 6 single-core.
  • 47.8% better single-core performance
    Intel Core i9 12900H has a higher PassMark single-core score than the average processor (3,670 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.
  • 12 more CPU threads
    Intel Core i9 12900H has more CPU threads than the average processor (20 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.
  • 2.55x higher PassMark score
    Intel Core i9 12900H has a higher PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (26,823 vs 10,532.5). The average processor scores 10,532.5 in PassMark benchmark.
  • 51.7% higher Cinebench R20 single-core score
    Intel Core i9 12900H has a higher Cinebench R20 single-core score than the average processor (734 vs 484). The average processor scores 484 in Cinebench R20 single-core.
  • 16.3% higher boost clock
    Intel Core i9 12900H has a higher boost clock speed than the average processor (5 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.
  • 2 wider front-end design
    Intel Core i9 12900H has a higher front-end width than the average processor (6 vs 4). The average processor uses front-end width of 4.
  • 4.6x larger L2 cache
    Intel Core i9 12900H has a higher L2 cache than the average processor (11.5 MB vs 2.5 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 2.5 MB.
  • 2.5x more L2 per core
    Intel Core i9 12900H has more L2 cache per core than the average processor (1.3 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.
  • 3x larger L3 cache
    Intel Core i9 12900H has a higher L3 cache than the average processor (24 MB vs 8 MB). The average processor has L3 cache of 8 MB.
  • Uses big.LITTLE design
    Intel Core i9 12900H uses a big.LITTLE design, the average processor does not.
  • 3.25x larger L1 cache
    Intel Core i9 12900H has a higher L1 cache than the average processor (1,248 KB vs 384 KB). The average processor has L1 cache of 384 KB.
  • More advanced microarchitecture
    Intel Core i9 12900H uses a more advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Alder Lake vs Kaby Lake).
  • More advanced foundry
    Intel Core i9 12900H uses a more advanced foundry process than the average processor (Intel 7 vs Intel 14 nm).
  • 16.7% smaller process node
    Intel Core i9 12900H has a lower process node than the average processor (10 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.
  • 12 more PCIe lanes
    Intel Core i9 12900H has more PCIe lanes than the average processor (28 vs 16). The average processor offers 16 PCIe lanes.
  • Newer PCIe version
    Intel Core i9 12900H supports a newer PCIe version than the average processor (4 vs 3.0).
  • Newer DDR support
    Intel Core i9 12900H supports a newer DDR generation than the average processor (DDR4/DDR5 vs DDR4).
  • 77.3% higher memory speed
    Intel Core i9 12900H has a higher maximum memory speed than the average processor (5,200 MHz vs 2,933 MHz). The average processor supports memory speed of 2,933 MHz.
  • 4x more GPU execution units
    Intel Core i9 12900H has more GPU execution units than the average processor (96 vs 24). The average processor has 24 GPU execution units.
  • Better integrated GPU
    Intel Core i9 12900H uses a better integrated GPU than the average processor (Intel Iris Xe Graphics 96EU vs Intel UHD Graphics 630).
  • 1 more supported displays
    Intel Core i9 12900H has more supported displays than the average processor (4 vs 3). The average processor supports 3 displays.

Total
Platform
Performance
Cache & Architecture
Memory & PCIe
Integrated Graphics
  • Narrower instruction support
    Intel Core i9 12900H supports a narrower instruction set than the average processor (MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, FMA3, AES, SHA vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA).
  • Older CPU socket
    Intel Core i9 12900H uses an older CPU socket than the average processor (FCBGA1,744 vs FP2).
  • 70.8% slower classroom rendering
    Intel Core i9 12900H has a higher Blender Classroom render time than the average processor (231.2 vs 791.745). The average processor needs 791.745 for the Blender Classroom test.
  • 21.9% larger die size
    Intel Core i9 12900H has a higher die size than the average processor (217 mm² vs 178 mm²). The average processor has a die size of 178 mm².
  • Limited PCIe bifurcation
    Intel Core i9 12900H supports less flexible PCIe bifurcation than the average processor (x8/x4/x4 vs x16, x8/x8).
  • 79.7% higher boost power
    Intel Core i9 12900H has a higher boost power draw than the average processor (115 W vs 64 W). The average processor has a boost power draw of 64 W.
  • 70.8% slower classroom rendering
    Intel Core i9 12900H has a higher Blender Classroom render time than the average processor (231.2 vs 791.745). The average processor needs 791.745 for the Blender Classroom test.
    What it is: A Blender render result based on the Classroom scene, used to show how quickly the processor can complete a demanding rendering workload.
    When it matters: When rendering speed matters for 3D work, content creation, or other workloads that behave like long multi-core renders.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >1500

    Intel Core i9 12900H has a higher Blender Classroom render time than the average processor (231.2 vs 791.745). The average processor needs 791.745 for the Blender Classroom test.231.17 vs 791.745
  • 79.7% higher boost power
    Intel Core i9 12900H has a higher boost power draw than the average processor (115 W vs 64 W). The average processor has a boost power draw of 64 W.
    What it is: The short-term boost power limit the processor may draw under heavier turbo loads.
    When it matters: When you size cooling and power delivery for peak turbo behavior.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: <50 W

    Intel Core i9 12900H has a higher boost power draw than the average processor (115 W vs 64 W). The average processor has a boost power draw of 64 W.115 W vs 64 W
  • 21.9% larger die size
    Intel Core i9 12900H has a higher die size than the average processor (217 mm² vs 178 mm²). The average processor has a die size of 178 mm².
    What it is: The physical area of the processor die, usually measured in square millimeters.
    When it matters: When you are comparing chip scale, packaging density, or broader design differences rather than direct user-visible performance.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: <150 mm²

    Intel Core i9 12900H has a higher die size than the average processor (217 mm² vs 178 mm²). The average processor has a die size of 178 mm².217 mm² vs 178 mm²
  • 2.2x more expensive
    Intel Core i9 12900H is more expensive than the average processor (£550 vs £250).
    Intel Core i9 12900H is more expensive than the average processor (£550 vs £250).£550 vs £250
  • Narrower instruction support
    Intel Core i9 12900H supports a narrower instruction set than the average processor (MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, FMA3, AES, SHA vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA).
    What it is: The supported CPU instruction sets and extensions.
    When it matters: When you run software that depends on specific CPU instructions.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Intel Core i9 12900H supports a narrower instruction set than the average processor (MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, FMA3, AES, SHA vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA).MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, FMA3, AES, SHA vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA
  • Older CPU socket
    Intel Core i9 12900H uses an older CPU socket than the average processor (FCBGA1,744 vs FP2).
    What it is: The physical socket the processor fits into on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you need to make sure the CPU can actually be installed on a specific motherboard.

    Importance: HIGH

    Intel Core i9 12900H uses an older CPU socket than the average processor (FCBGA1,744 vs FP2).FCBGA1744 vs FP2
  • Limited PCIe bifurcation
    Intel Core i9 12900H supports less flexible PCIe bifurcation than the average processor (x8/x4/x4 vs x16, x8/x8).
    What it is: The supported ways PCIe lanes can be split across multiple slots or devices.
    When it matters: When you plan multiple expansion cards or NVMe adapters.

    Importance: LOW

    Intel Core i9 12900H supports less flexible PCIe bifurcation than the average processor (x8/x4/x4 vs x16, x8/x8).x8/x4/x4 vs x16, x8/x8
Total
Overall
Platform
Performance
Cache & Architecture
Memory & PCIe
Power & Thermal

Graphic comparison of Intel Core i9 12900H and other processors

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Third-party reviews

What customers like about Intel Core i9 12900H?

  • Exceptional multi-threaded performance, often outperforming the Ryzen 9 6900HX in benchmarks
  • Strong productivity performance, particularly in content creation like video editing and 3D rendering
  • Integrated graphics with 96 EUs provide a notable lead in certain graphics-heavy workloads
  • Includes full 'Enterprise' vPro features for remote management and security
  • Support for high-speed DDR5-4800 and LPDDR5-5200 memory

What customers dislike about Intel Core i9 12900H?

  • Poor value for money as performance is often nearly identical to the cheaper i7-12700H
  • High operating temperatures, frequently reaching 90-100°C under load without proper cooling
  • Locked multiplier prevents easy overclocking (unlike the i9-12900HK)
  • Significant power consumption when pushed, which can negatively impact battery life
  • Performance is heavily dependent on laptop cooling; thinner laptops may suffer from thermal throttling

Expert reviews

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tomshardware.com
05/03/2022
Asus ROG Flow Z13 Gaming Tablet Review Would you like to compare the performance benchmarks of the i9-12900H against its successor or a specific AMD c...

The Asus ROG Flow Z13 is a highly portable 2-in-1 gaming tablet, featuring a unique, retro-futuristic design with an RGB-lit rear window, powered by an Intel Core i9 processor and a 120Hz touchscreen. It offers an extremely lightweight (approx. 1.18 kg) build with a bright 13.4-inch display, efficient vapor chamber cooling, and versatile input options. However, the device is...Read more

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pcworld.com
22/08/2022
Acer Predator Triton 300 SE OLED review

The Acer Predator Triton 300 SE OLED is a 14-inch laptop offering superior performance for creators via an Intel Core i9-12900H and 32GB of RAM, highlighted by a vibrant 90Hz OLED display. While boasting excellent battery life, a 1080p webcam, and rich port selection, the $1,949 device is limited for gamers by its RTX 3060 GPU and 90Hz refresh rate. Despite a slightly lower-tier...Read more

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tomshardware.com
21/09/2022
Acer Predator Triton 300 SE Review: Cinematic Quality Screen

The Acer Predator Triton 300 SE (2022) is a 14-inch gaming laptop, model PT314-52S-95GB, featuring a high-performance Intel Core i9-12900H CPU and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU with a 2.8K OLED display. The device is notable for its premium, portable aluminum design, 32GB of soldered RAM, and 1TB SSD, delivering strong performance in CPU-heavy tasks and solid battery life....Read more

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tomshardware.com
03/06/2022
Acer Predator Triton 500 SE (2022) Review

The Acer Predator Triton 500 SE (2022) is a 16-inch, 5.29-pound gaming laptop designed for portability with a professional aesthetic, featuring a 240Hz 2560x1600 display and a 1080p webcam. While offering top-tier performance with an Intel Core i9-12900H and NVIDIA RTX 3080 Ti, the device often underperformed in gaming benchmarks compared to competitors like the Alienware x17 R2,...Read more

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tomshardware.com
15/07/2022
Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 G733Z Review

The Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 G733Z (2022) is a high-performance gaming laptop, featuring Intel's 12th Gen "Alder Lake" processors and Nvidia RTX 30-series graphics within a functional design that includes a semi-translucent deck and customizable RGB. It excels in performance, boasting a high-quality, color-accurate 17.3-inch 1440p display, quiet fans under load, and a responsive...Read more

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pcworld.com
14/01/2022
Intel's 12th-gen Core i9-12900H is the fastest laptop CPU ever

The PCWorld review of the Intel Core i9-12900K, marking Intel's return to the top of the desktop CPU market, details a hybrid architecture featuring eight high-performance "P-cores" and eight efficient "E-cores". The 16-core, 24-thread chip delivers top-tier performance for both gaming and heavy multi-threaded workloads, often exceeding the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X in...Read more

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cpubenchmark.net
Q1 2022
Intel Core i9-12900H - CPU Benchmarks

The Intel Core i9-12900H is a high-end Alder Lake-H mobile processor featuring 14 cores (6P + 8E) and 20 threads, delivering top-tier multi-threaded performance and 5.0 GHz turbo speeds. It provides exceptional single-threaded performance for gaming and professional applications, supporting modern DDR5-4800 memory, PCIe 4.0, and offering vPro enterprise management features. However,...Read more

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lesnumeriques.com
25/02/2022
Intel Core i9-12900H: An ultra-fast mobile processor that's a total power hog

a little longer The Intel Core i9-12900H is an exceptionally fast mobile processor utilizing a 14-core, 20-thread hybrid architecture to deliver significant performance gains over previous generations, especially in multi-threaded tasks like video encoding. While offering top-tier performance for professionals, the processor is highly power-hungry, reaching 115W and causing high...Read more

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itdaily.fr
14/04/2022
MSI Creator Z17 Review: Seductive Power

The MSI Creator Z17 is a premium 17-inch mobile workstation featuring a durable CNC-milled aluminum chassis, catering to professionals with a professional, understated aesthetic. It delivers high-end performance via an Intel Core i9-12900H and NVIDIA RTX 3080 Ti, making it ideal for intensive creative tasks like 8K editing. Additionally, the 165Hz QHD+ touchscreen offers excellent...Read more

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cpubenchmark.net
18/03/2024
Intel Core i9-12900H CPU Performance Benchmarks

The Intel Core i9-12900H is a high-end Alder Lake-H mobile processor featuring a 14-core (6 E) hybrid design with 20 threads, a 5.0 GHz boost clock, and a PassMark CPU Mark score of roughly 26,842. It provides exceptional single-threaded performance (approx. 3,671) for gaming and significant multi-core improvements over 11th Gen chips, supporting DDR5 and PCIe 4.0. However, the chip...Read more

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laptopmedia.com
23/01/2023
Intel Core i9-13900HX vs Core i9-12900H Comparison

The Intel Core i9-12900H is a 14-core (6 E), 10nm Alder Lake-H processor featuring 20 threads and a 5.00 GHz maximum turbo frequency. It offers immense multi-core performance, frequently outperforming competitors like the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX in heavy rendering tasks. The integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics (96EU) also provide competent performance for content creation. However, the...Read more

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laptopmedia.com
04/01/2022
Intel Core i9-12900H | LaptopMedia - Specs and Benchmark Tests

The Intel Core i9-12900H is a high-performance 12th Gen "Alder Lake" mobile processor featuring 14 cores and 20 threads, designed for heavy workloads, 3D rendering, and 1080p gaming. It offers industry-leading single- and multi-core performance, often dominating benchmark tests against previous generations and competitors. However, this power comes at the cost of extreme heat and...Read more

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notebookcheck.nl
25/02/2022
Intel Core i9-12900H Debut: Uniwill Technology GM7AG8P Laptop Review

The Uniwill Technology GM7AG8P review highlights the debut of the Intel Core i9-12900H processor, showcasing a 17.3-inch desktop replacement that delivers a 36% performance lead over 11th-gen flagships. Featuring 14 cores and a 115W TDP, this system, paired with an NVIDIA RTX 3080 Ti, excels in multi-threaded tasks and content creation. While offering extensive upgradeability with...Read more

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techtesters.eu
23/01/2022
Intel Core i9-12900H Review - Techtesters

The Techtesters review of the Intel Core i9-12900H, tested in the 2022 ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15, highlights a massive 50% increase in multi-core performance over previous generations, cementing its status as a mobile processor capable of desktop-class heavy workloads and top-tier gaming. Pros include unrivaled raw speed, support for DDR5 and PCIe 4.0, and a hybrid architecture that...Read more

(Translated)Show original

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