Intel Core i5-11400 vs Intel Core i5-12450H Comparison

The Intel Core i5-12450H and Intel Core i5-11400 present a fascinating generational clash, pitting a mobile-focused Alder Lake processor against a desktop Rocket Lake part. While both CPUs share the same 12-thread count and 4.40 GHz boost clock, the benchmark data reveals that they are optimized for entirely different workloads. The i5-11400 secures a decisive 15 wins out of 23 head-to-head tests, but the i5-12450H’s victories are concentrated in areas that reveal a surprising strength in single-threaded and floating-point performance.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking disparity in the data appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core testing, where the Intel Core i5-11400 delivers a score of 14132 against the i5-12450H's 8822.5. This represents a massive 37.6% advantage for the desktop chip, a gap that dwarfs any other difference in the comparison. This suggests that sustained multi-core workloads, such as video rendering or 3D scene compilation, heavily favor the Rocket Lake processor.

However, the i5-12450H counters with a significant win in Cinebench R15 single-core, scoring 238 versus the i5-11400's 200. This 19% lead is the largest single-core victory in the entire dataset. It implies a substantial architectural efficiency advantage for the Alder Lake core in short, lightly-threaded bursts, despite the identical 4.40 GHz boost clock specification.

The 3DMark suite paints a more nuanced picture. The i5-11400 takes the 16-thread test with a score of 5609 versus 5001, a 10.8% lead. Yet, the i5-12450H wins the 2-thread test (1743 vs 1679, a 3.8% lead) and the single-thread test (912 vs 865, a 5.4% lead). This pattern suggests the i5-11400 scales better with additional cores, while the i5-12450H's core design is more potent individually.

In PassMark's math-focused tests, the results are split. The i5-12450H wins floating-point math decisively, scoring 40568 against the i5-11400's 34004, a 19.3% advantage. Conversely, the i5-11400 wins integer math, scoring 57601 versus 54782, a 4.9% edge. This divergence indicates that the Alder Lake architecture excels at certain types of calculations, while Rocket Lake retains an edge in others. The i5-12450H also shows a 5.5% lead in data encryption (10832 vs 10264) and a 10.6% lead in the PassMark single-thread test (3306 vs 2990).

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-11400 is the clear winner for heavily threaded, long-duration workloads. Its victory in Cinebench R23 multi-core by 37.6% is the headline, but it also wins 3DMark 16-thread (10.8%), 8-thread (9.8%), and max-thread (10.8%) tests. It also dominates in PassMark extended instructions (14901 vs 11992, a 19.5% lead) and random string sorting (23974 vs 20838, a 13.1% lead). This is the processor for tasks that can utilize all six physical cores and twelve threads effectively.

The Intel Core i5-12450H wins in scenarios that favor responsiveness and specific instruction types. Its 19% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core and 10.6% lead in PassMark single-thread make it the better choice for snappy, lightly-threaded applications. The 19.3% advantage in floating-point math is notable for scientific computing or physics simulations, as evidenced by its 11.3% win in PassMark physics (883 vs 793). Its 5.5% win in data encryption also suggests a slight edge in security-related tasks.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental difference lies in the manufacturing process and core design philosophy. The i5-12450H uses a 10 nm process node, while the i5-11400 is built on a 14 nm node. This generational shift allows the Alder Lake chip to fit 8 cores on a smaller die size of 217 mm², compared to the 6-core Rocket Lake chip's 276 mm² die. The i5-12450H achieves its 8-core, 12-thread configuration through a hybrid architecture, while the i5-11400 uses a more traditional 6-core, 12-thread layout.

Cache allocation also differs significantly. Both processors share 12 MB of L3 cache, but the L2 cache is where they diverge. The i5-12450H has a much larger 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, which is 2.5 times the 512 KB per core found in the i5-11400. This larger L2 cache likely contributes to the i5-12450H's superior single-threaded performance in short bursts. The i5-11400 compensates with a higher base clock of 2.60 GHz versus the i5-12450H's 2.00 GHz, which helps its sustained multi-core performance.

The two CPUs are also built for different segments. The i5-12450H is a mobile processor on the Intel BGA 1744 socket with a 45W TDP, while the i5-11400 is a desktop chip on the Intel Socket 1200 with a 65W TDP. The i5-12450H supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, whereas the i5-11400 is limited to DDR4. The i5-12450H's integrated graphics are listed simply as "UHD Graphics," while the i5-11400 features "UHD Graphics 730."

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i5-11400 is significantly faster, scoring 14132 compared to the i5-12450H's 8822.5, a 37.6% advantage.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-12450H have any winning benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins 8 of the 23 head-to-head tests, including Cinebench R15 single-core (19% lead) and PassMark floating-point math (19.3% lead).

Q: Why is the i5-11400 so much better in multi-threaded tests?

A: While both have 12 threads, the i5-11400's desktop design with a 65W TDP and higher 2.60 GHz base clock likely allows for more sustained performance across all cores, as seen in its 3DMark 16-thread and max-thread wins.

Q: Which CPU has a larger L2 cache?

A: The Intel Core i5-12450H has a larger L2 cache of 1.25 MB per core, compared to the i5-11400's 512 KB per core.

Q: Are these processors on the same socket?

A: No, the i5-12450H uses the mobile Intel BGA 1744 socket, while the i5-11400 uses the desktop Intel Socket 1200.

Q: Which CPU is better for physics calculations?

A: The Intel Core i5-12450H wins the PassMark physics test with a score of 883 versus 793, an 11.3% advantage.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-12450H | Intel Core i5-11400 |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Series | Core 12th Gen | Core 11th Gen |

| Cores | 8 | 6 |

| Base Clock | 2000.00 MHz | 2.60 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | Intel Socket 1200 |

| Architecture | Alder Lake | Rocket Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 217 mm² | 276 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not specified | 51.2 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | Not specified | 2021-03-15 |

| Launch MSRP | Not specified | $182 |

| Part Number | SRLCX | SRKP0 |

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split based on use case. For users building or upgrading a desktop system where sustained multi-core performance is paramount, the Intel Core i5-11400 is the superior choice. Its decisive wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 3DMark multi-threaded tests demonstrate a raw capability that the i5-12450H cannot match.

Conversely, the Intel Core i5-12450H is the better option for scenarios where single-threaded speed and specific instruction efficiency are valued. Its wins in Cinebench R15 single-core, PassMark single-thread, floating-point math, and physics indicate a responsive and efficient core design. Given its mobile segment and active production status, it is the logical choice for a laptop where battery life and short-burst performance are key. The i5-11400, being end-of-life and a desktop part, is a different tool for a different job. The verdict is not about which is "better" overall, but which architecture's strengths align with the user's primary workload.