Intel Core i5-12500H vs Intel Core i7-1270P Comparison

The Intel Core i5-12500H and Intel Core i7-1270P are both 12-core, 16-thread Alder Lake mobile processors, but the benchmark data reveals they are tuned for very different roles. While both sit at the 76th percentile among all CPUs and have nearly identical average benchmark scores (22625 vs 22502), the head-to-head results show a dominant pattern: the i5-12500H wins 15 of 17 comparisons, often by massive margins, while the i7-1270P claims just two narrow victories. This is a tale of a high-power H-series part versus a lower-power P-series part, and the data quantifies exactly where that power budget goes.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking finding is the consistency of the i5-12500H’s advantage across Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5 scores 19840 against the i7-1270P’s 13938, a delta of 42.3%. That same 42.4% gap appears in Cinebench R15 multi-core (1999 vs 1404), R20 multi-core (8332 vs 5853), and even in single-core tests: R23 single-core shows 2801 vs 1967, R20 single-core 1176 vs 826, and R15 single-core 282 vs 198. The uniformity of that ~42% delta across every Cinebench iteration is remarkable — it suggests the performance difference is structural, not workload-specific.

The i5-12500H extends its lead into PassMark’s suite with similarly large margins. Data compression shows 253431 vs 184917, a 37.1% advantage. Extended instructions (SIMD-heavy workloads) favor the i5 by 41.5% (14965 vs 10575). Random string sorting, a test sensitive to memory latency and cache efficiency, sees the i5 ahead by 36.8% (28099 vs 20546). Even data encryption, which often scales with core count, shows a 30.8% gap (14749 vs 11276).

The margins shrink in some integer-heavy tasks. Integer math sees the i5 at 71714 vs 63016, a 13.8% lead. Floating-point math shows 52227 vs 43168, a 21% advantage. The PassMark multi-thread score (20625 vs 16957) reflects a 21.6% gap, and single-thread performance is nearly tied: 3418 vs 3354, just 1.9% apart. That near-parity in single-thread scores, combined with the massive multi-thread differences, points to the i5’s higher sustained power envelope being the key differentiator.

The i7-1270P’s only two wins are curious. In PassMark’s find prime numbers test, it scores 66 vs the i5’s 57, a -13.6% delta (meaning the i7 wins by 13.6%). In PassMark physics, it posts 1120 vs 1018, a -9.1% delta. These are not typical multi-threaded rendering tasks; they appear to be specialized workloads where the i7’s higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz (versus 4.50 GHz) might play a role, or where the workload is less sensitive to sustained power draw. The data shows that in these two narrow cases, the i7’s tuning wins out.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-12500H is the clear winner for any sustained, multi-threaded workload. Cinebench scores — which reflect long-form rendering — are 42% higher across the board. Content creation, 3D rendering, video encoding, and software compilation would all see massive benefits from the i5. The PassMark data compression and encryption results reinforce this: the i5 is 30-37% faster in these data-heavy tasks. For anyone running parallel batch jobs or CPU-bound professional applications, the i5-12500H is the obvious choice.

The i7-1270P’s wins are more niche. Its 13.6% advantage in find prime numbers and 9.1% lead in physics suggest it may have an edge in certain single-threaded or bursty workloads that don’t require sustained power draw. Given its higher boost clock (4.80 GHz vs 4.50 GHz), the i7 can hit higher instantaneous frequencies, which could explain these wins. However, the i5 still wins the traditional single-thread PassMark test by 1.9%, so the i7’s advantage is not universal. The i7-1270P’s lower TDP (28W vs 45W) also means it would generate less heat and draw less power, making it more suitable for thin-and-light laptops where sustained performance is secondary to portability.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-12500H has an average benchmark score of 22625, while the Intel Core i7-1270P scores 22502. The difference is 0.5% in favor of the i5.

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

A: The i5-12500H scores 19840 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the i7-1270P scores 13938. This gives the i5 a 42.3% advantage.

Q: In which benchmarks does the i7-1270P outperform the i5-12500H?

A: The i7-1270P wins exactly two head-to-head tests: PassMark find prime numbers (66 vs 57, a 13.6% lead) and PassMark physics (1120 vs 1018, a 9.1% lead).

Q: Do the two CPUs have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both the i5-12500H and i7-1270P feature 12 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What is the difference in their boost clocks?

A: The i7-1270P has a boost clock of 4.80 GHz, while the i5-12500H boosts to 4.50 GHz. The base clocks differ as well, with the i5 at 2.50 GHz and the i7 at 2.20 GHz.

Q: How do their integrated graphics compare?

A: The i7-1270P features Iris Xe 96EU graphics, while the i5-12500H comes with Iris Xe 80EU. The i7 has more execution units.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications beyond their names. The i5-12500H has a base clock of 2.50 GHz, while the i7-1270P runs at 2.20 GHz. However, the i7 counters with a higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz versus the i5’s 4.50 GHz. The TDP is the most significant differentiator: the i5-12500H is rated at 45W, while the i7-1270P sips at 28W. This 17W gap likely explains the i5’s sustained performance advantage in multi-threaded tests.

The integrated graphics also differ: the i5-12500H ships with Iris Xe 80EU, while the i7-1270P has Iris Xe 96EU — a 16EU advantage for the i7. The part numbers are distinct (SRLCY for the i5, SRLD7 for the i7), and their codenames differ within the same Alder Lake family: the i5 uses Alder Lake-H, while the i7 uses Alder Lake-P. The i7 has a release date of February 22, 2022, while the i5’s release date is not listed in the data. All other core specifications — socket (Intel BGA 1744), process node (10 nm), die size (217 mm²), cache layout (80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, 18 MB shared L3), memory support (DDR4, DDR5), memory bus (dual-channel), PCIe (Gen 4, 20 lanes), ECC support (false), and unlocked multiplier (false) — are identical.

Architecture Differences

Both CPUs are built on Intel’s Alder Lake architecture at a 10 nm process node, fabricated by Intel, with the same 217 mm² die size. The core configuration is identical: 12 cores, 16 threads, with the same cache hierarchy. The memory support is also the same — DDR4 and DDR5, dual-channel. The key architectural difference lies in their market segmentation within the Alder Lake family. The i5-12500H is an Alder Lake-H part, designed for high-performance laptops with a 45W TDP. The i7-1270P is an Alder Lake-P part, optimized for power efficiency at 28W TDP.

This power difference is the most consequential architectural divergence. The 45W TDP of the i5 allows it to maintain higher clock speeds across all cores for longer periods, which directly translates to the ~42% Cinebench lead. The i7’s 28W TDP forces it to throttle earlier under sustained load, despite having a higher boost clock. The integrated graphics also differ architecturally: the i7’s Iris Xe 96EU has more execution units than the i5’s Iris Xe 80EU, suggesting the i7 may have better iGPU performance for light gaming or media tasks, though no benchmark data covers this. Both CPUs share the same PCIe Gen 4 configuration with 20 lanes and lack ECC memory support.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-12500H is the stronger processor for demanding, multi-threaded workloads. Its 42.4% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core (19840 vs 13938) and similar margins across all Cinebench tests make it the pick for rendering, video editing, and any CPU-intensive professional task. The PassMark suite reinforces this with 21-37% advantages in multi-thread, integer math, floating-point math, compression, and encryption. Users who need raw sustained performance should choose the i5-12500H without hesitation.

The Intel Core i7-1270P, despite its lower average score, is not without merit. Its 28W TDP makes it far more suitable for ultraportable laptops where battery life and thermal management are paramount. Its wins in find prime numbers (66 vs 57) and physics (1120 vs 1018) hint at an edge in specific bursty or lightly-threaded tasks, likely due to its higher 4.80 GHz boost clock. For users who prioritize portability and light productivity over sustained multi-core performance, the i7-1270P is the rational choice. However, for anyone who asks “which is faster?”, the answer is overwhelmingly the i5-12500H — the data shows it wins 15 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, often by margins exceeding 30%.