Intel Core i7-8550U vs Intel Core i9-12900HK
37.7Single-core60.5
23.8Multi-core51
66.4Efficiencyspec-based40.5
25.8iGPU55.7
37.2Platformspec-based59
1 spec wins — Intel Core i7-8550U13 spec wins — Intel Core i9-12900HK
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core i9-12900HK wins this laptop processor face-off, 53.5 to 35.9, pulling ahead mainly in iGPU (+30) and multi-core (+27). Intel Core i7-8550U still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-8550U
- 67% lower Base TDP: 15 W vs 45 W
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i9-12900HK
- Stronger single-core score: 61 vs 38
- Stronger multi-core score: 51 vs 24
- Stronger iGPU score: 56 vs 26
- 504% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 17,600 vs 2,914
- 360% higher Max TDP: 115 W vs 25 W
General
| Spec | Intel Core i7-8550U | Intel Core i9-12900HK |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2017 | 2022 |
| Process | 14 nm | 10 nm+29% |
| Base TDP | 15 W+67% | 45 W |
| Max TDP | 25 W | 115 W+360% |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Intel Core i7-8550U | Intel Core i9-12900HK |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 4 | 14+250% |
| Performance cores | — | 6 |
| Efficiency cores | — | 8 |
| Threads | 8 | 20+150% |
| Base clock | 1.8 GHz | 2.5 GHz+39% |
| Boost clock | 4 GHz | 5 GHz+25% |
| L3 cache | 8 MB | 24 MB+200% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core i7-8550U | Intel Core i9-12900HK |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Intel UHD Graphics 620 | Intel Iris Xe (96 EU) |
| iGPU clock | 1,150 MHz | 1,450 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core i7-8550U | Intel Core i9-12900HK |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR4-2400 / LPDDR3-2133 | DDR5-4800 / LPDDR5-5200 / DDR4-3200 |
| Max memory | 32 GB | 64 GB+100% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core i7-8550U | Intel Core i9-12900HK |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | — | 2,450Bottom 48% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | — | 12,700Top 40% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,021Bottom 10% | 1,810+77%Top 36% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 2,914Bottom 6% | 17,600+504%Top 24% |
| PassMark | 5,794Bottom 8% | 24,954+331%Top 34% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | 389Bottom 8% | 1,496+285%Top 42% |
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