Intel Core i7-12650HX vs Intel Core i7-12700F Comparison

The Intel Core i7-12650HX and Intel Core i7-12700F are both 12th-generation Alder Lake parts, but they target different segments: the HX is a mobile processor on Intel BGA 1964, while the F is a desktop chip on Intel Socket 1700. Benchmark data shows a clear split in their performance profiles. The 12700F wins 15 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons, while the 12650HX takes only 2. However, those two wins are substantial, particularly in Cinebench R23, where the mobile part leads by a wide margin in both multi-core and single-core tests.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the entire comparison is the Cinebench R23 single-core test. The Intel Core i7-12650HX scores 2688, while the Intel Core i7-12700F scores 1898. This gives the HX a 41.6% advantage, the largest delta of any test in the dataset. The multi-core result in the same benchmark is also decisive in favor of the mobile chip: 19043 versus 15291, a 24.5% lead. These are the only two tests where the 12650HX comes out ahead, but they are significant wins for a processor with a lower TDP of 55W compared to the desktop part’s 65W.

Every other benchmark in the dataset favors the 12700F. The margins are consistently large in compute-heavy workloads. In Cinebench R20, the desktop chip scores 10767 in multi-core versus 7998 for the HX, a 25.7% difference. The same delta of -25.7% appears in the R20 single-core test, where the 12700F scores 1519 versus 1128. The older Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows a 26.5% gap, with scores of 2610 and 1919, while the single-core test is nearly identical, with the 12700F winning by just 0.4% (271 versus 270).

PassMark results reinforce the 12700F’s dominance across a range of workloads. The largest margin is in extended instructions, where the desktop part scores 24783 versus 15856, a 36% advantage. Floating point math also favors the 12700F heavily: 81804 versus 58426, a 28.6% gap. Data compression shows a 30.6% lead for the 12700F (384463 versus 266700), and data encryption is 24.1% ahead (20185 versus 15325). Integer math scores are 107013 versus 81810, a 23.6% difference, while find prime numbers shows a 24.5% gap (98 versus 74). Random string sorting is 25.5% ahead for the 12700F (39852 versus 29692), and the multithread score is 30445 versus 22573, a 25.9% lead. The physics test shows a 22.6% advantage for the desktop chip (1488 versus 1152). In single-thread PassMark tests, the 12700F wins by a smaller 5.5% margin, scoring 3850 versus 3637.

The pattern is clear: the 12700F is faster in nearly every measure of sustained and burst performance, with margins ranging from a negligible 0.4% to a commanding 36%. The 12650HX’s victories in Cinebench R23 are notable, but they do not translate into wins in the PassMark suite.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-12650HX has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 31290, compared to the 31081 of the Intel Core i7-12700F. The difference is less than 1%.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The 12650HX wins decisively, scoring 19043 versus 15291 for the 12700F. This represents a 24.5% advantage for the mobile processor.

Q: Is the 12700F always faster than the 12650HX?

A: No. The 12700F wins 15 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, but the 12650HX wins both Cinebench R23 tests. The single-core R23 result is particularly lopsided, with the HX leading by 41.6%.

Q: What is the difference in their PassMark multithread scores?

A: The 12700F scores 30445 in the PassMark multithread test, while the 12650HX scores 22573. The desktop chip is 25.9% faster in this test.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of threads?

A: Yes, both have 20 threads. However, the 12650HX has 14 cores while the 12700F has 12 cores.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The 12700F has a higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz, compared to 4.70 GHz for the 12650HX. The base clocks are also different, with the 12700F at 2.10 GHz and the 12650HX at 2.00 GHz.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-12700F is the clear winner for workloads that rely on sustained multi-threaded performance, as demonstrated across the PassMark suite. Its 25.9% lead in multithread, 28.6% lead in floating point math, and 36% lead in extended instructions make it the stronger choice for rendering, scientific computing, and any task that can fully utilize its 20 threads. The desktop chip also wins in integer math by 23.6%, data compression by 30.6%, and data encryption by 24.1%, covering a broad range of general-purpose and content-creation tasks. Even in single-threaded PassMark tests, the 12700F is 5.5% ahead, suggesting it holds a slight edge in lightly threaded applications.

The Intel Core i7-12650HX has a narrower but distinct area of advantage. Its Cinebench R23 scores are exceptional, particularly the 41.6% single-core victory. This suggests that in workloads that are sensitive to the specific optimizations in Cinebench R23, the mobile chip can outperform the desktop part. The 24.5% multi-core lead in the same benchmark also indicates that the 12650HX’s 14-core configuration can be more efficient in certain rendering tasks, despite its lower TDP. For users who primarily run Cinebench R23 or similar workloads, the 12650HX is the better performer.

For general use, the 12700F is the safer recommendation. It wins the majority of benchmarks, including the more diverse PassMark tests that cover compression, encryption, and math operations. The 12650HX is a specialist, offering a surprising edge in one specific benchmark suite but falling behind in most others.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The 12650HX has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the 12700F has 12 cores and 20 threads. The base clock of the 12700F is 2.10 GHz, higher than the 12650HX’s 2.00 GHz. The boost clock also favors the desktop chip, with 4.90 GHz versus 4.70 GHz. The TDP is lower for the mobile part at 55W, compared to 65W for the desktop part.

The sockets are different: the 12650HX uses Intel BGA 1964, while the 12700F uses Intel Socket 1700. The 12650HX supports PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), whereas the 12700F supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics also differ: the 12650HX includes UHD Graphics 770, while the 12700F has no integrated graphics. The 12700F has a launch MSRP of $324, and its multiplier is locked, while the 12650HX has an unlocked multiplier. The part number for the 12700F is SRL4R.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel’s Alder Lake architecture, using a 10 nm process node and fabricated by Intel. They share the same die size of 215 mm². The codenames differ: the 12650HX is Alder Lake-HX, while the 12700F is Alder Lake-S. The cache hierarchy is nearly identical, with both having 80 KB of L1 per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core. The L3 cache differs slightly: the 12650HX has 24 MB shared, while the 12700F has 25 MB shared. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, and neither supports ECC memory. The market segment is the primary architectural distinction: the 12650HX is a mobile part, while the 12700F is a desktop part. The 12650HX’s integrated UHD Graphics 770 is a significant architectural feature absent from the 12700F, which relies on a discrete GPU. The 12650HX also has more PCIe lanes (20 versus 16), which may be relevant for mobile platforms with multiple high-speed devices. The 12700F has a higher boost clock, which contributes to its lead in most benchmarks, while the 12650HX’s additional two cores help it in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test.