Which Intel Core i9 Processor is the Best: Ultimate mobile gaming experience on a laptop

Samuel TanComputer Components, Processors 0

For the ultimate mobile gaming experience, choose a gaming laptop powered by Intel Core i9 processor. But with so many different generations and variations (H, HK, HX) in the market right now, choosing the right Intel Core i9 can be a daunting task. Which is the best 12th, 11th, 10th generation Intel Core i9 processors?

While Intel may have a long list of Intel Core i9 processors, we only consider processors that are currently powering the gaming laptops in the market today.

Table of Contents

Intel Core i9 Processors over the generations

As a rule of thumb, the newer the processor, the faster it is. There are some exceptions, but not in the case of Intel Core i9s. As you can see from the tables below, newer Alder Lake processors (12th generation) also come with more cores with a combination of performance and efficient cores running at different base and turbo speeds. They also support more processing threads compared to 10th and 11th generation parts. This jacks up the power draw making them run hotter, which isn’t always a good thing for mobile processors. However, gamers tend to overlook this in favour of frame rates and workstation level performance.

12th Generation Intel Core i9 Processors

12th Generation Intel Core i9	Cores/Threads	Perf/Effi	Max Turbo	Cache	Typ TDP	TDP Down/Up
Intel Core i9-12950HX Processor	16C/24T	8P/8E	5.00GHz	30MB	55W	45W/157W
Intel Core i9-12900HX Processor	16C/24T	8P/8E	5.00GHz	30MB	55W	45W/157W
Intel Core i9-12900HK Processor	14C/20T	6P/8E	5.00GHz	20MB	45W	35W/115W
Intel Core i9-12900H Processor	14C/20T	6P/8E	5.00GHz	20MB	45W	35W/115W

11th Generation Intel Core i9 Processor

11th Generation Intel Core i9	Cores/Threads	Perf/Effi	Max Turbo	Cache	Typ TDP	TDP Down/Up
Intel Core i9-11980HK Processor	8C/16T	NA	5.00GHz	24MB	NA	45W/65W
Intel Core i9-11950H Processor	8C/16T	NA	5.00GHz	24MB	NA	35W/45W
Intel Core i9-11900H Processor	8C/16T	NA	4.90GHz	24MB	NA	35W/45W

10th Generation Intel Core i9 Processor

10th Generation Intel Core i9	Cores/Threads	Perf/Effi	Max Turbo	Cache	Typ TDP	TDP Down/Up
Intel Core i9-10980HK Processor	8C/16T	NA	5.30GHz	16MB	NA	45W/65W
Intel Core i9-10885H Processor	8C/16T	NA	5.30GHz	16MB	NA	35W/45W

There is not a huge difference between between the 10th and 11th generation Intel Core i9 processors. These processors come with 8 cores and supports 16 threads. Even the maximum turbo speeds hover around 5GHz. Same goes to the power consumption with Thermal Design Power TDP at either 35W or 45W pushed up to 45W or 65W at maximum frequencies. Another factor that influences a processor’s performance is its on board cache. 10th and 11th generation processors are kitted with 16MB and 24MB cache memory respectively. Depending on they of 12th generation processor, you get either 20MB or 30MB cache memory.

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Intel Core i9 Processors in 2022/23

To narrow down our list and consider only processors relevant to today’s market, we look at the following:

Processor	Cores/Threads	Perf/Effi	Max Turbo	Cache	Typ TDP	TDP Down/Up
Intel Core i9-12900HX Processor	16C/24T	8P/8E	5.00GHz	30MB	55W	45W/157W
Intel Core i9-12900HK Processor	14C/20T	6P/8E	5.00GHz	20MB	45W	35W/115W
Intel Core i9-12900H Processor	14C/20T	6P/8E	5.00GHz	20MB	45W	35W/115W
Intel Core i9-11900H Processor	8C/16T	NA	4.90GHz	24MB	NA	35W/45W
Intel Core i9-10980HK Processor	8C/16T	NA	5.30GHz	16MB	NA	45W/65W

Let’s take a closer look:

Intel Core i9-12900HX Processor – Best in Class

This 12th generation Intel Core i9-12900HX has the highest benchmark rating on our list. It offers over double (2.23 times) the performance compared to Intel Core i9-10885H thanks to its 16 cores that pushes 24 threads, combination of performance cores (8) and efficient cores (8), high maximum turbo frequency of 5.00GHz and a huge 30MB smart cache. You can’t go wrong with this processor. However, it does run hot with a maximum TDP of 157W. Be prepared to invest in some external cooling for your laptop.

Laptops powered by Intel Core i9-12900HX: Lenovo Legion 7i 16

Processor	Cores/Threads	Perf/Effi	Max Turbo	Cache	Typ TDP	TDP Down/Up	Ave CPU Mark	Single Thread
Intel Core i9-12900HX Processor	16C/24T	8P/8E	5.00GHz	30MB	55W	45W/157W	34689	4004

Intel Core i9-12900HK Processor

Next on our list is the 12th generation Intel Core i9-12900HK. Not to be confused with the HX part above, this processor has 2 fewer cores. Unfortunately, the two missing cores are performance cores, leaving you with 6 performance cores and 8 efficient cores altogether. It also has a third less cache, at 20MB, while maintaining the same maximum turbo clock speed of 5.00GHz. All being said, it dun run cooler at 35W TDP down and 115W TDP up. When compared to our baseline processor, the Intel Core i9-10885H, it outperforms it with a huge 89% margin.

Laptops powered by Intel Core i9-12900HK: Dell XPS 15 9520, Dell XPS 17 9720, Alienware x17 R2,

Processor	Cores/Threads	Perf/Effi	Max Turbo	Cache	Typ TDP	TDP Down/Up	Ave CPU Mark	Single Thread
Intel Core i9-12900HK Processor	14C/20T	6P/8E	5.00GHz	20MB	45W	35W/115W	29443	3773

Intel Core i9-12900H Processor

This is by far the most common Intel Core i9 processor from the 12th generation. The Intel Core i9-12900H is found on gaming and content creation laptops from ASUS, MSI, ACER and others. Performance wise, it only lags behind its HK counterpart above by 1.9% which is noting in the grand scheme of things. You won’t notice the difference. Given the number of options available, you will be spoilt for choice. For comparison, the Intel Core i9-12900H is 85.6% faster than the baseline.

The best execution of powerful portable is the Huawei Matebook 16s. The 16-inch laptop with 2.5K resolution display comes with a choice of H-series processor. Topping the list is the Intel Core i9-12900H. However, for the sake of keeping it lightweight and slim, it relies on the embedded graphics, the Intel Iris Xe.

Laptops powered by Intel Core i9-12900H: ASUS Zenbook Pro 14 Duo, MSI Crosshair 17, MSI Vector GP66 15.6, Acer Predator Triton 500SE 16, MSI Crosshair 15 Rainbow Six Extraction Edition 15.6, ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16, ASUS ROG STIX SCAR 15, Huawei MateBook 16s.

Processor	Cores/Threads	Perf/Effi	Max Turbo	Cache	Typ TDP	TDP Down/Up	Ave CPU Mark	Single Thread
Intel Core i9-12900H Processor	14C/20T	6P/8E	5.00GHz	20MB	45W	35W/115W	28870	3882

Intel Core i9-11980HK Processor – Best in Class

The Intel Core i9-11980HK is the fastest 11th generation Intel Core i9 processor. Relying on the 8-cores in the die, it manages to outperform our baseline as much as 50.6%. When you compare it to the fastest processor on our list, the Intel Core i9-12900HX above, it is about 32.5% slower. Still, its performance is nothing to be balked at. If you can get your hands on a reasonably price setup with the right GPU, you are on to a winner.

Laptops powered by Intel Core i9-11980HK: Alienware x17 R1

Processor	Cores/Threads	Perf/Effi	Max Turbo	Cache	Typ TDP	TDP Down/Up	Ave CPU Mark	Single Thread
Intel Core i9-11980HK Processor	8C/16T	NA	5.00GHz	24MB	NA	45W/65W	23429	3320

Intel Core i9-11900H Processor – Most Efficient

This may be the slowest 11th generation Intel Core i9 in our list but it is also the most energy efficient. With a low TDP of 35W and TDP-up of 45W, it not only performs well with the right GPU but can be applied to an ultra portable and ultra slim unit too.

Laptops powered by Intel Core i9-11900H: Acer Nitro 5 15.6

Processor	Cores/Threads	Perf/Effi	Max Turbo	Cache	Typ TDP	TDP Down/Up	Ave CPU Mark	Single Thread
Intel Core i9-11900H Processor	8C/16T	NA	4.90GHz	24MB	NA	35W/45W	21039	3161

Intel Core i9-10980HK Processor

This last CPU from the 10th generation lineage is still knocking around. It is our baseline processor to better understand the performance of 11th and 12th generation processors above. A notable laptop that uses the Intel Core i9-10980HK is the ASUS Zenbook Pro Duo with dual display. The main display is a big 15.6-inch touchscreen with 4K Ultra HD 3840 x 2160p resolution.

Laptops powered by Intel Core i9-10980HK: Asus Zenbook Pro Duo 15.6

Processor	Cores/Threads	Perf/Effi	Max Turbo	Cache	Typ TDP	TDP Down/Up	Ave CPU Mark	Single Thread
Intel Core i9-10980HK Processor	8C/16T	NA	5.30GHz	16MB	NA	45W/65W	16038	2841

Performance Comparison

Below is a table of the average CPU Mark benchmark as submitted by real world users. This gives you a good idea of the processors performance from one generation to the next and also the variants (HX, HK or H) within the generation.

Processor	Ave CPU Mark	Single Thread
Intel Core i9-12950HX Processor	31767	3861
Intel Core i9-12900HX Processor	34689	4004
Intel Core i9-12900HK Processor	29443	3773
Intel Core i9-12900H Processor	28870	3882
Intel Core i9-11980HK Processor	23429	3320
Intel Core i9-11950H Processor	22228	3280
Intel Core i9-11900H Processor	21039	3161
Intel Core i9-10980HK Processor	16038	2841
Intel Core i9-10885H Processor	15557	2795

cpubenchmark.net

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Final Thoughts

Laptops powered by Intel Core i9-12900H are the most common. Performance wise, it up there with the rest of the 12th generation processors. In fact, as we have learnt, it is not far off from the Intel Core i9-12900HK.

If faced with a decision to go with a 11th generation laptop for whatever reason, look for one powered by Intel Core i9-11980HK. The octa-core processor still has loads to offer minus the heat and high power consumption issues.

Some gaming laptops powered by Intel Core i9-10980HK Processor may still be knocking around. We wouldn’t recommend this given that it is not two and soon to be three generations behind.