Intel Core 7 150U vs Intel Core i5-12450H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a genuinely split decision between the Intel Core 7 150U and the Intel Core i5-12450H. The head-to-head results show 8 wins for the Core 7 150U and 9 for the i5-12450H, but the margins tell a more nuanced story than the raw win count suggests.

The Core 7 150U dominates in single-threaded and lightly-threaded workloads. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it posts a score of 1875.5 against 1661 for the i5-12450H, a 12.9% advantage. That gap is mirrored in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the 150U leads 254 to 238, a 6.7% margin. PassMark single-thread confirms the pattern at 3508 versus 3306, a 6.1% edge. The 150U also wins the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, scoring 1505.5 against 1350, an 11.5% lead that reflects its efficiency at lower thread counts.

The i5-12450H fights back decisively in most multi-threaded and throughput-oriented benchmarks. PassMark extended instructions is the largest gap: the i5-12450H scores 11992 versus 8748 for the 150U, a 27.1% blowout. Data compression is nearly as lopsided, with the i5-12450H at 195132 versus 158622, an 18.7% advantage. Floating-point math also goes strongly to the i5-12450H, 40568 versus 34405, a 15.2% margin. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows the i5-12450H ahead at 5671 versus 5248, a 7.5% lead, and PassMark multi-thread follows at 16265 versus 14700, a 9.6% edge.

The Cinebench R23 multi-core result is the closest of the entire comparison. The 150U edges out the i5-12450H by just 60.5 points (8883 versus 8822.5), a 0.7% margin that is nearly a statistical tie. This contrast with the R20 result — where the i5-12450H wins by 7.5% — suggests workload-specific scaling differences rather than a clear multi-core superiority for either part.

The 150U takes two notable wins in PassMark physics and prime-number finding. Physics scores 1012 versus 883, a 14.6% advantage, while finding prime numbers shows 58 versus 46, a 26.1% edge. The i5-12450H counters with wins in integer math (54782 versus 51057, 6.8%), data encryption (10832 versus 10025, 7.5%), and random string sorting (20838 versus 18269, 12.3%).

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core 7 150U. It wins every single-thread benchmark in the comparison, with its largest margin being 12.9% in Cinebench R23 single-core (1875.5 versus 1661) and its smallest being 6.1% in PassMark single-thread (3508 versus 3306).

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-12450H always faster in multi-core workloads?

A: No. The i5-12450H wins Cinebench R20 multi-core by 7.5% and PassMark multi-thread by 9.6%, but the Core 7 150U wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 11.5% and Cinebench R23 multi-core by 0.7%. The result depends heavily on the benchmark used.

Q: How do the two processors compare in integrated graphics?

A: The Core 7 150U features Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units, while the i5-12450H uses UHD Graphics. The benchmark pack does not include graphics performance tests, so no direct performance comparison is available from the data.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two chips?

A: PassMark extended instructions shows the largest divergence, with the i5-12450H scoring 11992 versus 8748 for the 150U, a 27.1% difference. The second-largest gap is PassMark data compression at 18.7% in favor of the i5-12450H.

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Core 7 150U has 10 cores, while the i5-12450H has 8 cores. Both processors support 12 threads, meaning the 150U achieves its thread count with fewer threads per core.

Q: Do both processors use the same socket?

A: Yes, both use Intel BGA 1744, which means they are pin-compatible from a socket perspective. However, they are based on different architectures — Raptor Lake for the 150U and Alder Lake for the i5-12450H.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent adjacent Intel generations but implement different design philosophies. The Core 7 150U is built on Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-U variant, while the i5-12450H uses Alder Lake, specifically the Alder Lake-H variant. Both are manufactured on Intel's 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry, so the underlying process technology is identical.

Core counts differ meaningfully: the 150U packs 10 cores, but the i5-12450H has only 8. Both parts present 12 threads to the operating system, which means the 150U relies more heavily on cores that do not add additional threads, while the i5-12450H achieves the same thread count with fewer physical cores. This structural difference explains some of the benchmark divergence — the 150U's extra two cores help in certain multi-threaded tests like Cinebench R15, while the i5-12450H's core arrangement appears better optimized for other workloads.

Cache hierarchies are largely identical. Both processors feature 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The die size differs — the i5-12450H has a reported die size of 217 mm², while the 150U's die size is not listed in the data.

The integrated graphics solutions diverge significantly. The 150U ships with Iris Xe Graphics featuring 96 execution units, a substantial configuration. The i5-12450H uses the more basic UHD Graphics. This difference could matter for systems without discrete graphics, though the benchmark pack contains no graphics tests to quantify the performance delta.

PCIe connectivity is another differentiator. The 150U provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU, while the i5-12450H provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes. The i5-12450H's larger lane count suggests greater bandwidth for attached devices, which could affect systems with multiple NVMe drives or other PCIe peripherals.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets reveal several clear differences between the two parts beyond their benchmark scores. The base clock rates are notably different: the 150U runs at 1.80 GHz, while the i5-12450H is listed at 2000.00 MHz (2.00 GHz). The boost clocks reverse this order — the 150U boosts to 5.40 GHz, while the i5-12450H boosts to 4.40 GHz. The 150U's higher boost clock aligns with its single-core benchmark wins.

Thermal design power differs substantially. The 150U is rated at 15W TDP, while the i5-12450H is rated at 45W TDP. This threefold difference in power envelope explains why the i5-12450H can sustain higher throughput in some multi-threaded workloads, but it also means the 150U is likely better suited to thinner, fanless, or passively-cooled chassis.

Memory support is identical: both support DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel configuration. Neither supports ECC memory. The PCIe implementation differs, as noted above, with the 150U offering 8 Gen 4 lanes and the i5-12450H offering 20 Gen 4 lanes.

The release dates are not directly comparable. The 150U has a listed release date of January 2024, while the i5-12450H has no release date in the data. Both processors are currently active in production. The 150U carries part number SRMYP, while the i5-12450H carries SRLCX.

Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not supported on either part. Neither has a launch MSRP listed in the data.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture for different use cases. The Intel Core 7 150U is the superior choice for single-threaded performance. Its 12.9% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 6.1% lead in PassMark single-thread make it the better pick for applications that rely on one or two fast threads. Its 15W TDP also signals suitability for power-constrained designs.

The Intel Core i5-12450H is the better performer in most throughput-heavy workloads. Its 27.1% lead in extended instructions and 18.7% lead in data compression indicate a meaningful advantage for compute-heavy tasks like code compilation, scientific simulation, or data processing. The 45W TDP suggests it needs more robust cooling but delivers more sustained performance under load.

The Cinebench R23 multi-core result — a 0.7% margin favoring the 150U — complicates any simple narrative. The two chips are effectively tied in that benchmark, despite the i5-12450H winning R20 multi-core by 7.5%. This suggests that the i5-12450H's advantage is workload-specific rather than universal.

For buyers who prioritize responsiveness in everyday tasks, single-threaded applications, or power efficiency, the Core 7 150U is the data-backed choice. For users who push sustained multi-threaded workloads, the i5-12450H delivers higher throughput in most — but not all — of those scenarios. The overall average benchmark scores are nearly identical: the 150U averages 17395, while the i5-12450H averages 17239, a difference of less than 1%. Both processors rank in the 71st percentile of all CPUs.

The deciding factor should be the specific workload mix. The 150U wins 8 benchmarks, the i5-12450H wins 9, and the margins vary widely. There is no universal winner here — only the right tool for the intended job.