Intel Core i5-12500H vs Intel Core i7-11700 Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data splits this comparison cleanly by workload type. The Intel Core i5-12500H is the better choice for anyone running Cinebench-style rendering, encryption, floating-point math, or physics simulations. It wins 12 of the 23 head-to-head tests, and its wins in the Cinebench suite are decisive: 13.3% ahead of the i7-11700 in multi-core tests across R15, R20, and R23. The Intel Core i7-11700, meanwhile, takes 11 wins, mostly in 3DMark threaded tests and integer-heavy PassMark workloads. It leads by as much as 22.1% in 3DMark 8-thread performance. The i5-12500H is the better all-rounder for creative applications and modern single-threaded tasks. The i7-11700 is the pick if your software leans heavily on integer math or specific instruction-set extensions. The i5-12500H also carries a 12-core hybrid design versus the i7's 8 traditional cores, so it handles mixed workloads with more flexibility. For a laptop buyer, the i5-12500H is the clear winner. For a desktop builder with a Socket 1200 board, the i7-11700 still holds its ground in several key areas.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i5-12500H scores 19840 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 13.3% higher than the Intel Core i7-11700's 17504.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-11700 win any benchmark by a large margin?

A: Yes. The i7-11700 leads by 21.9% in 3DMark 16-thread, 22.1% in 3DMark 8-thread, and 20.9% in 3DMark max-threads. It also beats the i5-12500H by 18.3% in PassMark extended instructions.

Q: Which CPU has the better single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-12500H is ahead in single-thread tests. It scores 3418 in PassMark single-thread versus 3263 for the i7-11700, a 4.8% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i5-12500H scores 2801 versus 2471, a 13.4% advantage.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The Intel Core i5-12500H is listed as Active, while the Intel Core i7-11700 is marked End-of-life.

Q: What is the difference in memory support between the two?

A: The i5-12500H supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, dual-channel. The i7-11700 supports only DDR4, also dual-channel, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i5-12500H has 12 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core i7-11700 has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different Intel generations and are built for different market segments. The Intel Core i5-12500H is a mobile part from the Core 12th Gen series, using the Alder Lake architecture on a 10 nm process. Its codename is Alder Lake-H, and it fits the Intel BGA 1744 socket. The Intel Core i7-11700 is a desktop chip from Core 11th Gen, using the Rocket Lake architecture on a 14 nm process. Its codename is Rocket Lake, and it uses the Intel Socket 1200.

The core layout is fundamentally different. The i5-12500H packs 12 cores and 16 threads, which implies a hybrid arrangement typical of Alder Lake. The i7-11700 has 8 cores and 16 threads, a conventional homogeneous design. Both have the same L1 cache at 80 KB per core, but the L2 cache differs: 1.25 MB per core on the i5-12500H versus 512 KB per core on the i7-11700. The shared L3 cache also differs, with 18 MB on the i5-12500H and 16 MB on the i7-11700.

The integrated graphics are different as well. The i5-12500H uses Iris Xe 80EU, while the i7-11700 carries UHD Graphics 750. The i5-12500H supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, whereas the i7-11700 is limited to DDR4. The process node advantage for the i5-12500H, 10 nm versus 14 nm, likely contributes to its higher efficiency despite the 45 W TDP versus 65 W for the i7-11700. The die size also reflects this: 217 mm² for the i5-12500H versus 276 mm² for the i7-11700. Both are non-unlocked parts, meaning the multiplier is locked.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show clear separation between the two processors. The i5-12500H has 12 cores and 16 threads, while the i7-11700 has 8 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are identical at 2.50 GHz for both, but the boost clock differs: 4.50 GHz for the i5-12500H and 4.90 GHz for the i7-11700. The i5-12500H has a TDP of 45 W, the i7-11700 has a TDP of 65 W.

The socket is a major divider. The i5-12500H uses Intel BGA 1744, which is a soldered mobile socket. The i7-11700 uses Intel Socket 1200, a desktop platform. The process node is 10 nm for the i5-12500H and 14 nm for the i7-11700. Cache configurations differ: the i5-12500H has 1.25 MB L2 per core and 18 MB shared L3, while the i7-11700 has 512 KB L2 per core and 16 MB shared L3. Memory support is broader on the i5-12500H, accepting both DDR4 and DDR5, whereas the i7-11700 only supports DDR4. The i7-11700 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, a figure not listed for the i5-12500H.

PCIe support is identical: Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). Both lack ECC memory support. The integrated graphics differ as noted. The i7-11700 has a launch MSRP of $323, which is the only pricing data available. The i5-12500H has no recorded launch MSRP. The i5-12500H is marked Active in production, while the i7-11700 is End-of-life. The part numbers are SRLCY for the i5-12500H and SRKNS for the i7-11700.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data reveals a clear pattern: the i7-11700 dominates 3DMark threaded tests, while the i5-12500H wins every Cinebench test. The largest wins for the i7-11700 are in 3DMark 8-thread, where it scores 5640 versus 4394, a 22.1% lead. It also takes 3DMark 16-thread with 7624 against 5954, a 21.9% gap, and 3DMark max-threads with 7640 versus 6043, a 20.9% lead. Even in 3DMark 2-thread and single-thread, the i7-11700 edges ahead, by 3% and 2.6% respectively.

The i5-12500H counters strongly in Cinebench. It leads by 13.3% in Cinebench R15 multi-core (1999 versus 1764), by 13.7% in R15 single-core (282 versus 248), by 13.3% in R20 multi-core (8332 versus 7351), by 13.4% in R20 single-core (1176 versus 1037), by 13.3% in R23 multi-core (19840 versus 17504), and by 13.4% in R23 single-core (2801 versus 2471). These are consistent margins, suggesting an architectural advantage in rendering-style workloads.

In PassMark tests, the split is more nuanced. The i5-12500H wins data encryption by 16.1% (14749 versus 12704), floating-point math by 12.6% (52227 versus 46369), physics by 17.3% (1018 versus 868), find prime numbers by 3.6% (57 versus 55), and single-thread by 4.8% (3418 versus 3263). The i7-11700 wins data compression by 3.8% (263563 versus 253431), extended instructions by 18.3% (18323 versus 14965), integer math by 10% (79687 versus 71714), multithread by a razor-thin 0.2% (20672 versus 20625), and random string sorting by 6.8% (30147 versus 28099).

The overall wins tally at 12 for the i5-12500H and 11 for the i7-11700, but the margins tell the story: the i7-11700's wins are often larger in percentage terms, particularly in 3DMark, while the i5-12500H's wins are concentrated in rendering and encryption.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-12500H wins in scenarios that benefit from its hybrid core architecture, larger L2 and L3 caches, and newer 10 nm process. It is the stronger choice for Cinebench rendering, where it leads by over 13% in every multi-core and single-core test. It also wins in data encryption, floating-point math, and physics workloads, with leads of 16.1%, 12.6%, and 17.3% respectively. If your primary use is video editing, 3D rendering, scientific computing, or any task that relies on floating-point throughput, the i5-12500H is the data-backed pick. Its single-thread advantage, 4.8% in PassMark and 13.4% in Cinebench R23, also makes it better for snappy everyday responsiveness and lightly threaded applications.

The Intel Core i7-11700 wins in 3DMark threaded tests by substantial margins, which points to strengths in certain gaming or simulation scenarios that scale with thread count. It leads by 22.1% in 8-thread workloads, a notable gap. It also wins in integer math by 10% and extended instructions by 18.3%, making it suitable for code compilation, compression tools, and any workload relying on SIMD or integer-heavy processing. Its 4.90 GHz boost clock, higher than the i5-12500H's 4.50 GHz, likely contributes to its wins in latency-sensitive 2-thread and 4-thread 3DMark tests. For a desktop user with an existing Socket 1200 motherboard, the i7-11700 offers competitive multithread performance, its PassMark multithread score of 20672 is nearly identical to the i5-12500H's 20625, with only a 0.2% difference. The i7-11700 also wins in data compression and random string sorting, so it handles archival and database-type tasks slightly better.

The verdict from the data is straightforward. The i5-12500H is the better mobile processor and the better overall choice for modern, mixed workloads. The i7-11700 remains a strong desktop option for those already on the Socket 1200 platform, particularly for integer and instruction-heavy tasks. Choose based on your platform and workload, not on general reputation.