Intel Core i5-1240U vs Intel Core i5-12450H Comparison

The Verdict

The data splits these two Alder Lake mobile processors into clear roles. The Intel Core i5-12450H is the decisive performance winner, taking 15 of 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The Intel Core i5-1240U wins only two tests, both in PassMark's prime number and physics workloads, which points to a specific but narrow strength. For anyone prioritizing raw compute, sustained multi-core work, or encryption and compression tasks, the database points squarely at the i5-12450H. The i5-1240U, with its 9 W TDP and lower base clock, appears designed for a different mission: efficiency and light-duty operation where its two extra cores can occasionally shine in specific math patterns. The verdict is not about equality; it is about fit. The i5-12450H for performance, the i5-1240U for scenarios where the 9 W envelope matters more than peak output.

Architecture Differences

Both chips share the Alder Lake architecture, the 10 nm process node, and Intel as the foundry. The family resemblance continues with identical L1 cache at 80 KB per core, identical L2 at 1.25 MB per core, and identical shared L3 at 12 MB. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel mode, and neither supports ECC memory. The cores and threads tell a different story: the i5-12450H has 8 cores and 12 threads, while the i5-1240U has 10 cores and 12 threads. The U-series part carries two additional cores but the same thread count, suggesting a hybrid arrangement where some cores do not add threads. The base clock differs substantially, 2000 MHz for the H part versus 1100 MHz for the U part, while the boost clock is identical at 4.4 GHz. The H chip uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket, the U chip uses Intel BGA 1781. Integrated graphics separate them further: the i5-12450H has UHD Graphics, the i5-1240U has Iris Xe 80EU. PCIe support also differs, with the H listing Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only) and the U listing simply Gen 4. The die size is recorded for the H at 217 mm², while no die size is listed for the U. These are not minor tweaks; they are two different physical designs serving opposite power targets, 45 W versus 9 W.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-12450H dominates across the broad compute spectrum. In Cinebench, it wins every round, from R15 to R23, in both single-core and multi-core. The margins grow with load: 8.7% in R15 multi-core, 13.1% in R20 multi-core, 11.6% in R23 multi-core. Single-core gaps are smaller but consistent, ranging from 5.3% in R15 to 13.2% in R20. PassMark paints a similar picture with larger deltas. Data compression favors the H by 36.4%, data encryption by 20.8%, extended instructions by 51.2%, floating point math by 36.5%, integer math by 21.8%, multithread by 21.3%, and random string sorting by 30.3%. The only single-thread PassMark win for the H is modest at 2.1%. The i5-1240U takes the other two PassMark tests: find prime numbers by 27% and physics by 10%. These wins suggest the U part has some efficiency advantage in certain integer or physics simulations, but they are isolated. In practical terms, the H chip is the workhorse for rendering, encoding, compression, and heavy math. The U chip is the choice for light workloads that occasionally hit a specific prime-number or physics pattern where its core arrangement wins.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i5-1240U has 10 cores, while the Intel Core i5-12450H has 8 cores. Both have 12 threads.

Q: What is the boost clock for both processors?

A: Both the Intel Core i5-12450H and the Intel Core i5-1240U have a boost clock of 4.4 GHz.

Q: How much faster is the i5-12450H in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The i5-12450H scores 8822.5 in Cinebench R23 multi-core versus 7902 for the i5-1240U, a delta of 11.6%.

Q: Does the i5-1240U win any benchmark tests?

A: Yes, the i5-1240U wins two recorded tests: PassMark find prime numbers with a score of 63 versus 46, and PassMark physics with a score of 981 versus 883.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The i5-12450H has a TDP of 45 W, while the i5-1240U has a TDP of 9 W.

Q: Are the integrated graphics different?

A: Yes, the i5-12450H uses UHD Graphics, while the i5-1240U uses Iris Xe 80EU.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single win for the i5-12450H comes in PassMark extended instructions, where it scores 11992 against 7932, a 51.2% advantage. This is a massive gap and suggests the H part has significantly better support for advanced instruction sets or higher sustained clocks under such workloads. Data compression follows closely: 195132 versus 143102, a 36.4% delta. Floating point math shows a similar 36.5% gap, with scores of 40568 and 29726. Random string sorting trails at 30.3% (20838 versus 15996). Integer math gives the H a 21.8% lead (54782 versus 44968), and multithread shows 21.3% (16265 versus 13406). Data encryption is 20.8% higher for the H (10832 versus 8964). Cinebench multi-core results are more moderate but still clear: R20 shows 13.1% (5671 versus 5013), R23 shows 11.6% (8822.5 versus 7902), and R15 shows 8.7% (1350 versus 1242). Single-core Cinebench favors the H by 13.2% in R20 (800 versus 707), 6.5% in R23 (1661 versus 1559), and 5.3% in R15 (238 versus 226). The narrowest H win is PassMark single-thread at 2.1% (3306 versus 3239). For the i5-1240U, the wins are the inverse: find prime numbers shows 63 versus 46, a 27% advantage, and physics shows 981 versus 883, a 10% edge. These two wins are notable because they flip the expected narrative. The U part, despite lower clocks and TDP, outperforms in these specific tests, indicating that its core configuration or power management delivers better results in those algorithmic patterns.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several recorded fields. Core count: 8 for the i5-12450H, 10 for the i5-1240U. Base clock: 2000 MHz versus 1100 MHz. TDP: 45 W versus 9 W. Socket: Intel BGA 1744 versus Intel BGA 1781. Codename: Alder Lake-H versus Alder Lake-U. Generation: Core i5 (Alder Lake-H) versus Core i5 (Alder Lake-U). Die size: 217 mm² for the H, no value recorded for the U. PCIe: Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only) for the H, Gen 4 without lane specification for the U. Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics versus Iris Xe 80EU. The release date is only listed for the i5-1240U, which is 2022-02-22. The part number is only listed for the i5-12450H, SRLCX. All other fields, including L1, L2, L3 cache, memory support, memory bus, ECC support, market segment, production status, and unlocked multiplier status, are identical between the two. The shared 12 MB L3 cache and dual-channel DDR4/DDR5 support mean the memory subsystem is equivalent; the differences lie in power, core arrangement, and physical packaging.