Intel Core i9-12900HX socket: BGA 1964
The Intel Core i9-12900HX uses the BGA 1964 package, a 45.0 × 37.5 mm grid array that solders to the laptop board. It is a 16-core Alder Lake-HX processor at 55 W, and the soldered chip cannot be replaced.
- Socket
- BGA 1964
- Launched
- May 2022
- Cores and threads
- 16 and 24
- Base power
- 55 W
- Codename
- Alder Lake-HX
- Segment
- Mobile (soldered)
- Family
- Intel Core i9
- Clocks
- 2.3 / 5.0 GHz
Intel Core i9-12900HX specifications
| Cores | 16 (8 Performance-cores and 8 Efficient-cores) |
|---|---|
| Threads | 24 |
| Core architecture | Golden Cove (P-cores) and Gracemont (E-cores) |
| Clocks | 2.3 GHz base, up to 5.0 GHz turbo |
| Cache | 30 MB Intel Smart Cache (L3) |
| Processor base power (TDP) | 55 W |
| Maximum turbo power | 157 W |
| Manufacturing process | Intel 7 |
| Memory support | DDR5 up to 4800 MT/s or DDR4 up to 3200 MT/s, two channels, up to 128 GB |
| PCI Express | 20 lanes from the CPU: PCIe 5.0 x16 plus PCIe 4.0 x4 |
| Integrated graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 770 (32 execution units, up to 1.55 GHz) |
| Multiplier | Unlocked |
| ECC memory | No |
| Package | FCBGA1964 (45.0 × 37.5 mm, soldered) |
Motherboard compatibility
Intel Core i9-12900HX needs a motherboard with a BGA 1964 socket. Chipset by chipset data for this codename is not recorded yet. See the BGA 1964 chipset list and the board maker's CPU support list.
BGA 1964 at a glance
| Type | BGA, 1,964 contacts |
|---|---|
| Package size | n/a |
| Introduced | January 2024 |
| Memory | DDR5-5600 or DDR4-3200, two channels, up to 192 GB |
| Cooler mounting holes | Not applicable (soldered) |
What the Core i9-12900HX is
Intel Core i9-12900HX, launched in May 2022 for BGA 1964, pairs 8 Performance-cores with 8 Efficient-cores for 24 threads. Clocks run 2.3 GHz base with up to 5.0 GHz boost, backed by 30 MB of Smart Cache. The 55 W rating, rising to 157 W in turbo, sets cooling and board choice.
Memory support covers DDR5 up to 4800 MT/s or DDR4 up to 3200 MT/s, two channels, up to 128 GB. Two channels feed the hybrid cores, and boards decide between SODIMM modules and soldered chips. Twenty CPU lanes split as Gen5 x16 plus Gen4 x4 wire discrete graphics and NVMe on gaming boards. Intel UHD Graphics 770 (32 execution units, up to 1.55 GHz) covers displays and video when the discrete GPU idles. Efficient-cores reach up to 3.60 GHz for background threads. The CPU cooler compatibility by socket guide explains mobile board wiring.
Flagship gaming laptops take this 16-core HX part where maximum clocks matter. The 55 W base with up to 157 W turbo needs dual-fan cooling, so buyers weigh noise and weight against turbo headroom. The vPro-managed twin for fleets is Intel Core i9-12950HX on the same package.
Socket and motherboard compatibility
The Core i9-12900HX fits the BGA 1964 soldered package at 45.0 × 37.5 mm. The chip is soldered and cannot be replaced. Laptop makers solder it with cooling for the 55 W band, so configuration happens once at order time.
There is no socketed variant and no board choice beyond the system design. Memory type, display outputs and expansion follow the gaming laptop or mobile workstation design. Systems on the same package range from 8-core i5 to 16-core i9 parts such as Intel Core i5-12450HX, which helps lineup planning across price bands.
Memory, PCIe and cooling
DDR5 up to 4800 MT/s or DDR4 up to 3200 MT/s, two channels, up to 128 GB. Dual-channel fitting stays mandatory for graphics performance, with 2 x 8 GB a common pick for entry machines and 2 x 16 GB for creation and multitasking.
PCIe 5.0 x16 for discrete graphics plus PCIe 4.0 x4 for NVMe come from the CPU, with more lanes from the on-package PCH. Notebook designs add fast board IO through the laptop platform.
Cooling follows the chassis across 55 W base to 157 W turbo with heat pipes sized for sustained 55 W. No boxed cooler exists. Long sessions settle at the sustained power the body can reject, so cooling reviews of the exact model matter for purchase decisions. The 45.0 × 37.5 mm FCBGA1964 package solders down with even pressure across the grid.
Upgrade paths
No CPU upgrade exists on soldered boards for gaming laptops and mobile workstations. The lineup moves from fewer cores through this 16-core part to flagships such as Intel Core i5-12450HX, chosen at purchase with display and memory. Storage and SODIMM memory where fitted are the only later changes for owners who keep the chassis for years.
Beyond this generation the replacement is a whole laptop on newer platforms with faster memory. The LGA, PGA and BGA: CPU package types explained guide explains the soldered tradeoff behind mobile designs.
Frequently asked questions
What socket does the Intel Core i9-12900HX use?
It uses BGA 1964, a soldered grid array. The chip cannot be replaced.
How many cores does the Intel Core i9-12900HX have?
16 cores with 24 threads: 8 Performance-cores plus 8 Efficient-cores, with 30 MB of Smart Cache.
What graphics does the Intel Core i9-12900HX include?
Intel UHD Graphics 770 (32 execution units, up to 1.55 GHz).
What memory does the Intel Core i9-12900HX support?
DDR5, DDR4 and low-power variants over two channels to 64 GB.
What is the TDP of the Intel Core i9-12900HX?
55 W base power with turbo up to 157 W.
Does the Intel Core i9-12900HX support ECC memory?
No ECC support on this SKU.
What is the difference between the Core i9-12900HX and the Core i9-12950HX?
The 12950HX adds ECC memory and vPro management for mobile workstations. This 12900HX is the consumer flagship on the same silicon without those business features.
Sources and verification
- Intel Intel Core i9-12900HX specifications (Intel ARK)
- Intel Intel Core i9-12900HX specs (TechPowerUp CPU database)
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .