Intel Core 5 220H vs Intel Core i5-12600 Comparison
Intel Core 5 220H
Core i5-12600
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core 5 220H vs Intel Core i5-12600
The Intel Core i5-12600 and Intel Core 5 220H are both 10 nm Intel parts that land within 0.3% of each other in average benchmark score, yet they are built for entirely different platforms. The i5-12600 is a desktop Alder Lake-S processor on Socket 1700, while the Core 5 220H is a mobile Raptor Lake-H chip on BGA 1744. Despite the 220H’s 12-core count versus the 12600’s 6 cores, the data shows a split decision: the 220H wins 10 of 17 head-to-head tests, but the 12600 takes the most dramatic victories, including a 61.7% blowout in Cinebench R23 multi-core.
Where Each One Wins
The Core 5 220H dominates in workloads that favor sustained multi-threaded throughput and integer-heavy operations. It wins Cinebench R15 multi-core (1835 vs 1824), R20 multi-core (7812 vs 7604), and PassMark multi-thread (21884 vs 21399). The 220H also leads in PassMark integer math by 10.1% (73555 vs 66123), physics by 7.6% (1478 vs 1365), and random string sorting by 9.2% (28438 vs 25832). Data encryption is its largest margin at 14% (15216 vs 13084). These results point to a processor that handles parallel integer workloads and memory-sorting tasks with more authority.
The i5-12600, conversely, wins where single-core speed and certain specialized instruction sets matter. Its PassMark single-thread score is 3823 versus 3405, a 12.3% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the 12600 leads by 37.9% (2556 vs 1853), and in R23 multi-core it leads by a massive 61.7% (18105 vs 11198). Extended instructions also favor the 12600 by 16.3% (17027 vs 14642), and data compression is narrowly ahead at 1.7% (252160 vs 247921). The 12600 wins 7 of the 17 tests, but its wins are often by larger margins than the 220H’s.
Architecture Differences
The two chips share the same 10 nm process node and Intel foundry, but their core architectures and platform designs diverge significantly. The i5-12600 uses Alder Lake-S with 6 cores and 12 threads, while the 220H uses Raptor Lake-H with 12 cores and 16 threads. The 220H’s higher core count does not translate into universal multi-core dominance, as the 12600’s Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 18105 versus 11198 demonstrates.
Cache layouts differ in L2 only: the 12600 has 1.25 MB per core, while the 220H has 2 MB per core. Both share 18 MB of L3 and 80 KB of L1 per core. The 12600 has a base clock of 3.30 GHz and boost of 4.80 GHz, while the 220H runs at 2.70 GHz base and 4.90 GHz boost. TDP is 65 W for the desktop part versus 45 W for the mobile chip.
Platform connectivity is a key split. The 12600 uses Intel Socket 1700 with PCIe Gen 5, 16 lanes (CPU only), while the 220H uses Intel BGA 1744 with PCIe Gen 5, 8 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ: the 12600 has UHD Graphics 770, and the 220H has Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel mode, and neither supports ECC. The 220H was released on 2024-12-17, while the 12600’s release date is not listed.
The Verdict
The data suggests that the Intel Core 5 220H is the better choice for integer-heavy parallel workloads, encryption, physics, and general multi-threaded productivity. Its wins in PassMark multi-thread, integer math, physics, and random string sorting, combined with a 14% encryption advantage, make it suitable for tasks like data processing, sorting, and cryptographic operations. The 220H also leads in Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core, indicating consistent performance across older render tests.
The Intel Core i5-12600 is the pick for single-thread performance and specific rendering workloads. Its 12.3% PassMark single-thread lead and 37.9% Cinebench R23 single-core advantage are decisive. More importantly, the 61.7% Cinebench R23 multi-core win suggests that in modern render engines, the 12600’s architecture extracts far more efficiency from its 6 cores and 12 threads than the 220H’s 12 cores and 16 threads. Extended instructions and data compression also favor the desktop chip.
For a desktop user prioritizing rendering and single-thread responsiveness, the i5-12600 is clearly superior. For a mobile user needing multi-threaded integer performance and encryption throughput, the Core 5 220H is the data-backed choice. The 220H’s lower TDP (45 W vs 65 W) reinforces its mobile positioning.
FAQ
Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?
A: The Intel Core i5-12600 has an average benchmark score of 28646, while the Intel Core 5 220H scores 28574. The 12600 is 0.3% ahead, and both sit at the 80th percentile versus all CPUs.
Q: How do their core and thread counts compare?
A: The i5-12600 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Core 5 220H has 12 cores and 16 threads.
Q: Which CPU wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core, and by how much?
A: The i5-12600 wins with a score of 18105 versus the 220H’s 11198, a 61.7% advantage.
Q: What is the biggest single benchmark win for the Core 5 220H?
A: The 220H’s largest win is in PassMark data encryption, where it scores 15216 versus the 12600’s 13084, a 14% margin.
Q: Do both CPUs support the same memory types?
A: Yes, both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel mode, and neither supports ECC memory.
Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?
A: The i5-12600 has a TDP of 65 W, while the Core 5 220H has a TDP of 45 W.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The most striking result is Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the i5-12600 scores 18105 against the 220H’s 11198, a 61.7% delta. This single test flips the expected outcome given the 220H’s higher core count. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the 12600 also wins decisively at 2556 versus 1853, a 37.9% margin.
The 220H’s counterattack comes in PassMark integer math, where it leads 73555 to 66123, a 10.1% advantage. Data encryption shows a 14% gap (15216 vs 13084), and random string sorting is 9.2% ahead (28438 vs 25832). Physics favors the 220H by 7.6% (1478 vs 1365), and floating point math is marginally ahead at 1.6% (51671 vs 50838).
In the Cinebench R15 and R20 suites, the 220H wins all four tests, but by small margins: 0.6% in R15 multi-core (1835 vs 1824), 1.9% in R15 single-core (262 vs 257), 2.7% in R20 multi-core (7812 vs 7604), and 2.6% in R20 single-core (1102 vs 1073). PassMark multi-thread goes to the 220H by 2.2% (21884 vs 21399).
The 12600 wins PassMark single-thread by 12.3% (3823 vs 3405), extended instructions by 16.3% (17027 vs 14642), data compression by 1.7% (252160 vs 247921), and find prime numbers by 1.2% (83 vs 82). Overall, the 220H wins 10 tests and the 12600 wins 7, but the 12600’s average margin of victory across its wins is larger due to the R23 results.
Specification Differences
The core counts differ: 6 cores and 12 threads for the 12600 versus 12 cores and 16 threads for the 220H. Base clocks are 3.30 GHz versus 2.70 GHz, while boost clocks are 4.80 GHz versus 4.90 GHz. TDP is 65 W versus 45 W.
Sockets are incompatible: Intel Socket 1700 for the 12600, Intel BGA 1744 for the 220H. Architecture differs: Alder Lake-S versus Raptor Lake-H. Process node is identical at 10 nm, and both use Intel as the foundry. Die size is 163 mm² for the 12600, while the 220H’s die size is not listed.
L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core for the 12600 and 2 MB per core for the 220H; L1 is 80 KB per core for both, and L3 is 18 MB shared for both. PCIe lanes differ: 16 lanes for the 12600 versus 8 lanes for the 220H, both Gen 5 (CPU only). Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 770 versus Iris Xe Graphics 80EU.
Memory support is identical (DDR4, DDR5, dual-channel), and ECC is false for both. The 220H has a listed release date of 2024-12-17; the 12600’s is not provided. Launch MSRP is $233 for the 12600 and $342 for the 220H. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. Part numbers are SRL5T for the 12600 and SRQ6SQ5MM for the 220H.