i9-12900KF vs i7-8550U

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-8550U and Core i9-12900KF processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking	1443	184
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	no data	38.91
Market segment	Laptop	Desktop processor
Series	Intel Core i7	Intel Core i9
Power efficiency	24.32	19.60
Architecture codename	Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019)	Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)
Release date	21 August 2017 (7 years ago)	27 October 2021 (3 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$409	$564

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-8550U and Core i9-12900KF 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	4 (Quad-Core)	16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads	8	24
Base clock speed	1.8 GHz	3.2 GHz
Boost clock speed	4 GHz	5.2 GHz
Bus type	OPI	DMI 4.0
Bus rate	4 GT/s	8 × 16 GT/s
Multiplier	18	32
L1 cache	256 KB	768 KB
L2 cache	1 MB	4 MB
L3 cache	8 MB (shared)	6 MB
Chip lithography	14 nm	Intel 7 nm
Die size	123 mm2	215.25 mm2
Maximum core temperature	100 °C	100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	72 °C	72 °C
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	+	+
Unlocked multiplier	-	+

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-8550U and Core i9-12900KF 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 (Uniprocessor)	1
Socket	FCBGA1356,FC-BGA1356	FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)	15 Watt	125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-8550U and Core i9-12900KF. 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	+	+
AVX	+	+
vPro	no data	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Speed Shift	+	+
My WiFi	+	no data
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
Idle States	+	+
Thermal Monitoring	+	+
Flex Memory Access	+	no data
Smart Response	+	no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0	no data	+
Deep Learning Boost	-	+

Security technologies

Core i7-8550U and Core i9-12900KF technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	-	no data
EDB	+	+
Secure Key	+	+
Identity Protection	+	-
SGX	Yes with Intel® ME	no data
OS Guard	+	+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-8550U and Core i9-12900KF are enumerated here.

AMD-V	+	-
VT-d	+	+
VT-x	+	+
EPT	+	+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-8550U and Core i9-12900KF. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR4	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Maximum memory size	32 GB	128 GB
Max memory channels	2	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	38.397 GB/s	76.805 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card	Intel UHD Graphics 620	no data
Max video memory	32 GB	no data
Quick Sync Video	+	-
Clear Video	+	no data
Clear Video HD	+	no data
Graphics max frequency	1.15 GHz	no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-8550U and Core i9-12900KF integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported	3	no data
eDP	+	no data
DisplayPort	+	-
HDMI	+	-
DVI	+	no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i7-8550U and Core i9-12900KF integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution support	+	no data
Max resolution over HDMI 1.4	4096 x 2304@24Hz	no data
Max resolution over eDP	4096 x 2304@60Hz	no data
Max resolution over DisplayPort	4096 x 2304@60Hz	no data

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i7-8550U and Core i9-12900KF integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX	12	no data
OpenGL	4.4	no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-8550U and Core i9-12900KF.

PCIe version	3.0	5.0 and 4.0
PCI Express lanes	12	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	4.00	26.87
Recency	21 August 2017	27 October 2021
Physical cores	4	16
Threads	8	24
Power consumption (TDP)	15 Watt	125 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-8550U and Core i9-12900KF, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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