Core Ultra 5 250K Plus vs Core i9 12900HX
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Core Ultra 5 250K Plus | Core i9 12900HX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cinebench 2024 single-core | 139 | 112 | +24.1% |
| Cinebench 2024 multi-core | 1,853 | 1,269 | +46.0% |
| Cores | 18 (6P+12E) | 16 (8P+8E) | — |
| TDP (base W) | 125 | 45 | — |
| PassMark CPU Mark | 51,397 | 33,015 | +55.7% |
| Street price (USD) | $220 | $606 | -63.7% |
- Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is faster than Core i9 12900HX by 24.1% in single-core and faster by 46.0% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024).
- Core i9 12900HX draws less power (45W vs 125W base TDP).
Verdict: Core Ultra 5 250K Plus or Core i9 12900HX?
Core Ultra 5 250K Plus advantages
- Single-core speed (+19%)
- Multi-core speed (+32%)
- Affordability (+64%)
Core i9 12900HX advantages
- Power efficiency (+64%)
Which should you choose?
- Choose the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus if you mainly game or want snappy everyday responsiveness.
- Choose the Core i9 12900HX if you want a cooler, quieter and more power-efficient build.
- Choose the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus if you render video, compile code or run heavy multitasking.
Value for money
Core Ultra 5 250K Plus delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
Core Ultra 5 250K Plus vs Core i9 12900HX: which should you choose?
Core Ultra 5 250K Plus — 18-core Intel processor (6P+12E) scoring 139 single-core and 1853 multi-core in Cinebench 2024, with a 125 W TDP and 30 MB L3 cache.
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 5 250K Plus vs Core i9 12900HX: Core Ultra 5 250K Plus leads in multi-core performance. Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is faster than Core i9 12900HX by 24.1% in single-core and faster by 46.0% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024). Core i9 12900HX draws less power (45W vs 125W base TDP).
Gaming and single-threaded work
Games and everyday responsiveness lean on single-core speed. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus leads there with a single-core score of 139 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 5 250K Plus is stronger, posting 1,853 multi-core against 1,269 in Cinebench 2024. Its 18 cores (6 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 125 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 Ultra 5 250K Plus better than the Core i9 12900HX?
Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is the clearly stronger overall choice, winning most of the dimensions that matter. Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is faster than Core i9 12900HX by 24.1% in single-core and faster by 46.0% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024).
What is the main difference between the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus and the Core i9 12900HX?
Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is faster than Core i9 12900HX by 24.1% in single-core and faster by 46.0% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024). Core i9 12900HX draws less power (45W vs 125W base TDP).
Which is better value?
Core Ultra 5 250K Plus delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
Which should I choose?
Choose the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus if you mainly game or want snappy everyday responsiveness. Choose the Core i9 12900HX if you want a cooler, quieter and more power-efficient build.
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.