Intel Core i7-12700 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 155H Comparison

The Intel Core i7-12700 and Intel Core Ultra 7 155H represent two distinct approaches to Intel processor design: a desktop-focused Alder Lake part with high power limits versus a mobile-first Meteor Lake chip built for efficiency. Benchmark data shows the i7-12700 dominates in raw compute, winning 15 of 17 head-to-head tests, yet the Ultra 7 155H counters with superior scores in two specialized workloads. Both processors land at the 83rd percentile among all CPUs, with average benchmark scores of 32942 for the i7-12700 and 32697 for the Ultra 7 155H, a gap of less than 1%. The i7-12700 carries a launch MSRP of $349, while the Ultra 7 155H launched at $503.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 155H has 16 cores and 22 threads, while the Intel Core i7-12700 has 12 cores and 20 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the i7-12700 delivers higher multi-threaded performance in most benchmarks.

Q: How large is the performance gap in multi-core workloads?

A: The i7-12700 leads by 28.6% in Cinebench R15 multi-core (3151 vs 2450), 21.5% in Cinebench R20 multi-core (10639 vs 8754), and 44.7% in Cinebench R23 multi-core (21751 vs 15028). The gap widens with longer render workloads.

Q: Does the Core Ultra 7 155H win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, the Ultra 7 155H wins PassMark find prime numbers (113 vs 101, a 10.6% advantage) and PassMark physics (1727 vs 1558, a 9.8% advantage). These are the only two wins out of 17 head-to-head tests.

Q: How do the integrated graphics compare?

A: The i7-12700 includes UHD Graphics 770, while the Ultra 7 155H features Arc Xe-LPG 128EU. The Ultra 7 uses a newer graphics architecture, though the benchmark data does not include GPU-specific scores.

Q: What are the power consumption differences?

A: The i7-12700 has a TDP of 65 watts, while the Ultra 7 155H has a TDP of 28 watts. This reflects their different market segments: desktop versus mobile.

Q: Which processor has higher single-core performance?

A: The i7-12700 wins all single-core tests, including a 6.7% lead in Cinebench R15 (272 vs 255), 21.5% in Cinebench R20 (1501 vs 1235), 8.7% in Cinebench R23 (1894 vs 1743), and 11.4% in PassMark single-thread (3864 vs 3468).

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-12700 is built on Alder Lake architecture using a 10 nm process node, while the Core Ultra 7 155H uses Meteor Lake architecture on a 7 nm node. Both are manufactured by Intel, but the die size differs: the i7-12700 measures 215 mm², while the Ultra 7 155H's die size is not listed. The i7-12700 is a desktop part for Intel Socket 1700, whereas the Ultra 7 155H is a mobile processor using Intel BGA 2049.

Cache hierarchies differ notably. The i7-12700 provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with 25 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 7 155H increases per-core caches to 112 KB L1 and 2 MB L2, but reduces shared L3 to 24 MB. The larger per-core caches on the Ultra 7 may help with certain latency-sensitive tasks, though the i7-12700's greater total L3 capacity appears more impactful in aggregate workloads.

Memory support differs: the i7-12700 supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 7 155H supports DDR5 with capacity depending on the motherboard. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the Ultra 7 155H lists a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, a figure not provided for the i7-12700. PCIe connectivity also differs, with the i7-12700 offering Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes versus 8 lanes on the Ultra 7 155H.

The integrated graphics represent a generational shift: UHD Graphics 770 on the i7-12700 versus Arc Xe-LPG 128EU on the Ultra 7 155H. Both processors lack ECC memory support and have locked multipliers, preventing overclocking. The i7-12700 has a boost clock of 4.90 GHz versus 4.80 GHz for the Ultra 7 155H, but the Ultra 7 has a higher base clock at 3.80 GHz versus 2.10 GHz.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i7-12700's dominance is most pronounced in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 21751 against 15028 for the Ultra 7 155H, a 44.7% advantage. This trend continues across other multi-threaded tests: PassMark extended instructions shows a 47% lead (24184 vs 16456), and PassMark data compression shows a 35.5% edge (375950 vs 277353). These results indicate the i7-12700's higher TDP and desktop-oriented design translate directly into sustained multi-core performance.

In Cinebench R20, the i7-12700 wins both multi-core and single-core by exactly 21.5%. The multi-core score of 10639 versus 8754 reflects the i7-12700's stronger thread scaling, while the single-core result of 1501 versus 1235 shows a significant per-thread advantage. Cinebench R15 shows a narrower single-core gap of 6.7% (272 vs 255) but a much larger multi-core delta of 28.6% (3151 vs 2450).

PassMark integer math favors the i7-12700 by 22.7% (106554 vs 86870), while floating-point math shows a 27.5% lead (81191 vs 63703). Data encryption tests give the i7-12700 a 23.1% advantage (20143 vs 16358). Random string sorting follows the pattern with a 21.8% lead (38970 vs 31990), and PassMark multi-thread shows 21.7% (30273 vs 24873). The i7-12700 also wins PassMark single-thread by 11.4% (3864 vs 3468).

The Ultra 7 155H's two wins are notable for their specificity. In PassMark find prime numbers, it scores 113 versus 101, a 10.6% advantage. PassMark physics shows a 9.8% lead with 1727 versus 1558. These wins suggest the Meteor Lake architecture handles certain integer-heavy or physics-simulation workloads more efficiently, possibly due to its newer process node and higher base clock.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every core specification. The i7-12700 has 12 cores and 20 threads, while the Ultra 7 155H has 16 cores and 22 threads. Base clocks are 2.10 GHz for the i7-12700 and 3.80 GHz for the Ultra 7 155H, while boost clocks are 4.90 GHz and 4.80 GHz respectively. TDP differs substantially: 65 watts for the i7-12700 versus 28 watts for the Ultra 7 155H.

Thermal and physical specifications diverge completely. The i7-12700 uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Ultra 7 155H uses Intel BGA 2049. The process node is 10 nm for the i7-12700 and 7 nm for the Ultra 7 155H. The i7-12700 has a die size of 215 mm², while the Ultra 7 155H's die size is not listed. Cache configurations differ: 80 KB L1 per core and 1.25 MB L2 per core on the i7-12700 versus 112 KB L1 and 2 MB L2 on the Ultra 7 155H, with 25 MB versus 24 MB of shared L3.

Memory and I/O specifications also differ. The i7-12700 supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 7 155H supports DDR5 with motherboard-dependent capacity. The Ultra 7 155H lists a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, a spec not provided for the i7-12700. PCIe lanes are 16 for the i7-12700 versus 8 for the Ultra 7 155H, both Gen 5. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 770 versus Arc Xe-LPG 128EU. The i7-12700 launched at $349, while the Ultra 7 155H launched at $503.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-12700 is the clear choice for desktop workloads requiring maximum multi-threaded performance. Its 44.7% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 47% lead in PassMark extended instructions make it suitable for video rendering, 3D modeling, and software compilation. The 35.5% advantage in data compression and 23.1% in data encryption point to strong performance in file archiving and security workloads. With a 65-watt TDP and desktop socket, it can sustain high clocks for extended periods, as evidenced by its consistent 21-28% leads across Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core tests.

The i7-12700 also wins in single-threaded applications, taking all single-core benchmarks by margins ranging from 6.7% to 21.5%. Its 4.90 GHz boost clock and larger 25 MB L3 cache contribute to these results. For users prioritizing maximum compute throughput in a desktop form factor, the i7-12700's 15 benchmark wins out of 17 provide a clear verdict.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 155H wins in two specific workloads: prime number finding and physics simulations. The 10.6% lead in find prime numbers and 9.8% in physics suggest its higher base clock of 3.80 GHz and larger per-core caches (112 KB L1, 2 MB L2) benefit certain latency-sensitive algorithms. Its 28-watt TDP makes it suitable for mobile devices where thermal constraints matter, and the 7 nm process node offers efficiency advantages not reflected in the benchmark scores. The Arc Xe-LPG 128EU integrated graphics represent a newer architecture than UHD Graphics 770, though no GPU benchmarks are available in the data.

The Ultra 7 155H's higher core count (16 vs 12) and thread count (22 vs 20) do not translate to multi-threaded wins, indicating that the i7-12700's desktop power envelope outweighs the sheer core advantage. The data shows a trade-off: sustained compute performance from the i7-12700 versus efficiency and specialized workload wins from the Ultra 7 155H. Both processors sit at the 83rd percentile among all CPUs, but their average scores differ by only 245 points (32942 vs 32697), making the i7-12700 the stronger overall performer in benchmark terms.