Intel Core i5-12450H vs Intel Core i7-1260P Comparison

The Intel Core i5-12450H and Intel Core i7-1260P are both Alder Lake mobile processors, but the benchmark data reveals two distinct performance personalities. While the i7-1260P claims more total benchmark wins (13 vs. 10), the i5-12450H scores decisive victories in specific high-thread-count scenarios. The i7-1260P, despite its lower 28W TDP compared to the i5's 45W, delivers superior results in most Cinebench and Passmark tests, while the i5-12450H dominates the 3DMark suite and data compression workloads. These are not interchangeable parts; the data shows a clear split between sustained multi-core rendering and bursty, latency-sensitive tasks.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic divergence appears in the 3DMark suite, where the i5-12450H wins every multi-threaded test by wide margins. The 8-thread test shows the largest gap: the i5 scores 4233 against the i7's 3159, a 34% advantage. The 16-thread test is similarly lopsided at 22.8% (5001 vs. 4072), and the 4-thread test shows a 21.7% lead (3091 vs. 2540). Even the 2-thread test favors the i5 by 8.9% (1743 vs. 1601), and the max-threads result gives the i5 a 13.9% edge (5020 vs. 4406). Only in the single-thread 3DMark test does the i7 eke out a win, by a razor-thin 0.3% (915 vs. 912). This pattern suggests the i5-12450H's higher TDP and core configuration are better suited to the parallel graphics-related workloads that 3DMark's thread tests represent.

The narrative flips in Cinebench, where the i7-1260P takes every round. The multi-core Cinebench R15 result is the standout: the i7 scores 1626 against the i5's 1350, a 17% advantage. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows a narrower 3.5% lead for the i7 (5874 vs. 5671), and R23 multi-core gives the i7 a 9.1% edge (9711 vs. 8822.5). Single-core results are closer but still favor the i7: R15 by 2.1% (243 vs. 238), R20 by 3.5% (829 vs. 800), and R23 by 4.4% (1737.5 vs. 1661). These consistent wins indicate the i7's higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz versus the i5's 4.40 GHz, combined with its 12 cores and 18 MB of L3 cache, translate directly into better rendering performance.

Passmark results are more mixed, with the i7 winning the majority but not by the same margins seen in Cinebench. The i7's biggest Passmark win is in find_prime_numbers, where it scores 63 against the i5's 46, a 27% advantage. Physics also favors the i7 heavily at 19.1% (1092 vs. 883), and integer_math shows a 12.1% lead (62316 vs. 54782). The i7 also wins floating_point_math by 4.4% (42417 vs. 40568), data_encryption by 3.6% (11238 vs. 10832), and multithread by 3% (16775 vs. 16265). However, the i5-12450H takes Passmark data_compression by 6.6% (195132 vs. 182968), extended_instructions by 14.3% (11992 vs. 10493), random_string_sorting by 1.2% (20838 vs. 20586), and single_thread by 1.7% (3306 vs. 3250). The i5's win in extended_instructions is particularly noteworthy, suggesting better handling of SIMD-type workloads.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the Alder Lake architecture, built on Intel's 10 nm process node with a die size of 217 mm², and both use the Intel BGA 1744 socket. The core configurations differ significantly: the i5-12450H has 8 cores and 12 threads, while the i7-1260P has 12 cores and 16 threads. This means the i7 offers 50% more cores and 33% more threads, which explains its advantage in heavily threaded Cinebench and Passmark tests. The i7 also carries more L3 cache: 18 MB shared versus the i5's 12 MB shared, a 50% difference. Both have the same per-core L1 cache (80 KB) and per-core L2 cache (1.25 MB).

Clock speeds favor the i7 in both base and boost: 2.10 GHz base and 4.70 GHz boost for the i7, versus 2.00 GHz base and 4.40 GHz boost for the i5. The i7's higher boost clock is likely a key factor in its single-core wins across Cinebench and 3DMark. The TDP difference is substantial—45W for the i5 versus 28W for the i7—but the i7 still manages to outperform in most sustained workloads, indicating the i5's higher power budget does not always translate to higher performance. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel mode, have Gen 4 PCIe with 20 lanes (CPU only), and do not support ECC memory. Neither is multiplier unlocked.

The integrated graphics differ: the i5-12450H features UHD Graphics, while the i7-1260P has Iris Xe 96EU. This is a meaningful architectural difference for users relying on integrated graphics, though the benchmark data provided does not include GPU-specific tests. Both are classified as Mobile market segment parts, and both are listed as Active in production status. The i7-1260P has a release date of 2022-02-22, while the i5 has no listed release date in the data. Their part numbers are SRLCX for the i5 and SRLD6 for the i7.

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Core i7-1260P as the stronger overall processor, with 13 wins versus 10 for the i5-12450H. Its victories in Cinebench R23 multi-core (9711 vs. 8822.5) and single-core (1737.5 vs. 1661) are particularly telling, as Cinebench R23 is a widely cited proxy for general productivity and rendering performance. The i7 also wins the Passmark multithread test (16775 vs. 16265) and the Passmark single_thread test is a near tie, with the i5 ahead by just 1.7% (3306 vs. 3250). The i7's 12 cores, 16 threads, and 18 MB L3 cache give it a structural advantage in most multi-threaded scenarios, despite its lower 28W TDP.

However, the i5-12450H is the clear winner in 3DMark's thread tests, with a 34% lead in the 8-thread test and a 22.8% lead in the 16-thread test. This is not a trivial result: 3DMark's CPU tests are designed to mimic gaming and real-time physics workloads, and the i5's dominance there suggests it may offer better performance in gaming-focused laptops. The i5 also wins Passmark data_compression (195132 vs. 182968) and extended_instructions (11992 vs. 10493), indicating strength in file compression and SIMD-heavy applications. For users who prioritize rendering, encoding, or general productivity, the i7-1260P is the better choice. For users who prioritize gaming or 3D application performance, the i5-12450H's 3DMark results make it a compelling option.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-1260P has 12 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i5-12450H has 8 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the L3 cache difference between the two?

A: The i7-1260P has 18 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-12450H has 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The i7-1260P wins with a score of 9711, compared to the i5-12450H's 8822.5, a 9.1% advantage for the i7.

Q: How do they compare in 3DMark 8-thread performance?

A: The i5-12450H wins decisively with a score of 4233, versus 3159 for the i7-1260P, a 34% lead for the i5.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each?

A: The i5-12450H has a TDP of 45W, and the i7-1260P has a TDP of 28W.

Q: What integrated graphics do they use?

A: The i5-12450H uses UHD Graphics, while the i7-1260P uses Iris Xe 96EU.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-12450H wins in the 3DMark suite across all multi-threaded tests, including the 16-thread (5001 vs. 4072), 8-thread (4233 vs. 3159), 4-thread (3091 vs. 2540), and 2-thread (1743 vs. 1601) benchmarks. It also wins Passmark data_compression (195132 vs. 182968), extended_instructions (11992 vs. 10493), random_string_sorting (20838 vs. 20586), and the Passmark single_thread tests (3306 vs. 3250). This makes the i5-12450H the better choice for workloads that involve 3D rendering, physics simulation, data compression, and SIMD instruction sets. Its 45W TDP suggests it is designed for higher-performance laptops where power draw is less of a constraint.

The i7-1260P wins all Cinebench tests, including R15 multi-core (1626 vs. 1350), R15 single-core (243 vs. 238), R20 multi-core (5874 vs. 5671), R20 single-core (829 vs. 800), R23 multi-core (9711 vs. 8822.5), and R23 single-core (1737.5 vs. 1661). It also wins Passmark data_encryption (11238 vs. 10832), find_prime_numbers (63 vs. 46), floating_point_math (42417 vs. 40568), integer_math (62316 vs. 54782), multithread (16775 vs. 16265), physics (1092 vs. 883), and the 3DMark single_thread test (915 vs. 912). The i7-1260P is the better processor for CPU rendering, encryption, integer and floating-point math, and physics calculations. Its 12-core, 16-thread configuration and 18 MB L3 cache make it a stronger all-around productivity chip.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-12450H | Intel Core i7-1260P |

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

| Cores | 8 | 12 |

| Threads | 12 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.00 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.40 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 45W | 28W |

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

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics | Iris Xe 96EU |

| Generation | Core i5 (Alder Lake-H) | Core i7 (Alder Lake-P) |

| Release Date | Not listed | 2022-02-22 |

| Part Number | SRLCX | SRLD6 |

Both processors share the same Alder Lake architecture, 10 nm process node, 217 mm² die size, Intel BGA 1744 socket, DDR4/DDR5 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, Gen 4 PCIe with 20 lanes, lack of ECC support, and locked multiplier. The i5-12450H has a higher TDP (45W vs. 28W), but the i7-1260P compensates with more cores, threads, cache, and higher clock speeds. The i5's UHD Graphics is a basic integrated solution, while the i7's Iris Xe 96EU is a more capable GPU for mobile use.