Intel Core i5-11500 vs Intel Core i5-12450HX Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i5-12450HX has 8 cores, while the Intel Core i5-11500 has 6 cores. Both processors support 12 threads.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-11500 scores 14,513 points in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 27.4% higher than the Intel Core i5-12450HX's 11,390 points. This is the largest performance delta between the two in any benchmark.

Q: Which processor wins in single-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core i5-12450HX wins every single-core benchmark. It scores 3,340 in PassMark single-thread versus 3,131 for the Intel Core i5-11500, a 6.3% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the margin is narrower: 2,119 versus 2,049, also a 3.3% lead.

Q: What are the integrated graphics solutions on each chip?

A: The Intel Core i5-11500 features UHD Graphics 750, while the Intel Core i5-12450HX comes with UHD Graphics 710. Both are integrated GPUs from Intel, but the desktop part carries the higher-tier model.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The Intel Core i5-12450HX has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel Core i5-11500 does not. This gives the mobile chip flexibility for performance tuning that the desktop chip lacks.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The Intel Core i5-11500 is end-of-life, while the Intel Core i5-12450HX is still active. The desktop chip launched on 2021-03-15, and the mobile chip launched on 2022-05-09.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i5-11500 is built on Rocket Lake, Intel's 14 nm architecture, while the Intel Core i5-12450HX uses Alder Lake-HX on Intel's 10 nm process. The process node difference is significant, as the newer 10 nm node allows for a more compact die: the mobile chip measures 215 mm², versus 276 mm² for the desktop Rocket Lake part.

Core configuration differs substantially. The i5-11500 uses 6 traditional cores with 12 threads, a straightforward homogeneous design. The i5-12450HX deploys 8 cores and 12 threads, which implies a hybrid arrangement of performance and efficiency cores, though the database does not specify the exact breakdown. Both processors share the same L1 cache size of 80 KB per core, but L2 cache differs: the i5-11500 has 512 KB per core, while the i5-12450HX has 1.25 MB per core, a 2.4x increase. L3 cache is identical at 12 MB shared.

Memory support diverges as well. The i5-11500 supports only DDR4, while the i5-12450HX supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the desktop chip has a recorded memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the mobile chip has no bandwidth figure in the database. The i5-11500 features PCIe Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, whereas the i5-12450HX steps up to PCIe Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes.

The integrated graphics differ in tier: UHD Graphics 750 on the desktop part versus UHD Graphics 710 on the mobile part. Socket and form factor also separate these chips: the i5-11500 uses Intel Socket 1200 and targets the desktop market, while the i5-12450HX uses Intel BGA 1964 and targets mobile. The mobile chip has a lower base clock of 2.40 GHz versus 2.70 GHz, and a lower boost clock of 4.40 GHz versus 4.60 GHz. TDP ratings are 55 W for the mobile part and 65 W for the desktop part.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a clear split: the Intel Core i5-12450HX wins 13 of 17 head-to-head tests, but the Intel Core i5-11500 takes the most dramatic victory. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the desktop chip scores 14,513 versus 11,390, a 27.4% lead. This is the single largest delta in the entire comparison. Interestingly, in the older Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core tests, the situation reverses: the i5-12450HX leads by 3.3% in both, scoring 1,512 versus 1,462 in R15 and 6,304 versus 6,095 in R20.

Single-core performance consistently favors the mobile chip. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 213 versus 206, a 3.3% edge. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 889 versus 860, also 3.3%. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 2,119 versus 2,049, again 3.3%. PassMark single-thread shows 3,340 versus 3,131, a larger 6.3% gap.

PassMark workloads paint a mixed picture. The i5-12450HX dominates floating-point math with 43,126 points versus 34,422, a 20.2% advantage. Physics tests also heavily favor the mobile chip: 1,086 versus 823, a 24.2% lead. Data encryption shows a 12.5% edge for the i5-12450HX (12,110 versus 10,592), and data compression favors it by 4.1% (219,707 versus 210,796). Multi-thread performance overall goes to the mobile chip: 18,274 versus 17,107, a 6.4% margin.

The Intel Core i5-11500 wins four tests. Beyond the R23 multi-core result, it takes extended instructions by 9.2% (15,111 versus 13,832), integer math by 2% (58,352 versus 57,189), and random string sorting by 5.1% (24,505 versus 23,306). Prime number finding is close, with the mobile chip winning 54 versus 51, a 5.6% margin.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-11500 | Intel Core i5-12450HX |

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

| Cores | 6 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.70 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.60 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 55 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1200 | Intel BGA 1964 |

| Architecture | Rocket Lake | Alder Lake |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 10 nm |

| Die Size | 276 mm² | 215 mm² |

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

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

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

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes | Gen 5, 20 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 750 | UHD Graphics 710 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

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

| Release Date | 2021-03-15 | 2022-05-09 |

| Launch MSRP | $192 | $284 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part Number | SRKNY | SRLGJ |

The L1 cache is identical at 80 KB per core, and L3 cache matches at 12 MB shared. Both processors support dual-channel memory and do not support ECC memory. Neither chip has a recorded transistor count or 3D V-Cache. The i5-12450HX carries a higher launch MSRP of $284 compared to $192 for the i5-11500.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-12450HX is the stronger overall performer according to the aggregate data. Its average benchmark score is 24,576, which places it in the 77th percentile of all CPUs, versus 23,718 and the 76th percentile for the i5-11500. The mobile chip leads in the majority of tests, particularly in floating-point math, physics simulation, encryption, and all single-core workloads. Its hybrid core design and larger L2 cache evidently help in these areas. The unlocked multiplier also makes it the more flexible choice for users who want to tune performance.

The i5-12450HX is clearly the pick for general productivity, single-threaded responsiveness, and compute-heavy tasks like physics or floating-point operations. Its PassMark multi-thread score of 18,274 surpasses the desktop chip's 17,107, meaning it handles parallel workloads well despite its mobile positioning. Data compression and encryption also favor the mobile part, making it suitable for archive management and security-related tasks.

The Intel Core i5-11500 wins where sustained multi-core rendering matters most. Its 27.4% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core suggests that in modern rendering workloads, the desktop chip's architecture scales better. It also wins in extended instructions (9.2% ahead), integer math, and random string sorting. These wins indicate an edge in specific compute patterns, likely benefiting from the Rocket Lake architecture's instruction handling.

For users prioritizing Cinebench R23 rendering performance, the i5-11500 is the better choice. The same applies to workloads that rely on extended instruction sets or integer-heavy processing. The desktop chip's higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz may contribute to its single-core competitiveness, though it still trails the mobile chip in every single-thread test.

The data shows a nuanced picture. The i5-12450HX wins more tests and has a higher average score, but the i5-11500 delivers the most decisive single victory. The mobile chip's 8-core configuration and newer 10 nm process give it advantages in throughput and efficiency, while the desktop chip's 14 nm Rocket Lake design holds its own in specific rendering and instruction-heavy scenarios. The choice between them depends on whether the workload favors the mobile chip's broad consistency or the desktop chip's R23 multi-core dominance.