Core i9 12900HX vs Core Ultra 7 265HX
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Core i9 12900HX | Core Ultra 7 265HX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cinebench 2024 single-core | 112 | 125 | -10.4% |
| Cinebench 2024 multi-core | 1,269 | 1,598 | -20.6% |
| Cores | 16 (8P+8E) | 20 (8P+12E) | — |
| TDP (base W) | 45 | 45 | — |
| PassMark CPU Mark | 33,015 | 48,166 | -31.5% |
- Core i9 12900HX is slower than Core Ultra 7 265HX by 10.4% in single-core and slower by 20.6% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024).
Verdict: Core i9 12900HX or Core Ultra 7 265HX?
Core i9 12900HX advantages
- No decisive advantage on the tracked metrics.
Core Ultra 7 265HX advantages
- Single-core speed (+10%)
- Multi-core speed (+21%)
Which should you choose?
- Choose the Core Ultra 7 265HX if you mainly game or want snappy everyday responsiveness.
Core i9 12900HX vs Core Ultra 7 265HX: which should you choose?
Core i9 12900HX — 16-core Intel processor (8P+8E) scoring 112 single-core and 1269 multi-core in Cinebench 2024, with a 45 W TDP.
Core Ultra 7 265HX — 20-core Intel processor (8P+12E) scoring 125 single-core and 1598 multi-core in Cinebench 2024, with a 45 W TDP.
Core i9 12900HX vs Core Ultra 7 265HX: Core Ultra 7 265HX leads in multi-core performance. Core i9 12900HX is slower than Core Ultra 7 265HX by 10.4% in single-core and slower by 20.6% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024).
Gaming and single-threaded work
Games and everyday responsiveness lean on single-core speed. The Core Ultra 7 265HX leads there with a single-core score of 125 versus 112, so it is the marginally better pick for high-refresh gaming — though at typical resolutions the GPU usually decides frame rates.
Content creation and multitasking
For rendering, compilation, video export and other all-core workloads, the Core Ultra 7 265HX is stronger, posting 1,598 multi-core against 1,269 in Cinebench 2024. Its 20 cores (8 performance + 12 efficiency) give it real headroom for heavy parallel jobs.
Power and platform
The Core i9 12900HX is the more efficient chip at 45 W versus 45 W, which means less heat, quieter cooling and lower running costs under sustained load.
The verdict
Both are credible choices in the processor comparison space; the specification table above lays out every metric so you can weigh the trade-offs that matter to you. Pick the one whose strengths line up with how you will actually use it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Core i9 12900HX better than the Core Ultra 7 265HX?
Core Ultra 7 265HX is the clearly stronger overall choice, winning most of the dimensions that matter. Core i9 12900HX is slower than Core Ultra 7 265HX by 10.4% in single-core and slower by 20.6% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024).
What is the main difference between the Core i9 12900HX and the Core Ultra 7 265HX?
Core i9 12900HX is slower than Core Ultra 7 265HX by 10.4% in single-core and slower by 20.6% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024).
Which should I choose?
Choose the Core Ultra 7 265HX if you mainly game or want snappy everyday responsiveness.
Methodology
Processors are compared on Cinebench 2024 single-core and multi-core scores from published leaderboard results, alongside core configuration (performance + efficiency cores), base TDP, L3 cache, PassMark CPU Mark, 1080p gaming scores and street pricing where measured. Cinebench reflects rendering-style workloads; gaming performance depends heavily on the GPU and the specific title, so treat single-core standing as directional. Figures reflect the leaderboard snapshot on the page date.