i7-1255U vs i9-12900K

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Aggregate performance score

Core i9-12900K
2021
16 cores / 24 threads, 125 Watt
26.09
+206%
Core i7-1255U
2022
10 cores / 12 threads, 15 Watt
8.53

Core i9-12900K outperforms Core i7-1255U by a whopping 206% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

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

Place in the ranking191895
Place by popularitynot in top-10074
Cost-effectiveness evaluation37.30no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
SeriesIntel Core i9Intel Alder Lake-M
Power efficiency19.7553.82
Architecture codenameAlder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)Alder Lake-U (2022)
Release date27 October 2021 (3 years ago)23 February 2022 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$589no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i9-12900K and Core i7-1255U 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 cores16 (Hexadeca-Core)10 (Deca-Core)
Threads2412
Base clock speed3.2 GHz1.7 GHz
Boost clock speed5.2 GHz4.7 GHz
Bus typeDMI 4.0no data
Bus rate8 × 16 GT/sno data
Multiplier32no data
L1 cache768 KB80K (per core)
L2 cache4 MB1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache6 MB12 MB (shared)
Chip lithography10 nmIntel 7 nm
Die size215.25 mm2"no data
Maximum core temperature100 °C100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility++
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-12900K and Core i7-1255U 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
SocketFCLGA1700FCBGA1744
Power consumption (TDP)125 Watt15 Watt

Technologies and extensions

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

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
FMA-+
AVX++
vPro+no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shift++
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX-+
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Accessno data+
SIPP+-
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+no data
Deep Learning Boost++

Security technologies

Core i9-12900K and Core i7-1255U 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 i9-12900K and Core i7-1255U are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

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

Supported memory typesDDR4, DDR5DDR4, DDR5
Maximum memory size128 GB64 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth76.805 GB/sno data
ECC memory support+-

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel UHD Graphics 770Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics eligible
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency1.55 GHz1.25 GHz
Execution Units3296

Graphics interfaces

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

Number of displays supported44

Graphics image quality

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

Max resolution over HDMI 1.44096 x 2160 @ 60Hz4096 x 2304 @ 60Hz
Max resolution over eDP5120 x 3200 @ 120Hz4096 x 2304 @ 120Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPort7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz

Graphics API support

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

DirectX1212.1
OpenGL4.54.6

Peripherals

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

PCIe version5.0 and 4.04.0
PCI Express lanes2020

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.

i9-12900K 26.09
+206%
i7-1255U 8.53

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.

i9-12900K 41435
+206%
i7-1255U 13545

Cinebench 15 64-bit multi-core

Cinebench Release 15 Multi Core is a variant of Cinebench R15 which uses all the processor threads.

i9-12900K 4057
+192%
i7-1255U 1389

Cinebench 15 64-bit single-core

Cinebench R15 (standing for Release 15) is a benchmark made by Maxon, authors of Cinema 4D. It was superseded by later versions of Cinebench, which use more modern variants of Cinema 4D engine. The Single Core version (sometimes called Single-Thread) only uses a single processor thread to render a room full of reflective spheres and light sources.

i9-12900K 289
+21.4%
i7-1255U 238

Geekbench 5.5 Multi-Core

i9-12900K 17776
+123%
i7-1255U 7982

Blender(-)

i9-12900K 125
i7-1255U 396
+217%

Geekbench 5.5 Single-Core

i9-12900K 2006
+20.7%
i7-1255U 1661

7-Zip Single

i9-12900K 6576
+25.3%
i7-1255U 5248

7-Zip

i9-12900K 97316
+165%
i7-1255U 36691

WebXPRT 3

i9-12900K 325
+18.2%
i7-1255U 275

CrossMark Overall

i9-12900K 2308
+57.6%
i7-1255U 1465

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 26.09 8.53
Recency 27 October 2021 23 February 2022
Physical cores 16 10
Threads 24 12
Power consumption (TDP) 125 Watt 15 Watt

i9-12900K has a 205.9% higher aggregate performance score, and 60% more physical cores and 100% more threads.

i7-1255U, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 3 months, and 733.3% lower power consumption.

The Core i9-12900K is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-1255U in performance tests.

Note that Core i9-12900K is a desktop processor while Core i7-1255U is a notebook one.


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

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


Intel Core i9-12900K
Core i9-12900K
Intel Core i7-1255U
Core i7-1255U

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i9-12900K or Core i7-1255U, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.