HP
HP 290 G9 Pro Tower Desktop i5-12400 32GB RAM 512GB SSD + 1TB HDD
★★★★★
UHDi5-1240032GB RAM512GB SSD1TB HDD
Alder Lake's 6-core i5-12400 with 32GB DDR4 and dual-storage delivers Gen-12 IPC gains and sub-30-second boot times in a Pro Tower chassis.
$699.99*
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jul 14, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.
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Overview
Key Features
【Processor】 The device is equipped with a 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12400 processor, featuring 18 MB cache, 6 cores, 12 threads, and a Turbo speed ranging from 2.50 GHz to 4.40 GHz.
【Premium RAM and Storage】 Enhance multitasking capabilities with 32GB RAM, while enjoying significantly faster performance compared to traditional hard drives with a 512GB PCIe M.2 SSD and an extra 1TB HDD.
【Graphics and DVD】 The system includes an integrated Intel UHD 730 Graphics card and a slim drive with an emergency eject pinhole for reading from and writing to CDs and DVDs.
【Connectivity and Ports】 The system offers Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth combo for connectivity, along with a comprehensive range of ports including HDMI, VGA, RJ-45, and 8 USB ports (4 USB 2.0 and 4 USB 3.2 Gen 1).
【Operating System】 Optimize your computing experience with the Windows 11 Pro, 64-bit operating system, delivering a seamless user interface and language support in US English. The package also includes a , HP 125 wired USB Keyboard in Black, designed with an English (UK) layout, as well as a matching HP 125 wired USB Mouse in Black. Elevate your computing experience with this comprehensive set of accessories.
Specifications
Processor
Intel Core i5-12400 (12th Gen, Alder Lake)
CPU Base / Boost
2.50 GHz / 4.40 GHz
Cores / Threads
6 cores / 12 threads
Cache
18MB Intel Smart Cache
Memory
32GB DDR4
Primary Storage
512GB PCIe M.2 SSD
Secondary Storage
1TB HDD
Graphics
Intel UHD Graphics 730 (integrated)
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro 64-bit
Wireless
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) + Bluetooth
Ports
HDMI, VGA, RJ-45, 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 4x USB 2.0
Optical Drive
Slim DVD drive with emergency eject
Form Factor
Pro Tower
Color
Black
Pros & Cons
👍 Pros
- i5-12400 delivers up to 4.4 GHz boost across 6 cores/12 threads — a generational IPC improvement over 10th and 11th-gen predecessors on the same workload
- 32GB DDR4 RAM at the platform ceiling enables heavy multitasking, virtualization, and large-dataset work without memory pressure
- Dual storage (512GB PCIe SSD + 1TB HDD) separates fast OS/app storage from bulk capacity, a configuration that outperforms single-drive setups at comparable cost
- Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) reduces wireless contention on congested networks compared to 802.11ac adapters
- 8 USB ports (4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 + 4x USB 2.0) cover peripheral density requirements for fully-loaded workstations
👎 Cons
- Intel UHD 730 integrated graphics has no dedicated VRAM — GPU-accelerated workloads (video encoding, CAD rendering, machine learning) are unsupported at a useful performance level
- 32GB DDR4 is the platform RAM ceiling — no upgrade path beyond current configuration
- VGA output is a legacy interface; driving a modern display via VGA requires a DAC adapter and introduces signal quality limitations at higher resolutions
- Pro Tower form factor is larger than micro or SFF alternatives — not ideal for space-constrained deployments
- No Thunderbolt/USB4 on this platform, limiting high-bandwidth peripheral connectivity for power users
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the i5-12400's Alder Lake architecture actually deliver over previous-gen i5s?
The i5-12400 uses Intel's 10nm Enhanced SuperFin (Intel 7) process with a 6-core/12-thread configuration and up to 4.4 GHz single-core boost. Compared to a Haswell or Comet Lake i5, IPC gains are roughly 20–30%, meaning the same workload completes faster at the same clock — not just higher frequency numbers.
What bottleneck does the dual storage configuration (512GB SSD + 1TB HDD) solve?
The PCIe SSD handles OS and application loads — boot and launch times are fast. The 1TB HDD provides bulk capacity for files, archives, and media that don't require low latency. This eliminates the cost-vs-capacity trade-off of single-drive configs without paying for a large NVMe drive.
Does the Intel UHD 730 integrated graphics support dual 4K monitors?
Yes. The UHD 730 supports up to three simultaneous displays via the HDMI and VGA outputs on the rear I/O, and can output at 4K resolution over HDMI. For dual-display 4K productivity workflows (not gaming), integrated graphics is sufficient.
How future-proof is this platform for RAM upgrades?
DDR4 support is well-established, and the 290 G9 is configurable up to 32GB — this unit ships at that ceiling. If you need more RAM beyond 32GB on this platform, you would need a different system; this is the platform's maximum.
Does Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) meaningfully improve network performance over Wi-Fi 5?
In congested network environments (multiple connected devices, apartment buildings), Wi-Fi 6's OFDMA and BSS Coloring features reduce contention and improve sustained throughput. On an uncongested home network, the practical difference is modest. For a wired-adjacent business environment, the RJ-45 port remains the preferred interface.
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