Intel Core i5-12500H vs Intel Core i7-10700K Comparison

The Intel Core i5-12500H and Intel Core i7-10700K represent two very different approaches to CPU design: a modern hybrid mobile processor against a high-clock desktop veteran. Benchmark results show the i5-12500H wins 16 of 23 head-to-head tests, yet the i7-10700K takes decisive victories in several multi-threaded and memory-sensitive workloads. The data paints a clear picture of two chips optimized for entirely different environments, with the mobile part leveraging architectural efficiency while the desktop part relies on raw clock speed and desktop-class power delivery.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-12500H dominates in single-threaded and lightly-threaded tasks. It leads by 12.3% in both 3dMark single-thread and PassMark single-thread tests, and its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2801 is 26.2% higher than the i7-10700K's 2220. This makes the mobile chip the clear choice for everyday responsiveness, office work, and any application that relies on one or two fast cores. The i5-12500H also crushes the i7-10700K in data encryption, scoring 14749 versus 6468 — a massive 128% advantage — suggesting significantly better security and cryptography performance.

The Intel Core i7-10700K wins where sustained multi-threaded throughput and memory bandwidth matter most. Its 3dMark 16-thread score of 7277 is 18.2% higher than the i5-12500H's 5954, and its 8-thread result of 5628 beats the mobile chip by 21.9%. The desktop part also leads in data compression (295418 vs 253431, a 14.2% gap), extended instructions (19387 vs 14965, 22.8% ahead), and random string sorting (36633 vs 28099, 23.3% ahead). These are workloads that scale with consistent all-core performance and high memory bandwidth — areas where the i7-10700K's 125W TDP and desktop socket give it an inherent advantage.

Architecture Differences

The i5-12500H uses Alder Lake architecture on a 10 nm process, while the i7-10700K uses Comet Lake on 14 nm. This process gap explains much of the efficiency difference: the mobile chip achieves higher single-thread performance despite a 45W TDP versus the desktop part's 125W. The i5-12500H packs 12 cores and 16 threads (hybrid configuration), whereas the i7-10700K has 8 cores and 16 threads (all performance cores). Despite fewer physical cores, the desktop chip delivers better raw multi-thread scores in several tests, likely due to higher sustained clocks and better thermal headroom.

Cache configurations differ notably. The i5-12500H has 80 KB L1 per core and 1.25 MB L2 per core, with 18 MB shared L3. The i7-10700K has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, with 16 MB shared L3. The mobile chip's larger L2 could contribute to its strong performance in integer math (71714 vs 66642, 7.6% ahead) and physics (1018 vs 933, 9.1% ahead). The i7-10700K supports DDR4 only with dual-channel memory and 46.9 GB/s bandwidth, while the i5-12500H supports both DDR4 and DDR5. PCIe also differs: the mobile part has Gen 4 with 20 lanes, the desktop part has Gen 3 with 16 lanes.

The i7-10700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, a feature absent on the i5-12500H. Integrated graphics differ too: Iris Xe 80EU on the mobile chip versus UHD Graphics 630 on the desktop part. The sockets are incompatible — Intel BGA 1744 for the laptop chip, Intel Socket 1200 for the desktop chip — meaning you cannot swap between the two platforms.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has better single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-12500H wins all single-thread benchmarks. It scores 924 in 3dMark single-thread versus 823 for the i7-10700K (12.3% higher), and 2801 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 2220 (26.2% higher). PassMark single-thread also favors the mobile chip: 3418 vs 3043.

Q: Is the i7-10700K better for multi-threaded workloads?

A: It depends on the specific test. The i7-10700K leads in 3dMark 16-thread (7277 vs 5954, 18.2% ahead) and 8-thread (5628 vs 4394, 21.9% ahead). However, the i5-12500H wins Cinebench R23 multicore (19840 vs 15727, 26.2% ahead) and PassMark multithread (20625 vs 18609, 10.8% ahead). The desktop chip's wins are concentrated in 3dMark and memory-sensitive PassMark tests.

Q: How do they compare in encryption performance?

A: The i5-12500H is dramatically better, scoring 14749 in PassMark data encryption versus 6468 for the i7-10700K — a 128% advantage. This is the largest single-benchmark gap between the two processors.

Q: Can I overclock either CPU?

A: Only the i7-10700K has an unlocked multiplier. The multiplierUnlocked field is true for the desktop part and false for the i5-12500H, so the mobile chip cannot be overclocked.

Q: What memory types does each support?

A: The i5-12500H supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory. The i7-10700K supports only DDR4, also dual-channel, with a specified memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s.

Q: Which CPU has better data compression performance?

A: The i7-10700K wins PassMark data compression with 295418 versus 253431 for the i5-12500H, a 14.2% advantage. The desktop chip also leads in random string sorting by 23.3%, suggesting better memory subsystem performance for these workloads.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-12500H | Intel Core i7-10700K |

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

| Cores | 12 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.50 GHz | 5.10 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 125 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | Intel Socket 1200 |

| Architecture | Alder Lake | Comet Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 18 MB (shared) | 16 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not specified | 46.9 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes | Gen 3, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe 80EU | UHD Graphics 630 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part Number | SRLCY | SRH72 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The biggest win for the i5-12500H comes in PassMark data encryption, where it scores 14749 against 6468 — a 128% advantage that is unprecedented in this comparison. This is followed by Cinebench R15 multicore, where the mobile chip scores 1999 versus 1585, a 26.1% lead. The same margin carries through all Cinebench versions: R20 multicore shows 8332 vs 6605 (26.1%), and R23 multicore shows 19840 vs 15727 (26.2%). Single-core Cinebench results are similarly lopsided, with R23 single-core at 2801 vs 2220 (26.2% ahead). PassMark floating-point math also favors the i5-12500H at 52227 vs 41306, a 26.4% advantage. The mobile chip wins PassMark integer math (71714 vs 66642, 7.6%), physics (1018 vs 933, 9.1%), and multithread (20625 vs 18609, 10.8%).

The i7-10700K's most significant victory is in 3dMark 8-thread, scoring 5628 against 4394 — a 21.9% lead. It also wins 3dMark 16-thread (7277 vs 5954, 18.2%) and 3dMark max-threads (7266 vs 6043, 16.8%). PassMark random string sorting shows a 23.3% advantage for the desktop chip (36633 vs 28099), and extended instructions favor it by 22.8% (19387 vs 14965). Data compression goes to the i7-10700K by 14.2% (295418 vs 253431). The 3dMark 4-thread result is nearly tied: 3171 vs 3139, a 1% edge for the desktop part. The only 2-thread benchmark goes to the i5-12500H (1773 vs 1622, 9.3% ahead), and PassMark find-prime-numbers is a razor-thin 3.6% win for the mobile chip (57 vs 55).

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split: the i5-12500H is the better processor for single-threaded performance, encryption, and Cinebench-style rendering workloads. Its 26% lead across all Cinebench tests and 128% advantage in encryption make it the stronger choice for content creation, code compilation, and security-focused tasks. The 12-core hybrid design with 18 MB L3 cache and support for DDR5 memory positions it as the more future-proof option, despite being a mobile part.

The i7-10700K remains the pick for sustained multi-threaded workloads that stress memory bandwidth and all-core consistency. Its 18-22% leads in 3dMark multi-thread tests, plus advantages in data compression, extended instructions, and string sorting, indicate it handles data-heavy and SIMD-friendly tasks more effectively. The 5.10 GHz boost clock and unlocked multiplier give desktop users headroom that the locked mobile chip cannot match.

The i5-12500H sits at the 76th percentile of all CPUs, while the i7-10700K sits at the 75th. Average benchmark scores are close: 22625 for the mobile chip versus 22230 for the desktop part. These near-identical percentile rankings confirm that the two chips are comparable overall, but their strengths are complementary. Choose the i5-12500H for a laptop or compact system where efficiency and single-thread speed matter. Choose the i7-10700K for a desktop build where you can feed it power and benefit from its multi-threaded muscle and overclocking headroom. The 3dMark results show the i7-10700K's edge in gaming-oriented multi-thread tests, while the i5-12500H's Cinebench and encryption wins point to productivity superiority.