Intel Core i7-12650H vs Intel Core Ultra 5 135H Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 5 135H and Intel Core i7-12650H are closely matched mobile processors, with the benchmark data showing a near-split decision. The Core i7-12650H wins 10 of the 17 head-to-head tests, but the Core Ultra 5 135H takes the more modern workloads by larger margins. Overall average benchmark scores are nearly identical: the Core Ultra 5 135H posts an average of 29093, while the Core i7-12650H sits at 28815, a difference of less than 1%. The Core Ultra 5 135H holds an 81st percentile ranking versus the i7-12650H’s 80th, placing both in the same performance tier. This is not a generational leap; it is a shift in workload strengths.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Core Ultra 5 135H’s biggest win comes in PassMark’s random string sorting, where it scores 28980 against the i7-12650H’s 26591, a 9% advantage. This is its most decisive victory and indicates superior memory or cache handling in data-intensive sorting tasks. It also wins PassMark data encryption by 7% (15026 vs 14041), showing a clear edge in security-related workloads. In PassMark physics, the Core Ultra 5 135H leads by 3.6% (1482 vs 1430), and in PassMark multithread it wins by 2.1% (22422 vs 21962). The Cinebench R20 results favor the Core Ultra 5 135H as well: it leads both multi-core by 3% (7834 vs 7608) and single-core by 3% (1105 vs 1073).

The Core i7-12650H, however, dominates the Cinebench R15 and R23 suites. It wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 7.2% (1851.5 vs 1718) and single-core by 2.4% (250 vs 244). In Cinebench R23, it takes multi-core by 1.6% (12074 vs 11875.5) and single-core by 3.6% (1763 vs 1700). The i7-12650H also edges out the Core Ultra 5 135H in PassMark extended instructions by 2.7% (15438 vs 15028) and in PassMark find prime numbers by 2.2% (91 vs 89). The remaining wins for the i7-12650H are narrow: floating point math by 0.1% (54934 vs 54867), integer math by 0.2% (73641 vs 73509), and single-thread by 0.5% (3539 vs 3521).

The data reveals a pattern: the Core i7-12650H wins legacy Cinebench tests and raw math throughput, while the Core Ultra 5 135H wins in PassMark’s multithread, encryption, and sorting benchmarks. The largest delta in either direction is the 9% sorting win for the Core Ultra 5 135H, followed by the 7.2% Cinebench R15 multi-core win for the Core i7-12650H. The Core Ultra 5 135H’s data compression win is marginal at 0.6% (251651 vs 250026), and its PassMark multithread win at 2.1% is more substantial.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 5 135H is the pick for modern, mixed-thread workloads. Its 9% lead in random string sorting and 7% lead in data encryption point to superior memory subsystem performance. The 3.6% win in PassMark physics suggests better handling of simulation or game-physics tasks. The 3% wins in both Cinebench R20 multi-core and single-core indicate a balanced improvement over the older chip in that specific benchmark version. For users running PassMark multithread tests, the Core Ultra 5 135H’s 2.1% advantage is notable, as is its overall higher average benchmark score of 29093.

The Core i7-12650H is the stronger choice for legacy Cinebench loads and pure math operations. Its 7.2% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core is the largest margin in the entire head-to-head set, showing that older render engines favor its architecture. The 3.6% single-core win in Cinebench R23 and 2.7% win in extended instructions reinforce this. For integer math, floating point math, and prime number finding, the i7-12650H is consistently ahead, though by less than 1% in the math tests. The i7-12650H also holds a narrow 0.5% single-thread advantage in PassMark, making it marginally better for lightly threaded applications.

The split is clear: the Core Ultra 5 135H wins where memory latency and encryption matter, while the Core i7-12650H wins where raw core count or older instruction paths are used. The Core Ultra 5 135H wins 7 tests; the Core i7-12650H wins 10. Neither chip is a universal winner, and the choice depends entirely on the workload mix.

Architecture Differences

The Core Ultra 5 135H uses the Meteor Lake architecture on Intel’s 7 nm process, while the Core i7-12650H uses Alder Lake-H on Intel’s 10 nm process. This process difference is significant: the newer 7 nm node allows the Core Ultra 5 135H to pack 14 cores and 18 threads into a 28 W TDP, whereas the Core i7-12650H has 10 cores and 16 threads at a 45 W TDP. The Core Ultra 5 135H has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and boost clock of 4.60 GHz; the Core i7-12650H has a lower base clock of 2.30 GHz but a higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The Core Ultra 5 135H has 112 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core, with 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core i7-12650H has 80 KB of L1 per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, but a larger 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The die size is listed only for the i7-12650H at 217 mm²; no die size is given for the Core Ultra 5 135H.

Memory support also diverges. The Core Ultra 5 135H supports DDR5 with bandwidth dependent on the motherboard, running dual-channel at 89.6 GB/s. The Core i7-12650H supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, but no memory bandwidth figure is provided. PCIe lanes differ: the Core Ultra 5 135H offers Gen 5 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the Core i7-12650H offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics are a major differentiator: the Core Ultra 5 135H has Arc Xe-LPG 96EU, while the Core i7-12650H has UHD Graphics. Both are mobile parts with soldered BGA sockets, but the Core Ultra 5 135H uses BGA 2049 and the Core i7-12650H uses BGA 1744.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 135H has 14 cores and 18 threads, while the Intel Core i7-12650H has 10 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?

A: The Core Ultra 5 135H has an average benchmark score of 29093, and the Core i7-12650H has an average score of 28815, a difference of 278 points.

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

A: The Intel Core i7-12650H wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with a score of 12074, compared to the Core Ultra 5 135H’s 11875.5, a 1.6% advantage.

Q: How much faster is the Core Ultra 5 135H in data encryption?

A: The Core Ultra 5 135H scores 15026 in PassMark data encryption, which is 7% faster than the Core i7-12650H’s 14041.

Q: Does the Core i7-12650H have a higher boost clock?

A: Yes, the Core i7-12650H has a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, while the Core Ultra 5 135H boosts to 4.60 GHz.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The Core Ultra 5 135H has a TDP of 28 W, and the Core i7-12650H has a TDP of 45 W.

The Verdict

The data supports choosing the Intel Core Ultra 5 135H for users who prioritize encryption, sorting, and modern multithreaded PassMark workloads. Its 9% lead in random string sorting and 7% lead in data encryption are the largest wins in the comparison, and its higher average benchmark score (29093 vs 28815) gives it the overall edge. The Core Ultra 5 135H also offers a more efficient 28 W TDP, making it suitable for thinner laptops without sacrificing multithread performance. Its 14 cores and 18 threads provide more parallel capacity than the i7-12650H’s 10 cores and 16 threads.

The Intel Core i7-12650H is the better pick for legacy Cinebench rendering and raw math throughput. Its 7.2% win in Cinebench R15 multi-core and 3.6% win in Cinebench R23 single-core show that older software still favors its design. The i7-12650H also wins 10 of the 17 head-to-head tests, though many by margins under 3%. Its larger 24 MB L3 cache and higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz contribute to these wins. For users running Cinebench R15 or R23 specifically, the i7-12650H is the safer choice.

Neither chip is a clear winner. The Core Ultra 5 135H is the more balanced, modern part with better encryption and sorting performance, while the Core i7-12650H excels in legacy benchmarks and single-threaded Cinebench tests. The Core Ultra 5 135H’s 81st percentile ranking versus the i7-12650H’s 80th confirms they sit in the same performance class, with the Core Ultra 5 135H pulling ahead in aggregate score. Pick the Core Ultra 5 135H for new, mixed workloads; pick the Core i7-12650H for older render engines and math-heavy tasks.

Specification Differences

• Cores: 14 (Core Ultra 5 135H) vs 10 (Core i7-12650H)
• Threads: 18 vs 16
• Base Clock: 3.60 GHz vs 2.30 GHz
• Boost Clock: 4.60 GHz vs 4.70 GHz
• TDP: 28 W vs 45 W
• Process Node: 7 nm vs 10 nm
• L1 Cache: 112 KB per core vs 80 KB per core
• L2 Cache: 2 MB per core vs 1.25 MB per core
• L3 Cache: 18 MB shared vs 24 MB shared
• Memory Support: DDR5 (motherboard dependent) vs DDR4, DDR5
• Memory Bandwidth: 89.6 GB/s vs not listed
• PCIe: Gen 5, 8 Lanes vs Gen 4, 20 Lanes
• Integrated Graphics: Arc Xe-LPG 96EU vs UHD Graphics
• Socket: Intel BGA 2049 vs Intel BGA 1744
• Die Size: not listed vs 217 mm²
• Release Date: 2023-12-13 vs not listed
• Launch MSRP: $342 vs not listed