Intel Core i5-11500H vs Intel Core i5-12500T Comparison

The Intel Core i5-12500T and the Intel Core i5-11500H are both 6-core, 12-thread processors that land in the same performance tier, but they achieve their results through very different designs and target different physical platforms. The data shows a split decision: the mobile-oriented i5-11500H sweeps the Cinebench suite, while the desktop i5-12500T counters with decisive wins in Geekbench. The average benchmark score of 4216 for the 12500T versus 4187 for the 11500H puts them nearly at parity, with the 12500T holding a 0.7% lead over the 11500H in the aggregate, placing both CPUs in the 57th percentile of all tested processors.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the head-to-head results is how consistently the i5-11500H wins in Cinebench. Across all six Cinebench tests—R15, R20, and R23, each in both single-core and multi-core variants—the 11500H takes the win with a delta of -1.8% or -2.0% relative to the 12500T. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 11500H scores 14166 against the 12500T’s 13913, a 1.8% margin. The single-core R23 result is similar: 1999 for the 11500H versus 1964 for the 12500T, again a 1.8% gap. The R20 multi-core test shows 5949 versus 5843, and R15 multi-core shows 1427 versus 1402, all reflecting that same narrow but consistent edge.

The story flips dramatically in Geekbench. Here, the i5-12500T wins multi-core by a commanding 8.4%, scoring 7733 against the 11500H’s 7135. The single-core Geekbench test also favors the 12500T, with a 4.3% lead, scoring 1854 versus 1778. This divergence is a classic sign of different architectural priorities. The Cinebench workloads are heavily dependent on sustained clock throughput, while the Geekbench suite stresses memory latency and branch prediction, where the newer Alder Lake design appears to hold an advantage.

Looking at the broader rival landscape, both CPUs sit in a tight cluster. The 12500T’s nearest rival is the Intel Xeon E-2378 (avg score 4232, delta -0.4%), followed by the i7-1265U (4248, delta -0.7%) and the i9-9900 (4163, delta 1.3%). The 11500H’s closest competitor is the i9-9900 (4163, delta 0.6%), with the 12500T itself (4216, delta -0.7%) and the Xeon E-2378 (4232, delta -1.1%) trailing. Neither chip is a standout in its peer group; they are both mid-pack performers with strong but not exceptional scores.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations and are built for different sockets. The i5-12500T is Alder Lake-S, a desktop part on Intel Socket 1700, while the i5-11500H is Tiger Lake-H, a mobile part on Intel BGA 1787. Both use a 10 nm process from Intel, but the die sizes differ: the 12500T is 163 mm², while the 11500H is larger at 190 mm². The cache configuration shows a significant difference in L3: the 12500T has 18 MB shared L3, while the 11500H must make do with 12 MB shared L3. L1 and L2 caches are identical at 80 KB per core and 1.25 MB per core, respectively.

Clock speeds favor the older Tiger Lake part. The 11500H has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost of 4.60 GHz, while the 12500T runs at 2.00 GHz base and 4.40 GHz boost. Both have a 35 W TDP, which is notable for a desktop part—the 12500T is clearly a low-power, efficiency-focused SKU. Memory support differs as well: the 12500T supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode, while the 11500H is limited to DDR4. The 11500H does list a memory bandwidth figure of 51.2 GB/s, while the 12500T’s bandwidth is not specified in the data. PCIe generation also differs: the 12500T uses Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes, while the 11500H uses Gen 4 with the same 20 lanes.

Integrated graphics are another differentiator. The 12500T carries UHD Graphics 770, while the 11500H has UHD Graphics 750. Neither chip supports ECC memory, and both are locked (multiplier not unlocked). The 11500H has a release date of May 2021 and a launch MSRP of $250; the 12500T has no listed launch MSRP. The 12500T’s part number is SRL5W, and the 11500H’s is SRKT2.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear but nuanced recommendation. If your benchmark priority is Cinebench-style rendering or sustained compute workloads, the i5-11500H is the pick. It wins all six Cinebench tests, with margins ranging from 1.8% to 2.0%. That consistency is meaningful—it suggests the 11500H’s higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz (versus 4.40 GHz) and higher base clock of 2.40 GHz (versus 2.00 GHz) translate into real-world throughput advantages in multi-threaded and single-threaded rendering alike.

However, if your workload leans toward the kinds of tasks measured by Geekbench—mixed integer, floating-point, and memory-bound operations—the i5-12500T is the stronger choice. Its 8.4% multi-core and 4.3% single-core Geekbench wins are larger than any Cinebench advantage the 11500H holds. The 12500T also benefits from 18 MB of L3 cache versus 12 MB, which likely contributes to its Geekbench dominance.

For a builder choosing between these two, the socket is a decisive factor outside of raw performance. The 12500T is a desktop part for Socket 1700, meaning it can be paired with a wide range of motherboards and upgraded within the Alder Lake ecosystem. The 11500H is a mobile BGA part, soldered to the board, with no upgrade path. If you are assembling a new desktop system, the 12500T is the practical choice despite losing in Cinebench. If you are evaluating a pre-built laptop or mobile workstation, the 11500H is the only option, and it happens to win the rendering tests.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-12500T | Intel Core i5-11500H |

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

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

| Base Clock | 2.00 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.40 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 1787 |

| Architecture | Alder Lake | Tiger Lake |

| Codename | Alder Lake-S | Tiger Lake-H |

| Generation | Core i5 (Alder Lake-S) | Core i5 (Tiger Lake-H) |

| Die Size | 163 mm² | 190 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 18 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4 |

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

| PCIe | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | UHD Graphics 750 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | Not specified | 2021-05-10 |

| Launch MSRP | Not specified | $250 |

| Part Number | SRL5W | SRKT2 |

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-11500H has a boost clock of 4.60 GHz, which is higher than the i5-12500T’s 4.40 GHz.

Q: Do both CPUs have the same amount of L3 cache?

A: No. The i5-12500T has 18 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-11500H has 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor won more head-to-head benchmark tests?

A: The Intel Core i5-11500H won 6 out of 8 head-to-head tests. The i5-12500T won the remaining 2 tests.

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark score between the two?

A: The i5-12500T has an average benchmark score of 4216, while the i5-11500H scores 4187. The 12500T leads by 0.7%.

Q: Are both CPUs compatible with DDR5 memory?

A: No. Only the i5-12500T supports DDR5 memory (alongside DDR4). The i5-11500H is limited to DDR4.

Q: What is the TDP of both processors?

A: Both the i5-12500T and the i5-11500H have a TDP of 35 W.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-11500H is the winner in all Cinebench workloads. That includes Cinebench R15 multi-core (1427 vs 1402), R15 single-core (201 vs 197), R20 multi-core (5949 vs 5843), R20 single-core (839 vs 824), R23 multi-core (14166 vs 13913), and R23 single-core (1999 vs 1964). If you are rendering stills, animating, or running any CPU-bound creative suite that relies on Cinebench-like performance, the 11500H is the stronger performer. Its higher base and boost clocks give it a consistent edge in these sustained throughput tests.

The i5-12500T wins decisively in Geekbench. The multi-core margin is 8.4% (7733 vs 7135), and the single-core margin is 4.3% (1854 vs 1778). These are the larger wins in the entire comparison. The 12500T also offers the architectural advantage of DDR5 support and a newer PCIe Gen 5 interface, plus a larger 18 MB L3 cache. For tasks like desktop responsiveness, general productivity, and memory-latency-sensitive applications, the 12500T is the better choice. It is also the only one of the two that fits into a standard desktop motherboard, making it the logical pick for a new build where you want a low-power 35 W CPU with modern platform features. The 11500H, being a mobile BGA part, is strictly for laptop or compact mobile systems where its Cinebench wins can be leveraged in a portable chassis.