Intel Core i5-12600HX vs Intel Core i7-12800HX Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Core i7-12800HX and Intel Core i5-12600HX share the same Alder Lake-HX architecture, but the data positions them for different workloads. The i7-12800HX wins 15 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, while the i5-12600HX takes only 2. The i7-12800HX is the clear choice for multithreaded productivity, content creation, and any task that scales across cores. Its advantage in Cinebench R15 multicore is massive: 3383 versus 2087, a 62.1% lead. In Cinebench R20 multicore, the margin is 27.7% (11111 versus 8699), and in Cinebench R23 multicore it narrows to 8.4% (22456 versus 20714). For users running rendering, compilation, or scientific workloads, the i7-12800HX is the stronger pick.

The i5-12600HX, however, has a notable edge in single-core Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 singlecore, it scores 294 versus 260, an 11.6% advantage. In Cinebench R23 singlecore, the lead grows to 38% (2924 versus 1812). This suggests the i5-12600HX is better suited for lightly threaded tasks and applications sensitive to single-thread performance, such as legacy software or certain game engines. The i7-12800HX still wins PassMark single-thread by a slim 2.4% (3711 versus 3623), so the i5's Cinebench single-core wins are workload-specific rather than universal.

The i7-12800HX also carries a higher launch MSRP of $457, while the i5-12600HX launches at $284. Both share the same 55 W TDP, same socket, and same integrated graphics. The i7-12800HX offers 16 cores and 24 threads versus 12 cores and 16 threads on the i5-12600HX, which explains most of the multithreaded gap. The i5-12600HX does support ECC memory, while the i7-12800HX does not, making the i5 more attractive for certain reliability-focused mobile workstations. In summary, pick the i7-12800HX for maximum parallel performance and the i5-12600HX for single-core Cinebench results and ECC memory support.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-12800HX has 16 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core i5-12600HX has 12 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Which CPU wins in most benchmarks?

A: The i7-12800HX wins 15 out of 17 head-to-head benchmarks. The i5-12600HX wins only 2, specifically Cinebench R15 singlecore and Cinebench R23 singlecore.

Q: How large is the multithreaded performance gap in Cinebench R20?

A: The i7-12800HX scores 11111 in Cinebench R20 multicore versus 8699 for the i5-12600HX, a 27.7% difference.

Q: Does the i5-12600HX have any single-core advantage?

A: Yes, in Cinebench R15 singlecore it scores 294 versus 260 for the i7-12800HX, an 11.6% lead. In Cinebench R23 singlecore the lead is 38% (2924 versus 1812).

Q: Do both CPUs support the same memory types?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory with a dual-channel memory bus. The i5-12600HX also supports ECC memory, while the i7-12800HX does not.

Q: What is the difference in L3 cache size?

A: The i7-12800HX has 25 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-12600HX has 18 MB of shared L3 cache.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's Alder Lake architecture with the Alder Lake-HX codename, manufactured on a 10 nm process at Intel. The die size is identical at 215 mm², and both use the Intel BGA 1964 socket. The core counts differ significantly: the i7-12800HX packs 16 cores and 24 threads, while the i5-12600HX has 12 cores and 16 threads. This core differential is the primary architectural driver behind the multithreaded benchmark deltas.

Cache hierarchy is another key difference. Both CPUs share the same per-core L1 cache at 80 KB and per-core L2 cache at 1.25 MB, but the shared L3 cache differs: 25 MB on the i7-12800HX versus 18 MB on the i5-12600HX. The larger L3 pool on the i7-12800HX can improve hit rates for workloads with larger working sets. Both are unlocked for overclocking, and both carry the same PCIe configuration: Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU.

The integrated graphics are identical, with both featuring UHD Graphics 770. Memory support is also the same, with DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode. The i5-12600HX adds ECC memory support, which the i7-12800HX lacks. This is a functional architectural difference that could matter for error-sensitive compute tasks. Both CPUs share the same production status (Active) and were released on the same date, 2022-05-09.

Specification Differences

The recorded data shows the following differences between the two processors:

• Cores: 16 on the i7-12800HX versus 12 on the i5-12600HX.
• Threads: 24 on the i7-12800HX versus 16 on the i5-12600HX.
• Base clock: 2000.00 MHz on the i7-12800HX versus 2500.00 MHz on the i5-12600HX.
• Boost clock: 4.80 GHz on the i7-12800HX versus 4.60 GHz on the i5-12600HX.
• L3 cache: 25 MB shared on the i7-12800HX versus 18 MB shared on the i5-12600HX.
• ECC memory: Not supported on the i7-12800HX, supported on the i5-12600HX.
• Launch MSRP: $457 for the i7-12800HX, $284 for the i5-12600HX.
• Part number: SRLGL for the i7-12800HX, SRLGJ for the i5-12600HX.

Fields that are identical include TDP (55 W), socket (Intel BGA 1964), architecture (Alder Lake), foundry (Intel), process node (10 nm), memory support (DDR4, DDR5), memory bus (dual-channel), PCIe configuration (Gen 5, 20 lanes), integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), market segment (Mobile), and production status (Active). The base clock difference is notable: the i5-12600HX starts at a higher 2500 MHz, but the i7-12800HX boosts higher to 4.80 GHz, which partially explains the mixed single-thread results.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i7-12800HX dominates the multithreaded and compute-heavy tests. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7 scores 3383 against 2087 for the i5, a 62.1% margin, the largest win in the entire comparison. PassMark floating point math shows a 40.7% advantage (82122 versus 58378), and PassMark integer math is 38.6% ahead (109968 versus 79339). Extended instruction workloads favor the i7 by 37.1% (23760 versus 17328). Data compression also leans heavily toward the i7: 387535 versus 292256, a 32.6% lead. Prime number finding shows a 30.1% edge (108 versus 83), and random string sorting is 28.2% ahead (42453 versus 33110).

The i7-12800HX also wins PassMark multithread by 28% (31585 versus 24681), Cinebench R20 multicore by 27.7% (11111 versus 8699), and data encryption by 25.5% (21972 versus 17506). PassMark physics shows a 15.9% advantage (1743 versus 1504). Even the single-thread PassMark tests go to the i7, albeit narrowly: 3711 versus 3623, a 2.4% margin. Cinebench R20 singlecore is also won by the i7, scoring 1568 versus 1228, a 27.7% lead. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the i7 wins by a smaller 8.4% (22456 versus 20714), indicating that this particular workload scales less dramatically with the extra cores.

The i5-12600HX takes the two Cinebench single-core tests. In Cinebench R15 singlecore, it scores 294 against 260, an 11.6% win. In Cinebench R23 singlecore, the margin is much larger at 38% (2924 versus 1812). These results are surprising given the i7's higher boost clock and its narrow PassMark single-thread win. The divergence likely stems from how Cinebench's single-core test interacts with the core configuration and cache hierarchy. The i5's higher base clock (2500 MHz versus 2000 MHz) may also contribute to its single-core Cinebench performance.

The overall average benchmark scores reflect the i7's broader strength: 33875 for the i7-12800HX versus 33375 for the i5-12600HX. The i7 sits at the 84th percentile among all CPUs, while the i5 is at the 83rd percentile. The i7's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon 6353P (average score 33844, within 0.1%) and the AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT (33736, 0.4% behind the i7). The i5's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS (33244, 0.4% behind the i5) and the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H (33537, 0.5% ahead of the i5). These percentile positions show both CPUs are competitive in the broader mobile landscape, but the i7-12800HX holds a consistent edge in the head-to-head comparison.