Intel Core i5-13490F vs Intel Core i7-12650H Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-13490F boosts to 4.80 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-12650H reaches 4.70 GHz. The desktop chip holds a 0.10 GHz advantage in maximum frequency.

Q: Are these two CPUs comparable in core count?

A: Yes, both processors feature 10 cores and 16 threads. The core and thread configuration is identical, which makes the benchmark differences particularly notable.

Q: Which chip wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i5-13490F scores 22,747 versus 12,074 for the i7-12650H. That is a 46.9% advantage for the desktop part in the most demanding multi-threaded render test.

Q: Does the i7-12650H have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes UHD Graphics. The Core i5-13490F has no integrated graphics, which means it requires a discrete GPU for any display output.

Q: What memory types do these CPUs support?

A: Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration. Neither supports ECC memory.

Q: Which chip has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The i5-13490F averages 28,185 across its benchmark suite, while the i7-12650H averages 28,815. Despite the i5 winning every head-to-head test, the database places the i7 slightly higher in average score due to different benchmark sets.

Architecture Differences

The Core i7-12650H belongs to the Alder Lake-H family, built on the Alder Lake architecture at Intel's 10 nm process. It is a mobile part using the Intel BGA 1744 socket and carries a 45 W TDP. The Core i5-13490F comes from Raptor Lake-S, the desktop variant of Intel's 13th Gen lineup, also on Intel's 10 nm node but with a 65 W TDP and the Intel Socket 1700.

Both chips share the same die area class, with the i7 at 217 mm² and the i5 at 215 mm². Cache structures are identical per core: 80 KB of L1 per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, plus 24 MB of shared L3. The key architectural differences are the platform, the PCIe implementation, and the presence of integrated graphics. The i7-12650H uses Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, while the i5-13490F moves to Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. The i5 has no iGPU, so it relies entirely on a separate graphics card.

The i5 also runs at higher frequencies across the board. Its base clock is 2.50 GHz versus 2.30 GHz for the i7, and its boost is 4.80 GHz versus 4.70 GHz. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not part of the equation for either part. The generation shift from Alder Lake-H to Raptor Lake-S explains the frequency and efficiency differences, even though the core and cache topology looks the same on paper.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data is one-sided. The Core i5-13490F wins all 17 recorded comparisons, but the margins vary significantly by workload. The largest gap appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the i5 scores 22,747 against 12,074 for the i7, a 46.9% difference. That is a massive lead for the desktop chip in heavily threaded rendering. Single-core R23 shows a similar story, with 3,211 versus 1,763, a 45.1% gap.

Older Cinebench versions tell the same tale with smaller margins. In R20 multi-core, the i5 leads 9,553 to 7,608, a 20.4% advantage. R20 single-core shows 1,348 versus 1,073, also 20.4%. In R15 multi-core, the i5 scores 2,292 versus 1,851.5, a 19.2% edge, and in R15 single-core it leads 323 to 250, a 22.6% gap.

PassMark results follow the same pattern. The smallest margin is in single-thread performance, where the i5 scores 3,828 versus 3,539, just 7.5% higher. Floating point math is close as well, 60,273 versus 54,934, an 8.9% advantage. Integer math shows a 12% lead for the i5, 83,723 versus 73,641. Multi-thread performance in PassMark gives the i5 a 17.3% edge, 26,569 versus 21,962.

The middle-tier workloads show consistent 20% to 26% gaps. Data encryption favors the i5 by 21.6%, 17,902 versus 14,041. Extended instructions show a 25.9% lead, 20,837 versus 15,438. Physics scores are 1,915 versus 1,430, a 25.3% difference. Random string sorting comes in at 34,042 versus 26,591, a 21.9% gap. Data compression shows 328,397 versus 250,026, a 23.9% lead for the i5. Even find prime numbers, a test that often rewards frequency, favors the i5 by 20.2%, 114 versus 91.

The overall picture is clear: the i5-13490F is faster in every measured category, with the largest advantages in modern render workloads and the smallest in single-thread and floating-point tests.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The Core i7-12650H has a base clock of 2.30 GHz, while the Core i5-13490F runs at 2.50 GHz. Boost clocks are 4.70 GHz for the i7 and 4.80 GHz for the i5. Thermal design power is 45 W for the mobile part and 65 W for the desktop part.

The socket is a major differentiator. The i7 uses Intel BGA 1744, a soldered mobile package, while the i5 uses Intel Socket 1700, a standard desktop socket. The architecture generation differs as well, Alder Lake-H for the i7 and Raptor Lake-S for the i5. The codenames reflect the platform split: Alder Lake-H for mobile and Raptor Lake-S for desktop.

PCIe support is different. The i7 provides Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, while the i5 offers Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics are present on the i7 as UHD Graphics, but the i5 has no integrated graphics at all. The i5 launched on February 9, 2023, and its launch MSRP is $235. The i7 has no recorded launch MSRP in the database. Die size is nearly identical, 217 mm² for the i7 and 215 mm² for the i5. Both use 10 nm process, 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode, and neither supports ECC.

Where Each One Wins

The Core i5-13490F wins every recorded benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. Its advantages range from 7.5% in single-thread performance to 46.9% in Cinebench R23 multi-core. This makes it the clear choice for any workload that benefits from raw CPU throughput, especially rendering, data compression, encryption, and physics simulation. The 24 MB L3 cache and higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz contribute to its consistent lead. The desktop platform also supports PCIe Gen 5, which matters for future expansion and high-bandwidth storage or GPU configurations.

The Core i7-12650H has no benchmark wins in this comparison, but it holds value in contexts the database does not measure. It includes UHD Graphics, so a system can run without a discrete GPU. It uses a mobile socket and a 45 W TDP, which suits compact and power-conscious builds. Its PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes offers more total lanes than the i5's Gen 5 with 16 lanes, which could matter for multi-device setups. The i7 also has a higher average benchmark score of 28,815 versus 28,185 for the i5, though this reflects different benchmark suites rather than direct performance.

For users who already have a discrete GPU and want maximum performance, the i5-13490F is the obvious pick. For users building a small-form-factor or laptop system where integrated graphics and lower power draw are priorities, the i7-12650H remains relevant despite losing every direct comparison.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous. The Intel Core i5-13490F outperforms the Intel Core i7-12650H in every single head-to-head benchmark recorded, from Cinebench R15 to PassMark single-thread. The largest margin is a 46.9% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is a decisive result for rendering and heavily threaded applications. Even the smallest margin, 7.5% in PassMark single-thread, favors the desktop chip. The i5 also carries a higher base clock, higher boost clock, and PCIe Gen 5 support, and it has a recorded launch MSRP of $235.

The i7-12650H is not without merit. It has integrated graphics, a lower 45 W TDP, and a mobile socket that fits laptops and compact systems. It does not win any performance comparison, but its platform characteristics make it viable for specific use cases where a discrete GPU is undesirable or where power constraints dominate. Its higher average benchmark score of 28,815 comes from a different test set, not from beating the i5 in any shared test.

The choice depends on the platform. Desktop builders with a GPU should take the i5-13490F without hesitation. Mobile buyers or those needing integrated graphics should consider the i7-12650H, but they must accept a significant performance deficit in every measurable workload.