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

The Intel Core i5-12450H and Intel Core i5-11400F present a fascinating generational clash, pitting a mobile Alder Lake part against a desktop Rocket Lake chip. The data reveals a clear split: the newer mobile processor excels in lightly-threaded and specific math workloads, while the older desktop chip dominates heavily-threaded and sustained multicore tasks. The benchmark results indicate a 0.4% average score difference in favor of the 12450H, but the head-to-head tests tell a more nuanced story of 15 wins for the 11400F versus 8 for the 12450H.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking disparity appears in Cinebench R23 multicore, where the 11400F scores 14,340 against the 12450H's 8,822.5. This is a 38.5% lead for the desktop part, a massive gap that suggests the 12450H's Alder Lake architecture is severely constrained in sustained all-core workloads, likely due to its mobile power envelope. This trend continues across other multithreaded tests, with the 11400F leading by 11.2% in 3DMark max threads (5,652 vs 5,020) and 11% in 3DMark 16 threads (5,619 vs 5,001).

The 11400F's dominance extends to mixed-thread workloads. In 3DMark 8 threads, it wins 4,691 to 4,233 (a 9.8% lead), and in 3DMark 4 threads, it takes 3,171 vs 3,091 (2.5% ahead). The Cinebench R20 multicore test shows a 5.8% edge (6,022 vs 5,671), while R15 multicore shows a 6.6% advantage (1,445 vs 1,350). Even PassMark's multithread score goes to the 11400F, 16,908 vs 16,265, a 3.8% margin. Data compression also favors the 11400F, 208,472 vs 195,132 (6.4% ahead), and random string sorting sees it win 24,124 vs 20,838, a 13.6% advantage.

The 12450H fights back decisively in single-threaded and low-thread tests. PassMark single-thread sees it win 3,306 vs 2,981, a 10.9% lead. Cinebench R15 single-core shows a 16.7% advantage (238 vs 204), and 3DMark single-thread gives it a 5.1% win (912 vs 868). The mobile chip also takes 3DMark 2 threads, scoring 1,743 vs 1,691, a 3.1% margin. In floating-point math, the 12450H posts 40,568 vs 34,127, an 18.9% victory, and in data encryption, it leads 10,832 vs 10,247 (5.7% ahead). Physics tests also favor the 12450H, 883 vs 842, a 4.9% win.

The Cinebench R23 single-core result is notable for breaking the pattern, with the 11400F winning 2,024 vs 1,661, a 17.9% lead, even though the 12450H wins every other single-core test. This suggests the 11400F can achieve higher sustained single-core boosts in certain workloads. Extended instructions also heavily favor the 11400F, 14,976 vs 11,992 (19.9% ahead), while integer math and prime number finding go to the 11400F by 4.9% and 9.8%, respectively.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-12450H has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 17,239, compared to the 11400F's 17,177, a difference of 0.4%. However, in the head-to-head tests, the 11400F wins 15 of 23 comparisons.

Q: How do the two chips compare in raw multicore performance?

A: The 11400F is the clear winner in heavily threaded workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 14,340 is 38.5% higher than the 12450H's 8,822.5. The 11400F also leads in 3DMark 16-thread (5,619 vs 5,001) and max-thread (5,652 vs 5,020) tests.

Q: Is the newer 12450H better for single-threaded tasks?

A: Yes, in most cases. The 12450H wins PassMark single-thread (3,306 vs 2,981, a 10.9% lead), Cinebench R15 single-core (238 vs 204, a 16.7% lead), and 3DMark single-thread (912 vs 868, a 5.1% lead). The exception is Cinebench R23 single-core, where the 11400F wins 2,024 vs 1,661.

Q: What is the performance difference in memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Core i5-11400F has a listed memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while no specific memory bandwidth figure is provided for the 12450H in the data. The 12450H supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, whereas the 11400F is limited to DDR4.

Q: How do these processors rank among all CPUs?

A: Both processors have a percentile ranking of 71 among all CPUs, indicating they are in the same performance tier. Their average benchmark scores are also very close, with a 0.4% difference between them.

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i5-12450H has 8 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i5-11400F has 6 cores and 12 threads. The 12450H also has a larger L2 cache of 1.25 MB per core, compared to the 11400F's 512 KB per core.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures and manufacturing processes. The 12450H uses Intel's Alder Lake architecture, built on a 10 nm process node, with a die size of 217 mm². The 11400F uses the Rocket Lake architecture, built on a 14 nm process node, with a larger die size of 276 mm². This process advantage likely explains the 12450H's superior floating-point math and single-thread performance in most tests.

Core configurations differ significantly. The 12450H has 8 cores and 12 threads, while the 11400F has 6 cores and 12 threads. The 12450H's L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core, whereas the 11400F has 512 KB per core. Both share a 12 MB shared L3 cache. The 12450H's L1 cache is 80 KB per core, identical to the 11400F's L1 cache.

Memory support marks a major divergence. The 12450H supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, while the 11400F only supports DDR4, also dual-channel. The 11400F has a listed memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, but no such figure is provided for the 12450H. The 11400F has no integrated graphics, while the 12450H includes UHD Graphics.

The processors also differ in socket and market segment. The 12450H uses Intel BGA 1744 and is a mobile part, while the 11400F uses Intel Socket 1200 and is a desktop part. The 12450H has a TDP of 45 W, compared to the 11400F's 65 W. The 11400F is listed as end-of-life and has a release date of 2021-03-15, while the 12450H is active but has no release date listed. Both support PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data clearly indicates that the Intel Core i5-11400F is the superior choice for users prioritizing multicore performance. Its 38.5% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore and consistent wins across 3DMark multi-threaded tests make it the dominant option for rendering, video encoding, and other heavily threaded workloads. The 11400F also wins in extended instructions by 19.9%, suggesting better performance in specialized compute tasks.

The Intel Core i5-12450H, however, is the better choice for single-threaded and latency-sensitive applications. Its 10.9% lead in PassMark single-thread and 16.7% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core indicate stronger responsiveness in everyday tasks and lightly-threaded applications. The 12450H's 18.9% advantage in floating-point math also suggests superior performance in scientific and simulation workloads. Its mobile design and integrated graphics make it suitable for laptops, while the 11400F is a desktop-only part.

Both processors are in the 71st percentile of all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores differ by only 0.4%. This means the choice ultimately comes down to the target workload. The 11400F offers better sustained multicore performance, while the 12450H offers better burst single-core performance and newer memory support. The 11400F's end-of-life status and 65 W TDP make it a legacy desktop option, while the 12450H's active status and 45 W TDP position it for modern mobile systems.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The 12450H has 8 cores and 12 threads, while the 11400F has 6 cores and 12 threads. The base clock differs, with the 12450H at 2000.00 MHz and the 11400F at 2.60 GHz, though both have a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The TDP is 45 W for the 12450H and 65 W for the 11400F.

The socket and market segment differ, with the 12450H on Intel BGA 1744 for mobile and the 11400F on Intel Socket 1200 for desktop. The process node is 10 nm for the 12450H and 14 nm for the 11400F, with die sizes of 217 mm² and 276 mm², respectively. The L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core for the 12450H and 512 KB per core for the 11400F, while both share 12 MB of L3 cache.

Memory support diverges, with the 12450H supporting DDR4 and DDR5, while the 11400F only supports DDR4. The 11400F has a listed memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the 12450H has no listed bandwidth. The 12450H includes integrated UHD Graphics, while the 11400F has no integrated graphics. The 11400F has a launch MSRP of $157, while no launch MSRP is listed for the 12450H. The production status is active for the 12450H and end-of-life for the 11400F, with the 11400F having a release date of 2021-03-15.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-11400F wins decisively in multicore performance. It leads by 38.5% in Cinebench R23 multicore, 11.2% in 3DMark max threads, and 11% in 3DMark 16 threads. This makes it the preferred choice for video rendering, 3D modeling, and batch processing tasks that utilize all available cores. Its 19.9% lead in extended instructions also suggests an advantage in applications using advanced SIMD instructions, such as scientific computing and certain audio/video codecs. The 11400F also wins in integer math (4.9% ahead) and data compression (6.4% ahead), making it suitable for database operations and file archiving.

The Intel Core i5-12450H wins in single-threaded and specific math workloads. Its 10.9% lead in PassMark single-thread and 16.7% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core indicate faster response in web browsing, office applications, and legacy software that relies on single-core performance. The 18.9% advantage in floating-point math makes it ideal for financial modeling, physics simulations, and any workload with heavy FPU usage. The 12450H also wins in data encryption (5.7% ahead), suggesting a slight edge in security-related tasks, and in 3DMark 2-thread tests (3.1% ahead), which is relevant for dual-core optimized games or applications.

The 12450H also holds advantages in physics calculations (4.9% ahead) and 3DMark single-thread (5.1% ahead), which can translate to better performance in game physics and light simulation tasks. Its 5.7% lead in data encryption makes it a reasonable choice for VPNs, encrypted file systems, or secure communications. The mobile chip's integrated graphics and DDR5 support are additional advantages for portable systems, though the 11400F's higher TDP and desktop socket allow for more robust cooling solutions and sustained performance. In summary, the 11400F is the multicore workhorse, while the 12450H excels in single-threaded responsiveness and specialized math operations.