Intel Core i5-11500H vs Intel Core i5-12400T Comparison

The Intel Core i5-11500H and Intel Core i5-12400T are both six-core, twelve-thread processors from Intel, but they target different market segments and generations. The 11500H is a Tiger Lake-H mobile part, while the 12400T is an Alder Lake-S desktop part. Benchmark data from the database shows a clear split: the 11500H dominates in Cinebench workloads, while the 12400T takes a decisive lead in Geekbench single-core performance. The following analysis breaks down the recorded measurements, architectural differences, and use-case implications.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results show the Intel Core i5-11500H winning six of the eight recorded benchmarks, with the Intel Core i5-12400T taking the remaining two. The margins, however, are not uniform.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the 11500H scores 1427 against the 12400T's 1333, a 7.1% advantage. The single-core R15 test follows a similar pattern: 201 versus 188, a 6.9% lead for the 11500H. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore result is 5949 for the 11500H and 5558 for the 12400T, a 7% delta. The R20 single-core test shows 839 versus 784, again a 7% edge. Cinebench R23 multicore continues the trend: 14166 against 13234, a 7% difference, and the R23 single-core test records 1999 versus 1868, also a 7% gap. These six Cinebench results consistently favor the 11500H by roughly 7%, indicating a stable performance advantage across rendering and CPU-intensive workloads.

The Geekbench results tell a different story. In Geekbench multicore, the 12400T scores 7144 against the 11500H's 7135, a marginal 0.1% lead. This is effectively a tie, with the 12400T edging ahead by just nine points. The Geekbench single-core test, however, is a decisive win for the 12400T: 2044 versus 1778, a 13% advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison, and it highlights a significant difference in single-threaded performance between the two architectures.

The average benchmark score for the 11500H is 4187, while the 12400T averages 4019. This places the 11500H slightly ahead overall, but the Geekbench single-core result shows that the 12400T has a clear strength in tasks that rely on a single thread. The 11500H's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-9900 (0.6% ahead) and the Intel Core i5-12500T (0.7% behind), while the 12400T's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G (0.2% ahead) and the Intel Xeon E-2336 (0.9% behind). These context points suggest both processors sit in a similar performance tier, but with different strengths.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on different architectures and target different platforms. The Intel Core i5-11500H uses the Tiger Lake architecture, specifically Tiger Lake-H, and is designed for mobile systems. It fits the Intel BGA 1787 socket. The Intel Core i5-12400T uses the Alder Lake architecture, specifically Alder Lake-S, and is a desktop part that fits the Intel Socket 1700.

Both processors are manufactured on Intel's 10 nm process node, but the die sizes differ. The 11500H has a die size of 190 mm², while the 12400T is smaller at 163 mm². The cache configurations also differ. Both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, but the L3 cache is different: the 11500H has 12 MB shared, while the 12400T has 18 MB shared. This 6 MB difference in L3 cache is notable, as the 12400T has 50% more shared cache.

Memory support is another key differentiator. The 11500H supports DDR4 memory only, with a dual-channel bus and a recorded memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The 12400T supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also with a dual-channel bus, but the database does not list a memory bandwidth figure for it. The PCIe interface also differs: the 11500H uses Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the 12400T uses Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). This gives the 12400T a newer PCIe standard, which can matter for storage and GPU connectivity.

The integrated graphics are different as well. The 11500H includes UHD Graphics 750, while the 12400T includes UHD Graphics 730. The market segment is a clear split: the 11500H is a mobile processor, and the 12400T is a desktop processor. The 11500H has a release date of 2021-05-10, while the 12400T has no recorded release date in the database. The launch MSRP for the 11500H is $250, and for the 12400T it is $192. Both processors have locked multipliers, meaning they are not unlocked for overclocking.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data points to distinct use cases for each processor. The Intel Core i5-11500H is the stronger choice for multi-threaded rendering and CPU-heavy workloads. Its consistent 7% lead across all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests, both multicore and single-core, indicates that it handles sustained computational tasks with greater efficiency. This makes it well-suited for mobile workstations or laptops that need to run 3D rendering, video encoding, or other parallel processing tasks. The 11500H's higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz, compared to the 12400T's 4.20 GHz, likely contributes to this advantage in Cinebench, which is sensitive to clock speed and sustained power delivery.

The Intel Core i5-12400T, on the other hand, wins decisively in Geekbench single-core, with a 13% lead over the 11500H. This suggests it is better for applications that rely heavily on single-threaded performance, such as older games, certain productivity tools, or tasks that are not well-parallelized. The 12400T also has a slight edge in Geekbench multicore, though the 0.1% delta is negligible. The 12400T's larger 18 MB L3 cache and support for DDR5 memory may contribute to its single-core strength, as faster memory and more cache can reduce latency in single-threaded workloads.

For a desktop user who prioritizes single-threaded responsiveness and has access to DDR5 memory, the 12400T is the better fit. For a mobile user who needs consistent multi-threaded performance in a compact form factor, the 11500H is the stronger option. The 11500H's mobile design also means it is built for power efficiency within a 35 W TDP, which is the same TDP as the 12400T, but the 11500H's higher boost clock suggests it can push performance when needed.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors, based on the recorded data:

• Socket: Intel BGA 1787 (11500H) versus Intel Socket 1700 (12400T)
• Architecture: Tiger Lake (11500H) versus Alder Lake (12400T)
• Codename: Tiger Lake-H (11500H) versus Alder Lake-S (12400T)
• Generation: Core i5 (Tiger Lake-H) versus Core i5 (Alder Lake-S)
• Die Size: 190 mm² (11500H) versus 163 mm² (12400T)
• L3 Cache: 12 MB shared (11500H) versus 18 MB shared (12400T)
• Memory Support: DDR4 (11500H) versus DDR4, DDR5 (12400T)
• Memory Bandwidth: 51.2 GB/s (11500H) versus not listed (12400T)
• PCIe: Gen 4, 20 Lanes (11500H) versus Gen 5, 20 Lanes (12400T)
• Integrated Graphics: UHD Graphics 750 (11500H) versus UHD Graphics 730 (12400T)
• Market Segment: Mobile (11500H) versus Desktop (12400T)
• Release Date: 2021-05-10 (11500H) versus not listed (12400T)
• Launch MSRP: $250 (11500H) versus $192 (12400T)
• Part Number: SRKT2 (11500H) versus SRL5X (12400T)
• Base Clock: 2.40 GHz (11500H) versus 1800.00 MHz (12400T)
• Boost Clock: 4.60 GHz (11500H) versus 4.20 GHz (12400T)

Both processors share the same core count (6), thread count (12), TDP (35 W), L1 cache (80 KB per core), L2 cache (1.25 MB per core), process node (10 nm), foundry (Intel), memory bus (dual-channel), ECC support (false), and multiplier lock (false).

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-11500H has a boost clock of 4.60 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-12400T has a boost clock of 4.20 GHz.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i5-12400T has 18 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i5-11500H has 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor supports DDR5 memory?

A: The Intel Core i5-12400T supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Intel Core i5-11500H supports only DDR4.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-11500H has an average benchmark score of 4187, while the Intel Core i5-12400T has an average score of 4019.

Q: Which processor has a larger die size?

A: The Intel Core i5-11500H has a die size of 190 mm², while the Intel Core i5-12400T has a die size of 163 mm².

Q: Which processor wins in Geekbench single-core?

A: The Intel Core i5-12400T wins in Geekbench single-core with a score of 2044, compared to the Intel Core i5-11500H's 1778, a 13% advantage.