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 i9-12900HK

2022

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅16.7% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EUs), while Ryzen 7 5800 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Laptop Integrated), unlike Ryzen 7 5800.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 5800 across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (25,512 vs 25,735).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 32 MB).

Ryzen 7 5800

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.6% higher average FPS across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $349 MSRP, while Core i9-12900HK mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i9-12900HK moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-12900HK can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i9-12900HK.

Core i9-12900HK

2022

Ryzen 7 5800

2020

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅16.7% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EUs), while Ryzen 7 5800 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Laptop Integrated), unlike Ryzen 7 5800.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.6% higher average FPS across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 5800 across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (25,512 vs 25,735).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 32 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $349 MSRP, while Core i9-12900HK mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i9-12900HK moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-12900HK can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i9-12900HK.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 5800 better than Core i9-12900HK?

Yes. Ryzen 7 5800 is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 4.6% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.9% better PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 7 5800 is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 4.6% more average FPS across 49 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 5800 is the better fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB).

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

Ryzen 7 5800 is the smarter buy today. Ryzen 7 5800 is at an unclear MSRP at $349 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 4.6% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (73.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

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

Core i9-12900HK is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2020) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of AM4. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

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 i9-12900HK Benchmark Check

Ryzen 7 5800 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i9-12900HK	Ryzen 7 5800
1080p
low	267 FPS	166 FPS
medium	257 FPS	136 FPS
high	213 FPS	119 FPS
ultra	183 FPS	96 FPS
1440p
low	229 FPS	145 FPS
medium	197 FPS	116 FPS
high	159 FPS	98 FPS
ultra	139 FPS	79 FPS
4K
low	159 FPS	80 FPS
medium	136 FPS	69 FPS
high	106 FPS	55 FPS
ultra	93 FPS	44 FPS

Open Core i9-12900HK Open Ryzen 7 5800

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i9-12900HK	Ryzen 7 5800
1080p
low	635 FPS	643 FPS
medium	539 FPS	541 FPS
high	458 FPS	441 FPS
ultra	418 FPS	397 FPS
1440p
low	549 FPS	551 FPS
medium	486 FPS	477 FPS
high	414 FPS	401 FPS
ultra	357 FPS	345 FPS
4K
low	324 FPS	342 FPS
medium	291 FPS	299 FPS
high	277 FPS	273 FPS
ultra	243 FPS	241 FPS

Open Core i9-12900HK Open Ryzen 7 5800

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i9-12900HK	Ryzen 7 5800
1080p
low	638 FPS	643 FPS
medium	616 FPS	547 FPS
high	545 FPS	497 FPS
ultra	462 FPS	425 FPS
1440p
low	638 FPS	558 FPS
medium	554 FPS	460 FPS
high	485 FPS	419 FPS
ultra	416 FPS	358 FPS
4K
low	498 FPS	405 FPS
medium	416 FPS	325 FPS
high	373 FPS	294 FPS
ultra	314 FPS	231 FPS

Open Core i9-12900HK Open Ryzen 7 5800

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i9-12900HK	Ryzen 7 5800
1080p
low	638 FPS	643 FPS
medium	638 FPS	643 FPS
high	638 FPS	643 FPS
ultra	604 FPS	643 FPS
1440p
low	638 FPS	643 FPS
medium	638 FPS	643 FPS
high	572 FPS	622 FPS
ultra	498 FPS	536 FPS
4K
low	525 FPS	556 FPS
medium	476 FPS	502 FPS
high	423 FPS	447 FPS
ultra	368 FPS	391 FPS

Open Core i9-12900HK Open Ryzen 7 5800

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i9-12900HK and Ryzen 7 5800

Core i9-12900HK

The Core i9-12900HK is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 25,512 points. Launch price was $299.

Ryzen 7 5800

The Ryzen 7 5800 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 25,735 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-12900HK packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen 7 5800 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i9-12900HK has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-12900HK versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 7 5800 — a 8.3% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900HK (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i9-12900HK uses the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 7 5800 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-12900HK scores 25,512 against the Ryzen 7 5800's 25,735 — a 0.9% lead for the Ryzen 7 5800. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900HK vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 5800.

Feature	Core i9-12900HK	Ryzen 7 5800
Cores / Threads	14 / 20+75%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	5 GHz+9%	4.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.4 GHz+36%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	32 MB+33%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+150%	512K (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-H (2022)	Vermeer (2020−2025)
PassMark	25,512	25,735
Cinebench R23 Multi	18,197	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,938	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	13,317	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-12900HK uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 7 5800 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i9-12900HK versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 5800 — the Core i9-12900HK supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 7 5800 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 28 (Core i9-12900HK) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 5800) — the Core i9-12900HK offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i9-12900HK	Ryzen 7 5800
Socket	FCBGA1744	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+25%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	28+17%	24

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i9-12900HK) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 7 5800). The Core i9-12900HK includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EUs)), while the Ryzen 7 5800 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-12900HK targets Enthusiast Gaming Laptop, Ryzen 7 5800 targets OEM Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i9-12900HK rivals Ryzen 9 6900HX.

Feature	Core i9-12900HK	Ryzen 7 5800
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EUs)	—
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	AMD-V
Target Use	Enthusiast Gaming Laptop	OEM Gaming