PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i7-12700K

2021

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900HX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (34,347 vs 42,437).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 36 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $409 MSRP, while Core i9-13900HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌127.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 55W.

Core i9-13900HX

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+44% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 125W, a 70W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Laptop Integrated), unlike Core i7-12700K.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i7-12700K

2021

Core i9-13900HX

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+44% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 125W, a 70W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Laptop Integrated), unlike Core i7-12700K.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900HX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (34,347 vs 42,437).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 36 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $409 MSRP, while Core i9-13900HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌127.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 55W.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-13900HX better than Core i7-12700K?

Yes. Core i9-13900HX is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 4.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 23.6% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-13900HX is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 4.5% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-13900HX is the better fit. You are getting 23.6% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 32 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 44% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 25 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i9-13900HX is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i7-12700K makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i9-13900HX is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $409 MSRP, and it gives you a 4.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-12700K is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (84.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i9-13900HX is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021), 44% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 25 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 32 threads instead of 12/20. That extra compute headroom should age better as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i7-12700K Benchmark Check

Core i9-13900HX Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Core i9-13900HX
1080p
low	314 FPS	321 FPS
medium	295 FPS	311 FPS
high	246 FPS	247 FPS
ultra	193 FPS	209 FPS
1440p
low	269 FPS	278 FPS
medium	225 FPS	240 FPS
high	182 FPS	178 FPS
ultra	145 FPS	158 FPS
4K
low	170 FPS	192 FPS
medium	142 FPS	164 FPS
high	109 FPS	123 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	112 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Core i9-13900HX

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Core i9-13900HX
1080p
low	630 FPS	401 FPS
medium	533 FPS	350 FPS
high	450 FPS	286 FPS
ultra	410 FPS	252 FPS
1440p
low	536 FPS	341 FPS
medium	475 FPS	306 FPS
high	403 FPS	255 FPS
ultra	349 FPS	207 FPS
4K
low	312 FPS	191 FPS
medium	280 FPS	174 FPS
high	266 FPS	166 FPS
ultra	234 FPS	145 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Core i9-13900HX

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Core i9-13900HX
1080p
low	797 FPS	762 FPS
medium	633 FPS	626 FPS
high	556 FPS	543 FPS
ultra	472 FPS	467 FPS
1440p
low	704 FPS	680 FPS
medium	565 FPS	567 FPS
high	490 FPS	485 FPS
ultra	422 FPS	423 FPS
4K
low	510 FPS	497 FPS
medium	425 FPS	430 FPS
high	381 FPS	383 FPS
ultra	321 FPS	329 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Core i9-13900HX

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Core i9-13900HX
1080p
low	859 FPS	1012 FPS
medium	802 FPS	905 FPS
high	699 FPS	792 FPS
ultra	628 FPS	704 FPS
1440p
low	760 FPS	840 FPS
medium	678 FPS	739 FPS
high	590 FPS	646 FPS
ultra	519 FPS	568 FPS
4K
low	535 FPS	620 FPS
medium	488 FPS	555 FPS
high	437 FPS	491 FPS
ultra	384 FPS	430 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Core i9-13900HX

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-12700K and Core i9-13900HX

Core i7-12700K

The Core i7-12700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 November 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture. It features 12 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 34,347 points. Launch price was $409.

Core i9-13900HX

The Core i9-13900HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture. It features 24 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 42,437 points. Launch price was $668.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-12700K packs 12 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i9-13900HX offers 24 cores / 32 threads — the Core i9-13900HX has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i7-12700K versus 5.4 GHz on the Core i9-13900HX — a 7.7% clock advantage for the Core i9-13900HX (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i7-12700K uses the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i9-13900HX uses Raptor Lake-HX (2023) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-12700K scores 34,347 against the Core i9-13900HX's 42,437 — a 21.1% lead for the Core i9-13900HX. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700K vs 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-13900HX.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Core i9-13900HX
Cores / Threads	12 / 20	24 / 32+100%
Boost Clock	5 GHz	5.4 GHz+8%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+64%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	25 MB (total)	36 MB (total)+44%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+60%
Process	10 nm	Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture	Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)	Raptor Lake-HX (2023)
PassMark	34,347	42,437+24%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	29,493
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,878
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	14,944

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-12700K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-13900HX uses FCBGA1964 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 4800 on the Core i7-12700K versus DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200 on the Core i9-13900HX — the Core i7-12700K supports 199.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-13900HX supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Z690,B660 (Core i7-12700K) and HM770,WM790 (Core i9-13900HX).

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Core i9-13900HX
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA1964
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	4800+95900%	DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128	192 GB+157286300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-12700K) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i9-13900HX). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i7-12700K) and UHD Graphics 770 (Core i9-13900HX) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-13900HX targets Performance Gaming / Mobile Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i7-12700K rivals Ryzen 7 5800X; Core i9-13900HX rivals Ryzen 9 7945HX.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Core i9-13900HX
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Performance Gaming / Mobile Workstation