Intel Core 5 213PTE vs Intel Core i5-12600HX Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear split: the Intel Core 5 213PTE wins 13 of the 17 recorded comparisons, while the Intel Core i5-12600HX takes 4. The overall average benchmark score favors the Core 5 213PTE, but only narrowly: 32924 versus 33375 for the i5-12600HX. That 1.4% gap is far smaller than the individual test deltas suggest, because the older mobile part dominates in several specialized workloads.

Starting with the Core 5 213PTE's wins, the multithreaded Cinebench tests are consistent. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Core 5 213PTE scores 21751 against 20714, a 4.8% advantage. The same 4.8% delta appears in R15 multicore (2192 vs 2087) and R20 multicore (9135 vs 8699). Single-core Cinebench results are similar: R23 single-core shows 3070 vs 2924, again a 4.8% lead. The R15 and R20 single-core tests show 4.9% and 4.7% leads respectively. These are modest but consistent margins across all three Cinebench versions.

The PassMark suite reveals where the Core 5 213PTE pulls ahead decisively. PassMark physics shows a 2199 score against 1504, a massive 31.6% advantage. PassMark find prime numbers delivers the largest single delta: 157 vs 83, a 47.1% lead for the Core 5 213PTE. Floating point math favors the newer part at 71722 vs 58378, an 18.6% edge. Integer math follows at 93109 vs 79339, a 14.8% margin. PassMark multithread is closer at 25590 vs 24681, a 3.6% lead, and single-thread shows 3718 vs 3623, a 2.6% advantage.

The Intel Core i5-12600HX wins are concentrated in data-heavy and encryption tasks. PassMark data encryption shows the largest margin: 17506 vs 14413, a 21.5% lead. Data compression follows at 292256 vs 261083, an 11.9% advantage. Random string sorting goes to the i5-12600HX at 33110 vs 30106, a 10% margin. Extended instructions round out the wins at 17328 vs 16146, a 7.3% edge.

The pattern is instructive. The Core 5 213PTE dominates compute-heavy integer, physics, and prime-number workloads, while the i5-12600HX retains clear superiority in compression, encryption, and sorting tasks. The Cinebench suite, which is heavily threaded and render-focused, consistently favors the Core 5 213PTE by around 5%. The average benchmark score is nearly identical because the i5-12600HX's compression and encryption wins are large in percentage terms, but the Core 5 213PTE wins in more tests overall.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design generations and target different market segments. The Intel Core i5-12600HX is a mobile part from the Alder Lake-HX family, released in May 2022. The Intel Core 5 213PTE is a desktop processor based on Bartlett Lake, with a release date of March 2026. Both use a 10 nm process node from Intel, but the architectures diverge significantly.

Core counts differ: the i5-12600HX has 12 cores and 16 threads, while the Core 5 213PTE has 8 cores and 16 threads. Both support simultaneous multithreading, but the i5-12600HX uses a hybrid layout typical of Alder Lake, while the Core 5 213PTE's Bartlett Lake design is tuned differently. The i5-12600HX has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The Core 5 213PTE starts lower at 2.10 GHz but boosts higher to 5.20 GHz. That higher boost clock explains its single-thread and lightly threaded advantages.

Cache hierarchies also differ. Both share 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core on the i5-12600HX, versus 2 MB per core on the Core 5 213PTE. The L3 cache is 18 MB shared on the i5-12600HX, while the Core 5 213PTE has 24 MB shared. The larger L2 and L3 caches on the Core 5 213PTE contribute to its stronger integer and physics performance.

Memory support is similar: both support DDR4 and DDR5, both are dual-channel, and both support ECC memory. The Core 5 213PTE has a recorded memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s; the i5-12600HX does not have a bandwidth figure recorded. PCIe support differs: the i5-12600HX offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the Core 5 213PTE offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i5-12600HX carries UHD Graphics 770, while the Core 5 213PTE has UHD Graphics 730. The i5-12600HX is socketed on Intel BGA 1964, indicating a soldered mobile design, while the Core 5 213PTE uses Intel Socket 1700, a desktop platform. Thermal design power reflects this: the i5-12600HX is rated at 55 W, the Core 5 213PTE at 45 W. The i5-12600HX has an unlocked multiplier; the Core 5 213PTE is locked.

The die size is recorded only for the i5-12600HX at 215 mm². The Core 5 213PTE's die size is not recorded. The i5-12600HX has the part number SRLGJ, while the Core 5 213PTE is SA4QM. The i5-12600HX launched with an MSRP of $284, the Core 5 213PTE with $221.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core 5 213PTE wins every single-core comparison. In Cinebench R23 single-core it scores 3070 against 2924 for the i5-12600HX, a 4.8% margin. PassMark single-thread shows 3718 vs 3623, a 2.6% lead.

Q: How do the two compare in multi-threaded rendering workloads?

A: The Core 5 213PTE leads across all Cinebench multicore tests. R23 multicore shows 21751 vs 20714, R20 multicore shows 9135 vs 8699, and R15 multicore shows 2192 vs 2087. Each margin is approximately 4.8%.

Q: Where does the i5-12600HX outperform the Core 5 213PTE?

A: The i5-12600HX wins in data compression (292256 vs 261083, an 11.9% lead), data encryption (17506 vs 14413, a 21.5% lead), random string sorting (33110 vs 30106, a 10% lead), and extended instructions (17328 vs 16146, a 7.3% lead).

Q: What is the largest single benchmark gap between the two?

A: PassMark find prime numbers shows the biggest delta. The Core 5 213PTE scores 157, the i5-12600HX scores 83, a 47.1% advantage for the Core 5 213PTE.

Q: Do the processors differ in cache configuration?

A: Yes. Both have 80 KB L1 per core, but the i5-12600HX has 1.25 MB L2 per core and 18 MB shared L3. The Core 5 213PTE has 2 MB L2 per core and 24 MB shared L3.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Core 5 213PTE boosts to 5.20 GHz, while the i5-12600HX boosts to 4.60 GHz. The Core 5 213PTE also has a lower base clock at 2.10 GHz versus 2.50 GHz.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core 5 213PTE is the stronger all-around processor for compute-heavy tasks. It wins 13 of 17 benchmarks, including all Cinebench tests, all PassMark math tests, physics, and multithread workloads. Its 47.1% lead in prime-number finding and 31.6% lead in physics are the standout margins. For users running rendering, scientific computation, or integer-heavy applications, the Core 5 213PTE is the clear choice based on these measurements.

The Intel Core i5-12600HX retains specific advantages that matter for certain workloads. Its 21.5% lead in data encryption and 11.9% lead in data compression suggest it is better suited for archival, database, and security-related tasks. Random string sorting at 10% ahead and extended instructions at 7.3% ahead reinforce that pattern. The i5-12600HX also has a slightly higher average benchmark score (33375 vs 32924), driven by those large wins in fewer tests.

Market segment matters in interpretation. The i5-12600HX is a mobile processor on BGA 1964 with a 55 W TDP, designed for laptops and high-performance mobile workstations. The Core 5 213PTE is a desktop part on Socket 1700 with a 45 W TDP. The desktop part's higher boost clock and larger caches translate into better raw compute performance, while the mobile part's design emphasizes different workload strengths.

The i5-12600HX also offers more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) and an unlocked multiplier, which is notable for overclocking on supported platforms. The Core 5 213PTE is locked. The i5-12600HX has a larger die at 215 mm², while the Core 5 213PTE's die size is not recorded.

Neither processor dominates completely. The Core 5 213PTE wins the majority of tests and the more mainstream workloads, but the i5-12600HX wins in specialized data tasks. The launch MSRP is $284 for the i5-12600HX and $221 for the Core 5 213PTE, but the performance profile should guide selection over any price consideration.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-12600HX | Intel Core 5 213PTE |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 12 | 8 |

| Threads | 16 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.60 GHz | 5.20 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1964 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Codename | Alder Lake-HX | Bartlett Lake |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 18 MB (shared) | 24 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 76.8 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2022-05-09 | 2026-03-08 |

| Launch MSRP | $284 | $221 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | SRLGJ | SA4QM |

| Die Size | 215 mm² | Not recorded |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 213PTE wins in all Cinebench rendering tests, all PassMark math workloads (floating point, integer, prime numbers), physics simulation, and multithread throughput. Its 5.20 GHz boost clock and larger L2 and L3 caches drive these results. Users prioritizing CPU-intensive desktop compute, whether for rendering, physics engines, or general number crunching, should look to the Core 5 213PTE based on the recorded data.

The Intel Core i5-12600HX wins in data compression, data encryption, random string sorting, and extended instruction workloads. These are tasks that benefit from its 12-core hybrid configuration and its specific architecture. Users handling encrypted storage, compressed archives, or database sorting operations may find the i5-12600HX delivers better throughput despite its lower boost clock. Its higher TDP of 55 W and 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes also make it suitable for mobile platforms requiring more expansion capability.

The overall benchmark averages are nearly identical, with the i5-12600HX at 33375 and the Core 5 213PTE at 32924. Both sit at the 83rd percentile of all CPUs. The choice depends entirely on workload profile. The Core 5 213PTE offers broader wins across more tests, while the i5-12600HX offers concentrated superiority in data-centric tasks. The data does not crown a single winner; it maps each processor to its strengths.