Core Ultra 7 270K Plus vs Core i9 12950HX
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Core Ultra 7 270K Plus | Core i9 12950HX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cinebench 2024 single-core | 145 | 118 | +22.9% |
| Cinebench 2024 multi-core | 2,482 | 1,282 | +93.6% |
| Cores | 24 (8P+16E) | 16 (8P+8E) | — |
| TDP (base W) | 125 | 45 | — |
| PassMark CPU Mark | 68,609 | 31,052 | +120.9% |
| Street price (USD) | $350 | $590 | -40.7% |
- Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is faster than Core i9 12950HX by 22.9% in single-core and faster by 93.6% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024).
- Core i9 12950HX draws less power (45W vs 125W base TDP).
Verdict: Core Ultra 7 270K Plus or Core i9 12950HX?
Core Ultra 7 270K Plus advantages
- Single-core speed (+19%)
- Multi-core speed (+48%)
- Affordability (+41%)
Core i9 12950HX advantages
- Power efficiency (+64%)
Which should you choose?
- Choose the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus if you mainly game or want snappy everyday responsiveness.
- Choose the Core i9 12950HX if you want a cooler, quieter and more power-efficient build.
- Choose the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus if you render video, compile code or run heavy multitasking.
Value for money
Core Ultra 7 270K Plus delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
Core Ultra 7 270K Plus vs Core i9 12950HX: which should you choose?
Core Ultra 7 270K Plus — 24-core Intel processor (8P+16E) scoring 145 single-core and 2482 multi-core in Cinebench 2024, with a 125 W TDP and 36 MB L3 cache.
Core i9 12950HX — 16-core Intel processor (8P+8E) scoring 118 single-core and 1282 multi-core in Cinebench 2024, with a 45 W TDP.
Core Ultra 7 270K Plus vs Core i9 12950HX: Core Ultra 7 270K Plus leads in multi-core performance. Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is faster than Core i9 12950HX by 22.9% in single-core and faster by 93.6% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024). Core i9 12950HX 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 7 270K Plus leads there with a single-core score of 145 versus 118, 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 270K Plus is stronger, posting 2,482 multi-core against 1,282 in Cinebench 2024. Its 24 cores (8 performance + 16 efficiency) give it real headroom for heavy parallel jobs.
Power and platform
The Core i9 12950HX 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 7 270K Plus better than the Core i9 12950HX?
Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is the clearly stronger overall choice, winning most of the dimensions that matter. Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is faster than Core i9 12950HX by 22.9% in single-core and faster by 93.6% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024).
What is the main difference between the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus and the Core i9 12950HX?
Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is faster than Core i9 12950HX by 22.9% in single-core and faster by 93.6% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024). Core i9 12950HX draws less power (45W vs 125W base TDP).
Which is better value?
Core Ultra 7 270K 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 7 270K Plus if you mainly game or want snappy everyday responsiveness. Choose the Core i9 12950HX 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.