i9-12900H vs i7-980X

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-980X
2010
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
4.45
Core i9-12900H
2022
14 cores / 20 threads, 45 Watt
18.26
+310%

Core i9-12900H outperforms Core i7-980X by a whopping 310% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-980X and Core i9-12900H processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking1358350
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.22no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
Seriesno dataIntel Alder Lake-P
Power efficiency3.1237.00
Architecture codenameGulftown (2010−2011)Alder Lake-H (2022)
Release date16 March 2010 (14 years ago)4 January 2022 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$959no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-980X and Core i9-12900H 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 cores6 (Hexa-Core)14 (Tetradeca-Core)
Threads1220
Base clock speed3.33 GHz2.5 GHz
Boost clock speed3.6 GHz5 GHz
Bus rate6.4 GT/sno data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)80K (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache12 MB (shared)24 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nmIntel 7 nm
Die size239 mm2217 mm2
Maximum core temperature68 °C100 °C
Number of transistors1,170 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-980X and Core i9-12900H 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 configuration11
SocketFCLGA1366FCBGA1744
Power consumption (TDP)130 Watt45 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-980X and Core i9-12900H. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
FMA-+
AVX-+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shiftno data+
Turbo Boost Technology1.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX-+
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring-+
Flex Memory Accessno data+
SIPP-+
Demand Based Switching-no data
PAE36 Bitno data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0no data+
Deep Learning Boost-+

Security technologies

Core i7-980X and Core i9-12900H technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT-+
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
OS Guardno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-980X and Core i9-12900H are enumerated here.

VT-dno data+
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-980X and Core i9-12900H. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR4, DDR5
Maximum memory size24 GB64 GB
Max memory channels32
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel® Iris® Xe Graphics eligible
Quick Sync Video-+
Graphics max frequencyno data1.45 GHz
Execution Unitsno data96

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-980X and Core i9-12900H integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data4

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i7-980X and Core i9-12900H integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.4no data4096 x 2304 @ 60Hz
Max resolution over eDPno data4096 x 2304 @ 120Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPortno data7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i7-980X and Core i9-12900H integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectXno data12.1
OpenGLno data4.6

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-980X and Core i9-12900H.

PCIe version2.04.0
PCI Express lanesno data20

Synthetic benchmark performance

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


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.

i7-980X 4.45
i9-12900H 18.26
+310%

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i7-980X 6810
i9-12900H 27939
+310%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 4.45 18.26
Recency 16 March 2010 4 January 2022
Physical cores 6 14
Threads 12 20
Power consumption (TDP) 130 Watt 45 Watt

i9-12900H has a 310.3% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 11 years, 133.3% more physical cores and 66.7% more threads, and 188.9% lower power consumption.

The Core i9-12900H is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-980X in performance tests.

Note that Core i7-980X is a desktop processor while Core i9-12900H is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-980X and Core i9-12900H, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i7-980X
Core i7-980X
Intel Core i9-12900H
Core i9-12900H

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


4.2 89 votes

Rate Core i7-980X on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
4 605 votes

Rate Core i9-12900H on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-980X or Core i9-12900H, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.