Intel Core i5-12600HX vs Intel Core Ultra 7 165H Comparison

The benchmark data presents a clear split between these two mobile Intel processors. The Core Ultra 7 165H and the Core i5-12600HX are closely matched overall, but they achieve their results through very different means and win in different types of workloads. The Core Ultra 7 165H wins 9 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Core i5-12600HX wins the remaining 8. The Core Ultra 7 165H excels in sustained multi-threaded and math-heavy tasks, while the Core i5-12600HX demonstrates superior raw single-core speed in several key CPU benchmarks.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 7 165H establishes its dominance in multi-threaded workloads and complex mathematical computations. Its most significant victory comes in the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, where it scores 2641 against the Core i5-12600HX's 2087, a substantial 26.5% lead. This pattern repeats across other multi-threaded tests, though with smaller margins. The Core Ultra 7 165H also wins the PassMark multi-thread test with a score of 25933, a 5.1% advantage over the 24681 scored by the Core i5-12600HX. The data shows the Core Ultra 7 165H is particularly strong in prime number finding, scoring 118 versus 83, a commanding 42.2% lead. Floating point math also favors the Core Ultra 7 165H, with its 66273 score beating the 58378 of the Core i5-12600HX by 13.5%, and integer math follows suit with an 89415 score against 79339, a 12.7% edge.

The Core i5-12600HX, conversely, takes the crown in single-core performance and Cinebench R23 workloads. The single-core results are decisive. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Core i5-12600HX scores 294 versus 257 for the Core Ultra 7 165H, a 12.6% advantage. The gap widens considerably in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Core i5-12600HX posts 2924 against 1759, a massive 39.8% lead. Even in the PassMark single-thread test, the Core i5-12600HX maintains its edge with 3623 over 3509, a 3.1% difference. The most striking win for the Core i5-12600HX is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 20714 against the Core Ultra 7 165H's 14551, a 29.8% victory, which is surprising given the results of other multi-core tests.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and use fundamentally different designs. The Intel Core Ultra 7 165H is based on the Meteor Lake architecture, built on a 7 nm process node, while the Intel Core i5-12600HX uses the Alder Lake-HX architecture on a 10 nm process. The Core Ultra 7 165H features 16 cores and 22 threads, whereas the Core i5-12600HX has 12 cores and 16 threads, giving the newer chip a significant core and thread count advantage. This is reflected in the cache hierarchy: the Core Ultra 7 165H has 112 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core i5-12600HX has smaller caches, with 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The die size also differs, with the Core i5-12600HX measuring 215 mm², while the die size for the Core Ultra 7 165H is not recorded in the database.

The integrated graphics solutions are another major differentiator. The Core Ultra 7 165H carries Arc Xe-LPG with 128 execution units, while the Core i5-12600HX is equipped with UHD Graphics 770. Memory support also differs: the Core Ultra 7 165H supports DDR5 memory dependent on the motherboard, while the Core i5-12600HX supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The memory bandwidth for the Core Ultra 7 165H is recorded at 89.6 GB/s, while no bandwidth figure is listed for the Core i5-12600HX. PCIe lane allocation shows a notable difference, with the Core i5-12600HX offering Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only) versus 8 lanes for the Core Ultra 7 165H. The Core i5-12600HX also supports ECC memory, a feature the Core Ultra 7 165H lacks, and has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, whereas the Core Ultra 7 165H is locked.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 165H has 16 cores and 22 threads, while the Intel Core i5-12600HX has 12 cores and 16 threads.

Q: How do they compare in single-core performance?

A: The Core i5-12600HX wins all single-core tests in the database. It leads by 12.6% in Cinebench R15 single-core, by 39.8% in Cinebench R23 single-core, and by 3.1% in the PassMark single-thread test.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Core i5-12600HX is 39.8% ahead of the Core Ultra 7 165H. The second-largest gap is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Core Ultra 7 165H is 42.2% ahead of the Core i5-12600HX.

Q: Which chip has the higher boost clock?

A: The Core Ultra 7 165H has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, while the Core i5-12600HX has a boost clock of 4.60 GHz.

Q: Do both processors have the same socket?

A: No. The Core Ultra 7 165H uses Intel BGA 2049, while the Core i5-12600HX uses Intel BGA 1964.

Q: What is the difference in TDP?

A: The Core Ultra 7 165H has a TDP of 28 watts, while the Core i5-12600HX has a TDP of 55 watts.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several core specifications. The Core Ultra 7 165H has 16 cores and 22 threads, versus 12 cores and 16 threads for the Core i5-12600HX. The base clock is significantly higher on the Core Ultra 7 165H at 3.80 GHz, compared to 2.50 GHz on the Core i5-12600HX. The boost clock also favors the Core Ultra 7 165H, reaching 5.00 GHz against 4.60 GHz. The TDP is lower on the Core Ultra 7 165H at 28 watts, while the Core i5-12600HX draws 55 watts.

The cache sizes are larger on the Core Ultra 7 165H across all levels. L1 cache is 112 KB per core versus 80 KB per core, L2 cache is 2 MB per core versus 1.25 MB per core, and shared L3 cache is 24 MB versus 18 MB. The process node is smaller on the Core Ultra 7 165H at 7 nm, compared to 10 nm for the Core i5-12600HX. The die size is only recorded for the Core i5-12600HX at 215 mm². The socket is different, with BGA 2049 on the Core Ultra 7 165H and BGA 1964 on the Core i5-12600HX.

Memory support varies: the Core Ultra 7 165H supports DDR5 only, while the Core i5-12600HX supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The memory bandwidth for the Core Ultra 7 165H is 89.6 GB/s, with no figure listed for the Core i5-12600HX. ECC memory is supported on the Core i5-12600HX but not on the Core Ultra 7 165H. PCIe capabilities differ substantially, with the Core i5-12600HX providing Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only) versus Gen 5 with 8 lanes for the Core Ultra 7 165H. The integrated graphics are Arc Xe-LPG 128EU on the Core Ultra 7 165H and UHD Graphics 770 on the Core i5-12600HX. The multiplier is unlocked on the Core i5-12600HX but locked on the Core Ultra 7 165H.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results present a fascinating contradiction. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core Ultra 7 165H dominates with a 26.5% lead, scoring 2641 versus 2087. The Core Ultra 7 165H also wins Cinebench R20 multi-core, scoring 9233 against 8699, a 6.1% margin. However, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the results flip dramatically. The Core i5-12600HX scores 20714, which is 29.8% higher than the Core Ultra 7 165H's 14551. This inconsistency suggests the two processors handle sustained workloads differently, with the Core i5-12600HX showing exceptional performance in the R23 test despite its lower core count.

Single-core Cinebench results consistently favor the Core i5-12600HX. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 294 versus 257, a 12.6% advantage. The gap grows in Cinebench R20 single-core, though the Core Ultra 7 165H actually wins this test with 1303 against 1228, a 6.1% lead. But the most extreme difference appears in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Core i5-12600HX's 2924 score crushes the Core Ultra 7 165H's 1759, representing a 39.8% gap.

The PassMark suite shows a more balanced picture. The Core Ultra 7 165H wins multiple math-intensive tests: find prime numbers by 42.2%, floating point math by 13.5%, and integer math by 12.7%. It also wins PassMark physics with 1806 against 1504, a 20.1% margin, and PassMark multi-thread with 25933 versus 24681, a 5.1% edge. The Core i5-12600HX wins the remaining PassMark tests by narrow margins: data compression by 0.4%, data encryption by 1.9%, extended instructions by 0.2%, random string sorting by 1.1%, and single-thread by 3.1%. These results show that while the Core Ultra 7 165H excels in raw computational power, the Core i5-12600HX is competitive in memory and data handling tasks.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear choice based on workload priorities. The Intel Core Ultra 7 165H is the stronger processor for multi-threaded, math-heavy applications. It wins the PassMark multi-thread test, dominates in prime number finding, floating point math, and integer math, and shows a significant edge in Cinebench R15 multi-core. Its 16 cores and 22 threads, combined with a 5.00 GHz boost clock and larger caches, make it well-suited for parallel processing tasks. The Core Ultra 7 165H also operates at a lower 28 watt TDP, which may be relevant for system design considerations.

The Intel Core i5-12600HX is the better choice for single-core performance and specific legacy workloads. It wins every single-thread test in the database, with its most dramatic victory being a 39.8% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core. It also wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by a wide margin, suggesting it handles certain sustained workloads better despite having fewer cores. The Core i5-12600HX offers additional flexibility with DDR4 and DDR5 memory support, ECC memory compatibility, and an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. It also provides more PCIe lanes, with 20 lanes versus 8 lanes for the Core Ultra 7 165H. Users prioritizing maximum single-core speed, memory flexibility, or overclocking capability should lean toward the Core i5-12600HX, while those focused on multi-threaded math performance will find the Core Ultra 7 165H to be the superior option.