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 i9-12950HX

2022

Why buy it

✅+28.1% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Ryzen 7 8700F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 8700F across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 7 8700F.

Ryzen 7 8700F

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.5% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Spire), unlike Core i9-12950HX.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (18,040 vs 23,113).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $270 MSRP, while Core i9-12950HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-12950HX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i9-12950HX

2022

Ryzen 7 8700F

2024

Why buy it

✅+28.1% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Ryzen 7 8700F needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.5% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Spire), unlike Core i9-12950HX.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 8700F across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 7 8700F.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (18,040 vs 23,113).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $270 MSRP, while Core i9-12950HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-12950HX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 8700F better than Core i9-12950HX?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Ryzen 7 8700F is ahead with a 16.5% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-12950HX pulls ahead with 28.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core i9-12950HX also has the bigger cache pool with 87.5% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 16 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-12950HX is the better fit. You are getting 28.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 87.5% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 16 MB).

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

Ryzen 7 8700F is the smarter buy today. Ryzen 7 8700F is at an unclear MSRP at $270 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 16.5% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that Core i9-12950HX is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 28.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (115.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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?

Ryzen 7 8700F is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2022). 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 i9-12950HX Benchmark Check

Ryzen 7 8700F Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i9-12950HX	Ryzen 7 8700F
1080p
low	269 FPS	266 FPS
medium	259 FPS	240 FPS
high	214 FPS	206 FPS
ultra	184 FPS	176 FPS
1440p
low	230 FPS	233 FPS
medium	198 FPS	190 FPS
high	159 FPS	158 FPS
ultra	140 FPS	138 FPS
4K
low	159 FPS	158 FPS
medium	136 FPS	131 FPS
high	106 FPS	102 FPS
ultra	93 FPS	88 FPS

Open Core i9-12950HX Open Ryzen 7 8700F

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i9-12950HX	Ryzen 7 8700F
1080p
low	611 FPS	483 FPS
medium	523 FPS	403 FPS
high	439 FPS	347 FPS
ultra	397 FPS	308 FPS
1440p
low	527 FPS	423 FPS
medium	470 FPS	374 FPS
high	397 FPS	322 FPS
ultra	340 FPS	273 FPS
4K
low	310 FPS	283 FPS
medium	281 FPS	259 FPS
high	266 FPS	244 FPS
ultra	232 FPS	209 FPS

Open Core i9-12950HX Open Ryzen 7 8700F

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i9-12950HX	Ryzen 7 8700F
1080p
low	775 FPS	781 FPS
medium	616 FPS	781 FPS
high	545 FPS	767 FPS
ultra	462 FPS	649 FPS
1440p
low	692 FPS	766 FPS
medium	554 FPS	629 FPS
high	485 FPS	544 FPS
ultra	416 FPS	463 FPS
4K
low	498 FPS	530 FPS
medium	416 FPS	457 FPS
high	373 FPS	402 FPS
ultra	314 FPS	338 FPS

Open Core i9-12950HX Open Ryzen 7 8700F

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i9-12950HX	Ryzen 7 8700F
1080p
low	787 FPS	781 FPS
medium	783 FPS	781 FPS
high	676 FPS	781 FPS
ultra	600 FPS	781 FPS
1440p
low	744 FPS	781 FPS
medium	659 FPS	781 FPS
high	569 FPS	692 FPS
ultra	496 FPS	602 FPS
4K
low	523 FPS	615 FPS
medium	474 FPS	553 FPS
high	421 FPS	495 FPS
ultra	366 FPS	431 FPS

Open Core i9-12950HX Open Ryzen 7 8700F

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i9-12950HX and Ryzen 7 8700F

Core i9-12950HX

The Core i9-12950HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 May 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-HX (2022) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 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: 31,494 points. Launch price was $499.

Ryzen 7 8700F

The Ryzen 7 8700F is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 April 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Phoenix (2023−2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4.1 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 31,240 points. Launch price was $270.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-12950HX packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Ryzen 7 8700F offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i9-12950HX has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-12950HX versus 5 GHz on the Ryzen 7 8700F — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.3 GHz vs 4.1 GHz). The Core i9-12950HX uses the Alder Lake-HX (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 7 8700F uses Phoenix (2023−2024) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-12950HX scores 31,494 against the Ryzen 7 8700F's 31,240 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i9-12950HX. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 23,113 vs 18,040 (24.7% advantage for the Core i9-12950HX). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,349 vs 2,649, a 12% lead for the Ryzen 7 8700F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 15,711 vs 13,500 (15.1% advantage for the Core i9-12950HX). L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i9-12950HX vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 8700F.

Feature	Core i9-12950HX	Ryzen 7 8700F
Cores / Threads	16 / 24+100%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	5 GHz	5 GHz
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	4.1 GHz+78%
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)+88%	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+25%	1 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	4 nm-43%
Architecture	Alder Lake-HX (2022)	Phoenix (2023−2024)
PassMark	31,494	31,240
Cinebench R23 Multi	23,113+28%	18,040
Geekbench 6 Single	2,349	2,649+13%
Geekbench 6 Multi	15,711+16%	13,500

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-12950HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 7 8700F uses AM5 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. The Ryzen 7 8700F supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM670,WM690 (Core i9-12950HX) and XB650,B650,A620 (Ryzen 7 8700F).

Feature	Core i9-12950HX	Ryzen 7 8700F
Socket	FCBGA1964	AM5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	DDR5-5200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	256 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Ryzen 7 8700F supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i9-12950HX) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 7 8700F). The Core i9-12950HX includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Ryzen 7 8700F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-12950HX targets Mobile Workstation Flagship, Ryzen 7 8700F targets High-performance Gaming w/ dGPU. Direct competitor: Core i9-12950HX rivals Ryzen 9 6980HX; Ryzen 7 8700F rivals Core i7-14700F.

Feature	Core i9-12950HX	Ryzen 7 8700F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	—
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	AMD-V
Target Use	Mobile Workstation Flagship	High-performance Gaming w/ dGPU