i9-12900KS vs i7-1255U

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-1255U and Core i9-12900KS processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking	885	172
Place by popularity	37	not in top-100
Market segment	Laptop	Desktop processor
Series	Intel Alder Lake-M	no data
Power efficiency	53.88	17.48
Architecture codename	Alder Lake-U (2022)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
Release date	23 February 2022 (2 years ago)	5 April 2022 (2 years ago)

Detailed specifications

Core i7-1255U and Core i9-12900KS basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores	10 (Deca-Core)	16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads	12	24
Base clock speed	1.7 GHz	3.4 GHz
Boost clock speed	4.7 GHz	5.3 GHz
L1 cache	80K (per core)	80K (per core)
L2 cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache	12 MB (shared)	30 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	Intel 7 nm	Intel 7 nm
Die size	no data	215 mm2
Maximum core temperature	100 °C	90 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	no data	72 °C
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	+	+
Unlocked multiplier	-	+

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-1255U and Core i9-12900KS compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration	1	1
Socket	FCBGA1744	FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)	15 Watt	150 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-1255U and Core i9-12900KS. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI	+	+
FMA	+	-
AVX	+	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Speed Shift	+	+
Turbo Boost Technology	no data	2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
TSX	+	+
Idle States	no data	+
Thermal Monitoring	+	+
Flex Memory Access	+	no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0	no data	+
Deep Learning Boost	+	+

Security technologies

Core i7-1255U and Core i9-12900KS technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	+	+
EDB	+	+
Secure Key	+	+
OS Guard	+	+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-1255U and Core i9-12900KS are enumerated here.

VT-d	+	+
VT-x	+	+
EPT	+	+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-1255U and Core i9-12900KS. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR4, DDR5	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Maximum memory size	64 GB	128 GB
Max memory channels	2	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	no data	76.8 GB/s
ECC memory support	-	+

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card	Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics eligible	Intel UHD Graphics 770
Quick Sync Video	+	+
Clear Video HD	no data	+
Graphics max frequency	1.25 GHz	1.55 GHz
Execution Units	96	32

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-1255U and Core i9-12900KS integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported

4

4

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i7-1255U and Core i9-12900KS integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.4	4096 x 2304 @ 60Hz	4096 x 2160 @ 60Hz
Max resolution over eDP	4096 x 2304 @ 120Hz	5120 x 3200 @ 120Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPort	7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz	7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i7-1255U and Core i9-12900KS integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX	12.1	12
OpenGL	4.6	4.5

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-1255U and Core i9-12900KS.

PCIe version	4.0	5.0 and 4.0
PCI Express lanes	20	20

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.

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Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

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Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	8.54	27.71
Recency	23 February 2022	5 April 2022
Physical cores	10	16
Threads	12	24
Power consumption (TDP)	15 Watt	150 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-1255U and Core i9-12900KS, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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