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 i7-12850HX

2022

Why buy it

✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1964 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 770, while Ryzen 9 3900 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 64 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 9 3900.

Ryzen 9 3900

2019

Why buy it

✅+156% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 25 MB).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Prism), unlike Core i7-12850HX.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (30,588 vs 30,596).
❌Launch MSRP is still $499 MSRP, while Core i7-12850HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i7-12850HX moves to FCBGA1964 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-12850HX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-12850HX

2022

Ryzen 9 3900

2019

Why buy it

✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1964 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 770, while Ryzen 9 3900 needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅+156% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 25 MB).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Prism), unlike Core i7-12850HX.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 64 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 9 3900.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (30,588 vs 30,596).
❌Launch MSRP is still $499 MSRP, while Core i7-12850HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i7-12850HX moves to FCBGA1964 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-12850HX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-12850HX better than Ryzen 9 3900?

Yes. Core i7-12850HX is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 1.7% average FPS lead across 39 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0% 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 i7-12850HX is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 1.7% more average FPS across 39 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-12850HX is the better fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads.

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

Core i7-12850HX is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 9 3900 makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i7-12850HX is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $499 MSRP, and it gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 39 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 9 3900 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (61.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-12850HX is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2019), a healthier platform with FCBGA1964 and DDR5 instead of AM4, and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 24 threads instead of 12/24. 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 i7-12850HX Benchmark Check

Ryzen 9 3900 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-12850HX	Ryzen 9 3900
1080p
low	269 FPS	159 FPS
medium	259 FPS	130 FPS
high	214 FPS	111 FPS
ultra	184 FPS	92 FPS
1440p
low	230 FPS	144 FPS
medium	198 FPS	115 FPS
high	159 FPS	94 FPS
ultra	140 FPS	78 FPS
4K
low	159 FPS	78 FPS
medium	136 FPS	67 FPS
high	106 FPS	53 FPS
ultra	93 FPS	43 FPS

Open Core i7-12850HX Open Ryzen 9 3900

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-12850HX	Ryzen 9 3900
1080p
low	313 FPS	534 FPS
medium	265 FPS	470 FPS
high	224 FPS	384 FPS
ultra	205 FPS	342 FPS
1440p
low	258 FPS	460 FPS
medium	228 FPS	411 FPS
high	199 FPS	347 FPS
ultra	173 FPS	289 FPS
4K
low	159 FPS	288 FPS
medium	142 FPS	261 FPS
high	135 FPS	238 FPS
ultra	120 FPS	213 FPS

Open Core i7-12850HX Open Ryzen 9 3900

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-12850HX	Ryzen 9 3900
1080p
low	765 FPS	709 FPS
medium	616 FPS	589 FPS
high	545 FPS	536 FPS
ultra	462 FPS	472 FPS
1440p
low	692 FPS	541 FPS
medium	554 FPS	448 FPS
high	485 FPS	401 FPS
ultra	416 FPS	347 FPS
4K
low	498 FPS	394 FPS
medium	416 FPS	315 FPS
high	373 FPS	279 FPS
ultra	314 FPS	224 FPS

Open Core i7-12850HX Open Ryzen 9 3900

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-12850HX	Ryzen 9 3900
1080p
low	765 FPS	765 FPS
medium	765 FPS	765 FPS
high	672 FPS	711 FPS
ultra	597 FPS	638 FPS
1440p
low	742 FPS	725 FPS
medium	658 FPS	644 FPS
high	566 FPS	553 FPS
ultra	493 FPS	486 FPS
4K
low	522 FPS	516 FPS
medium	473 FPS	469 FPS
high	419 FPS	411 FPS
ultra	364 FPS	360 FPS

Open Core i7-12850HX Open Ryzen 9 3900

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-12850HX and Ryzen 9 3900

Core i7-12850HX

The Core i7-12850HX 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 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 25 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: 30,596 points. Launch price was $499.

Ryzen 9 3900

The Ryzen 9 3900 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 24 September 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB (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: 30,588 points. Launch price was $499.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-12850HX packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Ryzen 9 3900 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Core i7-12850HX has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-12850HX versus 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen 9 3900 — a 11% clock advantage for the Core i7-12850HX (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i7-12850HX uses the Alder Lake-HX (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 9 3900 uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-12850HX scores 30,596 against the Ryzen 9 3900's 30,588 — a 0% lead for the Core i7-12850HX. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12850HX vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 3900.

Feature	Core i7-12850HX	Ryzen 9 3900
Cores / Threads	16 / 24+33%	12 / 24
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz+12%	4.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	3.1 GHz+48%
L3 Cache	25 MB (total)	64 MB+156%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+150%	512 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-HX (2022)	Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark	30,596	30,588
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	17,700
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,713
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	10,983

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-12850HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 9 3900 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i7-12850HX versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 9 3900 — the Core i7-12850HX supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-12850HX) vs 24 (Ryzen 9 3900) — the Ryzen 9 3900 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i7-12850HX	Ryzen 9 3900
Socket	FCBGA1964	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+25%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	24+20%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i7-12850HX supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-12850HX) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 9 3900). The Core i7-12850HX includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Ryzen 9 3900 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-12850HX targets Mobile Workstation, Ryzen 9 3900 targets Workstation Desktop (low power). Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 3900 rivals Core i9-9900.

Feature	Core i7-12850HX	Ryzen 9 3900
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 770	—
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	Mobile Workstation	Workstation Desktop (low power)