Intel Core i5-12450H vs Intel Core Ultra 7 164U Comparison

The Intel Core i5-12450H and the Intel Core Ultra 7 164U represent two distinct approaches to mobile computing, one prioritizing sustained throughput and the other emphasizing efficiency. The benchmark data reveals a clear performance hierarchy, with the i5-12450H winning 15 of 17 head-to-head comparisons, yet the nature of those wins and the specific workloads where the Ultra 7 164U counters are instructive for matching silicon to use cases.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive victories for the Intel Core i5-12450H come in workloads that stress parallel execution and data throughput. In PassMark's extended instructions test, the i5-12450H scores 11992 against 7918 for the Ultra 7 164U, a substantial 51.5% advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison and indicates the Alder Lake part's superior handling of complex, vectorized instruction streams. Data compression shows a similarly lopsided result: the i5-12450H posts 195132 versus 137133, a 42.3% lead, suggesting its memory subsystem and core configuration are better suited to streaming large datasets. Random string sorting follows the same pattern, with the i5-12450H ahead by 37.7% (20838 vs 15131).

The gap narrows but remains consistent in other multi-threaded tests. In Cinebench R20 multicore, the i5-12450H scores 5671 against 4488 for the Ultra 7 164U, a 26.4% margin. PassMark's multithread benchmark shows a 22.3% advantage (16265 vs 13296), and floating-point math is 20.8% higher (40568 vs 33581). Data encryption also favors the i5-12450H, with a 22.6% lead (10832 vs 8838). These results paint a picture of a processor that consistently extracts more work from multi-threaded code, likely due to its higher power envelope and core design.

Single-threaded performance is also firmly in the i5-12450H's camp, though the margins are smaller. In Cinebench R20 singlecore, the i5-12450H leads by 26.4% (800 vs 633), a substantial gap that suggests a significant difference in per-core execution efficiency. PassMark single-thread shows a 10.3% advantage for the i5-12450H (3306 vs 2996), and Cinebench R15 singlecore is 5.8% higher (238 vs 225). Even in Cinebench R23, where the multicore scores are nearly identical (8822.5 vs 8766, a mere 0.6% delta), the single-thread result still favors the i5-12450H by 4.5% (1661 vs 1590).

The Intel Core Ultra 7 164U's two wins are narrow but noteworthy. In PassMark's find prime numbers test, it scores 56 against 46, a 17.9% advantage for the Ultra 7 164U. This is a specific algorithmic pattern where the Meteor Lake architecture's efficiency cores appear to be more effective. The other win is in PassMark physics, where the Ultra 7 164U scores 918 versus 883, a 3.8% lead. These are isolated victories, but they show that the Ultra 7 164U is not without merit in certain computational niches.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different silicon. The Intel Core i5-12450H uses the Alder Lake architecture, also codenamed Alder Lake-H, fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process node. It has a die size of 217 mm². In contrast, the Intel Core Ultra 7 164U is based on the Meteor Lake architecture, built on a newer 7 nm process node. This process difference is central to the Ultra 7 164U's dramatically lower power profile.

Core counts and threading also diverge. The i5-12450H has 8 cores and 12 threads, while the Ultra 7 164U has 12 cores and 14 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the i5-12450H generally wins multi-threaded tests, indicating its cores are significantly more powerful on an individual basis. The cache hierarchy reflects this too: the i5-12450H has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, while the Ultra 7 164U has larger L1 (112 KB per core) and L2 (2 MB per core) allocations. Both share a common 12 MB L3 cache.

The memory and I/O capabilities differ as well. The i5-12450H supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Ultra 7 164U supports DDR5, with the note that it depends on the motherboard. Both use dual-channel memory buses. PCIe connectivity is another differentiator: the i5-12450H provides 20 Gen 4 lanes from the CPU, while the Ultra 7 164U offers only 8 Gen 4 lanes. Integrated graphics also differ, with the i5-12450H using UHD Graphics and the Ultra 7 164U employing Arc Xe-LPG 64EU. The sockets are not interchangeable, with the i5-12450H using Intel BGA 1744 and the Ultra 7 164U using Intel BGA 2551.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-12450H is the clear choice for compute-heavy workflows that can exploit multiple threads. The data shows dominant wins in data compression (42.3% ahead), extended instruction processing (51.5% ahead), and random string sorting (37.7% ahead). These are typical of database operations, scientific computing, and content creation tasks that involve heavy data manipulation. Its 26.4% lead in Cinebench R20 multicore and 22.3% lead in PassMark multithread further solidify its position for video rendering, 3D modeling, and software compilation. The i5-12450H's consistent single-thread advantage (10.3% in PassMark, 26.4% in Cinebench R20) also makes it better for everyday responsive tasks and lightly-threaded applications like web browsing and office productivity.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 164U wins in two specific areas. Its 17.9% advantage in find prime numbers suggests a niche in mathematical or cryptographic workloads that rely on integer factorization. The 3.8% win in PassMark physics points to a slight edge in certain physics simulation workloads. More broadly, the Ultra 7 164U's design goals are evident in its 9W TDP versus the i5-12450H's 45W TDP. This is not a benchmark score, but it indicates the Ultra 7 164U is intended for fanless or ultra-thin designs where sustained performance is less critical than battery life and thermal management. Its lower base clock of 1100 MHz versus 2000 MHz for the i5-12450H further underscores this efficiency focus, even though its 4.80 GHz boost clock exceeds the i5-12450H's 4.40 GHz.

Specification Differences

The most consequential difference is TDP: the i5-12450H is rated at 45W, while the Ultra 7 164U is rated at just 9W. This 5x disparity explains the performance characteristics and dictates which chassis each processor can inhabit. The i5-12450H has a base clock of 2000 MHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz; the Ultra 7 164U has a base clock of 1100 MHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The i5-12450H has 8 cores and 12 threads, versus 12 cores and 14 threads for the Ultra 7 164U.

Cache configurations differ per core: the i5-12450H has 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core, while the Ultra 7 164U has 112 KB L1 and 2 MB L2 per core. Both have 12 MB of shared L3. Memory support is split, with the i5-12450H accepting DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 7 164U supports DDR5 only. PCIe lanes are a major difference: 20 Gen 4 lanes for the i5-12450H versus 8 Gen 4 lanes for the Ultra 7 164U. The integrated GPU differs, with UHD Graphics on the i5-12450H and Arc Xe-LPG 64EU on the Ultra 7 164U. The process node is 10 nm for the i5-12450H and 7 nm for the Ultra 7 164U. The i5-12450H has a die size of 217 mm², while the Ultra 7 164U's die size is not listed. The sockets are different: Intel BGA 1744 for the i5-12450H and Intel BGA 2551 for the Ultra 7 164U. The release date for the Ultra 7 164U is 2023-12-13; no release date is listed for the i5-12450H. The Ultra 7 164U has a launch MSRP of $448. The part numbers are SRLCX for the i5-12450H and SRN85 for the Ultra 7 164U.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-12450H wins all single-thread tests. It leads by 10.3% in PassMark single-thread (3306 vs 2996) and by 26.4% in Cinebench R20 singlecore (800 vs 633).

Q: Is the Intel Core Ultra 7 164U ever faster?

A: Yes, in two tests. It scores 17.9% higher in PassMark find prime numbers (56 vs 46) and 3.8% higher in PassMark physics (918 vs 883).

Q: How do the core counts differ?

A: The Intel Core i5-12450H has 8 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 7 164U has 12 cores and 14 threads.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption?

A: The Intel Core i5-12450H has a TDP of 45W, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 164U has a TDP of 9W.

Q: Do they use the same memory?

A: No. The Intel Core i5-12450H supports DDR4 and DDR5. The Intel Core Ultra 7 164U supports DDR5, with compatibility dependent on the motherboard.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The Intel Core i5-12450H provides 20 Gen 4 lanes from the CPU. The Intel Core Ultra 7 164U provides 8 Gen 4 lanes.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-12450H is the faster processor in nearly every measurable workload. It wins 15 of 17 comparisons, with decisive margins in data compression, extended instructions, and multi-threaded rendering. Its higher 45W TDP enables sustained performance that the 9W Ultra 7 164U cannot match. For users who need raw compute power for content creation, development, or data analysis, the i5-12450H is the clear choice based on the scores.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 164U, however, is not without a purpose. Its two benchmark wins, while narrow, show specific algorithmic strengths. More importantly, its 9W TDP and 7 nm process node signal a design for ultra-portable, fanless laptops where battery life and thermals are paramount. The data shows it is competitive in Cinebench R23 multicore (only 0.6% behind) and offers a higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz. For users who prioritize mobility and efficiency over peak throughput, the Ultra 7 164U is the appropriate choice. The i5-12450H is for those who want maximum performance in a mobile form factor; the Ultra 7 164U is for those who want a capable processor that sips power. Both sit at the 71st percentile of all CPUs, but they achieve that standing through opposite strategies.