Intel Core i5-12500 vs Intel Core i7-11600H Comparison

The Intel Core i7-11600H and Intel Core i5-12500 are both six-core, twelve-thread processors from Intel, but they target completely different segments: the i7-11600H is a 35W mobile part for laptops, while the i5-12500 is a 65W desktop part. The benchmark data shows a decisive performance advantage for the desktop i5-12500, which wins all 19 head-to-head comparisons. Despite the i7’s higher launch MSRP of $395 and the i5’s lower launch MSRP of $212, the i5-12500 delivers superior results across every single-core and multi-core workload tested, making the architectural and platform differences the primary story here.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i5-12500 has a base clock of 3.00 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Core i7-11600H’s base clock of 2.50 GHz. Both processors share the same 4.60 GHz boost clock.

Q: How much faster is the i5-12500 in multi-threaded Cinebench R23?

A: The i5-12500 scores 16759 points in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the i7-11600H scores 13286 points. This gives the i5-12500 a 20.7% advantage in that test.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The Intel Core i5-12500 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Intel Core i7-11600H supports only DDR4. Both use a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: What is the difference in their integrated graphics?

A: The i7-11600H features UHD Graphics 750, whereas the i5-12500 includes UHD Graphics 770. The i5-12500’s newer graphics solution is part of its Alder Lake architecture.

Q: Which processor has a larger die size?

A: The Intel Core i7-11600H has a die size of 190 mm², which is larger than the Intel Core i5-12500’s 163 mm² die. Both are built on Intel’s 10 nm process node.

Q: Are both processors on the same socket?

A: No. The i7-11600H uses the Intel BGA 1787 socket, which is a mobile platform, while the i5-12500 uses the Intel Socket 1700, which is for desktop systems.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split between these two parts is stark. The Intel Core i7-11600H is built on the Tiger Lake architecture, specifically the Tiger Lake-H variant, and is fabricated on Intel’s 10 nm process node. It is a mobile processor with a 35W TDP, designed for laptops. In contrast, the Intel Core i5-12500 uses the Alder Lake architecture, specifically Alder Lake-S, also on a 10 nm process node, but it is a desktop part with a 65W TDP. This fundamental difference in platform—mobile vs. desktop—drives many of the performance gaps observed in the benchmarks.

Despite the generational difference, both processors share identical core and cache configurations. Each has 6 cores and 12 threads, with 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core. The shared L3 cache is also identical at 18 MB. The key architectural divergence lies in the platform capabilities and the underlying microarchitecture. The i5-12500’s Alder Lake design supports a PCIe Gen 5 interface with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-11600H’s Tiger Lake design supports PCIe Gen 4 with the same 20 lanes (CPU only).

Another significant difference is memory support. The i5-12500 can operate with both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, whereas the i7-11600H is limited to DDR4. The i7-11600H has a specified memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the i5-12500’s memory bandwidth is not listed in the data. The integrated graphics also differ, with the mobile part featuring UHD Graphics 750 and the desktop part featuring UHD Graphics 770.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-12500 outperforms the Intel Core i7-11600H in every single test, winning 19 out of 19 head-to-head comparisons. The margin of victory varies significantly by workload, from a narrow 2.3% in Geekbench single-core to a massive 38.6% in Passmark physics.

Starting with single-threaded performance, the i5-12500 consistently leads. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i5-12500 scores 2366 versus the i7-11600H’s 1875, a 20.8% advantage. Cinebench R20 single-core shows a similar gap, with the i5-12500 scoring 993 versus 787, a 20.7% lead. The Geekbench single-core test shows the smallest difference, with the i5-12500 scoring 1969 against the i7-11600H’s 1924, only 2.3% ahead. Passmark single-thread results show the i5-12500 at 3666 versus 3019, a 17.6% edge. These results indicate that the Alder Lake core design in the i5-12500 has a clear IPC advantage over the Tiger Lake core in the i7-11600H.

The multi-threaded tests amplify this advantage. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-12500 scores 16759 versus 13286, a 20.7% lead. Geekbench multi-core shows a larger 30% gap, with the i5-12500 scoring 9374 versus 6563. The most dramatic difference is in Passmark physics, where the i5-12500 scores 1242 versus 763, a 38.6% advantage. Passmark floating point math also shows a substantial 31.3% gap, with scores of 48004 for the i5-12500 versus 32963 for the i7-11600H.

Other workloads follow the same pattern. In Passmark data compression, the i5-12500 scores 238753 versus 190721, a 20.1% lead. Data encryption shows a 19.2% advantage for the i5-12500, with scores of 12033 versus 9718. Extended instructions tests show the i5-12500 at 16090 versus 12938, a 19.6% lead. Integer math is closer, with the i5-12500 scoring 61626 versus 55437, a 10% advantage. Random string sorting shows a modest 5.6% lead for the i5-12500, scoring 23523 versus 22217. The smallest margin outside of Geekbench single-core is in Passmark find prime numbers, where the i5-12500 scores 75 versus 65, a 13.3% lead.

Specification Differences

The specification tables reveal several key differences between the two processors beyond their performance. The most obvious is their market segment: the i7-11600H is a Mobile processor, while the i5-12500 is a Desktop processor. This is reflected in their TDPs, with the mobile part rated at 35W and the desktop part at 65W.

The sockets are completely different, with the i7-11600H using Intel BGA 1787 and the i5-12500 using Intel Socket 1700. The release dates also differ, with the i7-11600H launching on 2021-05-10 and the i5-12500 launching on 2022-01-03. The launch MSRP for the i7-11600H is $395, while the i5-12500 has a launch MSRP of $212.

Memory support differs, as noted: the i5-12500 supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the i7-11600H supports only DDR4. The PCIe interface also differs, with the i5-12500 supporting Gen 5 and the i7-11600H supporting Gen 4, both with 20 lanes. The integrated graphics differ, with UHD Graphics 770 on the i5-12500 and UHD Graphics 750 on the i7-11600H. The die size is also different, with the i7-11600H at 190 mm² and the i5-12500 at 163 mm².

The base clocks differ, with the i5-12500 at 3.00 GHz and the i7-11600H at 2.50 GHz, though both share a 4.60 GHz boost clock. The part numbers are also unique: SRKT9 for the i7-11600H and SRL5V for the i5-12500. Both processors have identical core counts, thread counts, L1 cache, L2 cache, and L3 cache, and neither has an unlocked multiplier or ECC memory support.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear picture: the Intel Core i5-12500 is the superior processor in every benchmark category. It wins all 19 head-to-head comparisons, with advantages ranging from 2.3% in Geekbench single-core to 38.6% in Passmark physics. Even in the closest test, the i5-12500’s single-core performance is ahead, and in multi-threaded workloads, it leads by 20% or more in most cases. The i5-12500 also offers more modern platform features, including DDR5 memory support, PCIe Gen 5, and a newer integrated graphics solution.

However, the choice between these two parts is not purely about performance. The i7-11600H is a mobile processor with a 35W TDP, designed for laptops where power efficiency and thermal constraints are critical. The i5-12500 is a desktop processor with a 65W TDP, designed for systems where power draw is less of a concern. The i7-11600H’s lower TDP makes it suitable for compact, battery-powered devices, while the i5-12500 requires a desktop platform with adequate cooling.

For users building or buying a desktop system, the i5-12500 is the clear choice based on the benchmark data. It delivers significantly higher performance in every test, from single-threaded tasks to heavily multi-threaded workloads. The i7-11600H, despite its higher launch MSRP, cannot match the i5-12500’s output. For laptop users, the i7-11600H remains a capable option within its mobile segment, but the data shows it is consistently outclassed by the desktop i5-12500. The verdict is straightforward: the i5-12500 is the better performer, and the i7-11600H’s only advantage lies in its mobile form factor.