Intel Core 7 240H vs Intel Core i7-12650HX Comparison

The Intel Core 7 240H and Intel Core i7-12650HX are two mobile processors that occupy similar performance tiers but achieve their results through very different designs. The 240H edges out the older i7-12650HX in overall average benchmark score, posting a 31483 average against 31290, a difference of less than one percent. Both chips sit at the 82nd percentile among all CPUs, placing them in the same competitive bracket, yet the head-to-head data reveals a split personality: the 240H dominates in some multi-threaded workloads while the i7-12650HX counters with a massive lead in others.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic single result belongs to the Intel Core i7-12650HX in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 2688 against the 240H’s 1719, a 36% advantage. This is the largest delta in either direction across all tested workloads and indicates that the older Alder Lake design retains a significant edge in lightly-threaded rendering tasks. The i7-12650HX also wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with 19043 versus 15764, a 17.2% margin, showing that its higher core count translates directly into sustained all-core rendering performance, at least in this specific benchmark.

The Intel Core 7 240H answers back in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where it scores 2360 against 1919, a 23% victory. This is a notable reversal, as the newer Raptor Lake Refresh part wins the older Cinebench version while losing the newer R23 iteration by a wide margin. The 240H also takes Cinebench R20 multi-core by 7.1% (8562 vs 7998) and single-core by 7.1% (1208 vs 1128), meaning the two chips trade blows across the three Cinebench generations with no consistent overall winner.

PassMark results further complicate the picture. The 240H wins the overall PassMark multi-thread test with 23975 versus 22573, a 6.2% margin, and dominates PassMark physics with 1723 against 1152, a massive 49.6% lead. The i7-12650HX counters with a narrow 1.7% win in integer math (81810 vs 80396) and a 2.8% win in random string sorting (29692 vs 28866). Data encryption goes to the i7-12650HX by 1.1% (15325 vs 15155), while data compression favors the 240H by 1.9% (271774 vs 266700).

The 240H’s strongest PassMark showings come in prime number finding, where it scores 102 versus 74, a 37.8% advantage, and extended instructions, where it leads 16897 to 15856, a 6.6% margin. Floating point math is nearly tied, with the 240H ahead by just 0.8% (58905 vs 58426). Single-thread PassMark results favor the 240H by 4% (3782 vs 3637). In total, the 240H wins 11 of the 17 head-to-head tests, while the i7-12650HX takes 6.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core 7 240H is built on the Raptor Lake architecture using the Raptor Lake-H codename, while the Intel Core i7-12650HX uses the older Alder Lake architecture with the Alder Lake-HX codename. Both processors are manufactured on Intel’s 10 nm process node, so the process technology itself is identical, but the underlying microarchitectural improvements in Raptor Lake Refresh account for some of the behavioral differences in the benchmark data.

Core counts differ substantially. The 240H has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the i7-12650HX has 14 cores and 20 threads. This four-core, four-thread advantage for the i7-12650HX explains its strong Cinebench R23 multi-core performance, yet it does not translate into universal multi-threaded superiority, as the 240H wins PassMark multi-thread and physics tests. The 240H compensates with a much higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz versus 4.70 GHz for the i7-12650HX, and a base clock of 2.50 GHz compared to the i7-12650HX’s 2000.00 MHz.

Cache configurations also diverge. Both chips share 24 MB of L3 cache, but per-core L2 cache differs: the 240H has 2 MB per core while the i7-12650HX has 1.25 MB per core. L1 cache is identical at 80 KB per core. The i7-12650HX has a larger die size at 215 mm², while the 240H’s die size is not listed. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel mode, and neither supports ECC memory.

The integrated graphics differ significantly. The 240H includes Iris Xe Graphics with 64 execution units, while the i7-12650HX uses UHD Graphics 770. PCIe lanes also differ, with the 240H supporting 8 CPU lanes of Gen 5 PCIe versus 20 lanes for the i7-12650HX. The i7-12650HX has an unlocked multiplier, while the 240H is locked. The i7-12650HX uses the Intel BGA 1964 socket, while the 240H uses Intel BGA 1744.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 7 240H boosts to 5.20 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-12650HX tops out at 4.70 GHz. The 240H also has a higher base clock at 2.50 GHz versus 2000.00 MHz.

Q: Is the Intel Core i7-12650HX always faster in multi-core workloads?

A: No. The i7-12650HX wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 17.2%, but the Intel Core 7 240H wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 23%, Cinebench R20 multi-core by 7.1%, and PassMark multi-thread by 6.2%.

Q: How do the two chips compare in single-threaded performance?

A: It depends on the benchmark. The i7-12650HX leads in Cinebench R15 single-core by 7.8% and Cinebench R23 single-core by 36%, but the 240H wins Cinebench R20 single-core by 7.1% and PassMark single-thread by 4%.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-12650HX has 14 cores and 20 threads, compared to 10 cores and 16 threads for the Intel Core 7 240H.

Q: What are the key cache differences?

A: Both have 24 MB of shared L3 cache and 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The 240H has 2 MB of L2 cache per core, while the i7-12650HX has 1.25 MB per core.

Q: Which chip has a better integrated GPU?

A: The Intel Core 7 240H features Iris Xe Graphics with 64 execution units, while the Intel Core i7-12650HX uses UHD Graphics 770. The 240H’s GPU has a higher execution unit count.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 7 240H | Intel Core i7-12650HX |

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

| Cores | 10 | 14 |

| Threads | 16 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 2000.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.20 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 55 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | Intel BGA 1964 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Alder Lake |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-H | Alder Lake-HX |

| Generation | Core 7 (Raptor Lake Refresh) | Core i7 (Alder Lake-HX) |

| Die Size | Not listed | 215 mm² |

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

| PCIe | Gen 5, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 64EU | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Launch MSRP | $502 | Not listed |

| Part Number | SRQ6TQ5ML | Not listed |

The Verdict

The data does not support a single clear winner across all workloads. The Intel Core 7 240H wins the majority of head-to-head tests, claiming 11 of 17, and leads in PassMark multi-thread, physics, prime number finding, and data compression. Its higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz and larger per-core L2 cache likely contribute to these wins. The 240H also has a lower TDP of 45 W versus 55 W for the i7-12650HX, making it the more power-efficient choice on paper.

The Intel Core i7-12650HX, however, delivers the decisive blows where they matter most for certain users. Its 36% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 17.2% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core are the largest margins in any test, indicating that for modern rendering workloads, the older chip is substantially faster. The i7-12650HX also offers an unlocked multiplier and 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, making it more suitable for overclocking and high-bandwidth expansion.

For users prioritizing PassMark-style mixed workloads and physics simulations, the Intel Core 7 240H is the better pick, offering a 49.6% advantage in PassMark physics and a 6.2% lead in PassMark multi-thread. For users running Cinebench R23 rendering or seeking overclocking headroom, the Intel Core i7-12650HX is the clear choice despite its lower average benchmark score. Both chips hold the same 82nd percentile ranking, so the decision ultimately hinges on which specific workloads matter more, not on overall performance tiers.