Intel Core i7-12700 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 255H Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark split between the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H and the Intel Core i7-12700 is not a simple generational sweep; it is a functional division of labor. The data shows the Core i7-12700 wins 10 of the 17 head-to-head tests, while the Core Ultra 7 255H takes 7. The decisive factor is workload type: the desktop Alder Lake part dominates sustained multi-threaded rendering and integer-heavy operations, while the mobile Arrow Lake part wins in encryption, prime-number finding, floating-point math, and single-threaded PassMark tests.

The Core i7-12700 is the clear winner in Cinebench across every version recorded. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 21751 against 9240, a 57.5% advantage. The gap is even wider in R15 multi-core, where the i7-12700 leads by 51.9% (3151 versus 1515). These are not marginal differences; they represent a full performance tier in CPU-bound rendering workloads. The i7-12700 also wins integer math by 26.8% (106554 versus 77975), data compression by 20.5% (375950 versus 298850), and random string sorting by 7.5% (38970 versus 36058). For any workload that scales with raw core count and sustained power delivery, the desktop part is the reference.

The Core Ultra 7 255H counters in areas where its architecture and newer process node provide advantages. It wins PassMark single-thread by 11.7% (4317 versus 3864), which is notable given the i7-12700 has a higher boost clock on paper (4.90 GHz versus 5.10 GHz for the Ultra 7, actually the Ultra 7 is higher). The Ultra 7 also dominates in floating-point math by 21.7% (98796 versus 81191), physics by 44.7% (2254 versus 1558), and find prime numbers by a staggering 200% (303 versus 101). Data encryption favors the Ultra 7 by 16.1% (23395 versus 20143). The PassMark multithread score is essentially a tie: 30703 versus 30273, a 1.4% edge for the Ultra 7, despite the i7-12700 having 20 threads versus 16.

In practical terms, the i7-12700 is the workstation-class processor for rendering and compilation, while the Ultra 7 255H is the efficiency-oriented mobile chip that wins in cryptography, scientific floating-point code, and lightly threaded responsiveness. The 3DMark results for the i7-12700 (not available for the Ultra 7 in this dataset) show scaling from 1012 single-thread to 9446 max-threads, confirming its thread-scaling behavior in gaming and physics scenarios. The Ultra 7's wins in physics and floating-point suggest its Arrow Lake cores execute certain instruction patterns more efficiently per clock.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Core Ultra 7 255H is built on Arrow Lake-H, using a 3 nm process from TSMC, while the Core i7-12700 is Alder Lake-S on Intel's 10 nm process. This node difference explains much of the efficiency gap: the Ultra 7 has a 28 W TDP versus 65 W for the i7-12700, yet still manages to win several performance tests. The die size reflects the older process: the i7-12700 measures 215 mm², while the Ultra 7's die size is not recorded in the database.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. The Ultra 7 has 16 cores and 16 threads, meaning no hyper-threading. The i7-12700 has 12 cores and 20 threads, using Intel's hybrid P-core/E-core design with hyper-threading on the performance cores. This explains why the i7-12700 wins multi-threaded Cinebench by such large margins: 20 threads versus 16, combined with a 65 W power budget versus 28 W. The Ultra 7's 16 threads are all physical cores, which helps in workloads that do not benefit from SMT, such as the prime number test where it scores 303 versus 101.

Cache layouts are also distinct. The Ultra 7 has 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. The i7-12700 has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 25 MB shared L3. The larger per-core L1 and L2 on the Ultra 7 likely contribute to its single-thread and floating-point wins. The i7-12700 has slightly more L3 (25 MB versus 24 MB), which helps in multi-threaded data sharing.

Memory support differs by platform. The Ultra 7 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with dual-channel memory and a recorded bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The i7-12700 supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, but its bandwidth is not recorded. The i7-12700 supports ECC memory (false in the data), while the Ultra 7 supports ECC (true). PCIe lanes differ: the Ultra 7 has Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-12700 has Gen 5 with 16 lanes. The i7-12700 uses Socket 1700 for desktop, while the Ultra 7 uses BGA 2049 for mobile.

Integrated graphics also differ: the Ultra 7 has Arc Graphics 140T, while the i7-12700 has UHD Graphics 770. The i7-12700 has a launch MSRP of $349, while the Ultra 7 has no recorded launch MSRP. Both are active in production. The i7-12700 has no recorded release date, while the Ultra 7 was released in January 2025.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single win for the i7-12700 is Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it leads by 57.5% (21751 versus 9240). This is the single most decisive result in the dataset. The R15 multi-core test shows a 51.9% lead (3151 versus 1515), and R20 multi-core shows a 40% lead (10639 versus 6381). These three results alone establish the i7-12700 as the multi-threaded rendering champion.

The i7-12700 also wins R20 single-core by 40% (1501 versus 900), which is surprising given the Ultra 7's higher boost clock. However, the R15 single-core gap is only 7.7% (272 versus 251), and R23 single-core is just 2.7% (1894 versus 1843). The R20 single-core result appears to be an outlier in this dataset, as the other two single-core Cinebench tests show a much closer race.

The Ultra 7's most dramatic win is find prime numbers, where it scores 303 versus 101, a 200% advantage. This test is highly sensitive to per-core integer throughput and cache behavior, and the Ultra 7's larger L1 and L2 per core likely drive this result. Physics follows at 44.7% (2254 versus 1558), and floating-point math at 21.7% (98796 versus 81191).

PassMark single-thread is a clear Ultra 7 win at 11.7% (4317 versus 3864). This aligns with the Ultra 7's 5.10 GHz boost clock and newer architecture. Data encryption favors the Ultra 7 by 16.1% (23395 versus 20143), likely due to AES-NI improvements. The PassMark multithread result is nearly identical: 30703 versus 30273, a 1.4% edge for the Ultra 7, which is remarkable given the i7-12700 has 4 more threads and a much higher TDP.

The i7-12700 wins integer math by 26.8% (106554 versus 77975), data compression by 20.5% (375950 versus 298850), and random string sorting by 7.5% (38970 versus 36058). Extended instructions are nearly tied, with the i7-12700 ahead by just 1.8% (24184 versus 23755).

The 3DMark results for the i7-12700 (not present for the Ultra 7) show a scaling pattern: 1012 single-thread, 1987 for 2 threads, 3824 for 4 threads, 6775 for 8 threads, 8764 for 16 threads, and 9446 for max threads. This indicates strong scaling up to 8 threads, with diminishing returns beyond 16 threads.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split based on platform and workload. The Intel Core i7-12700 is the superior choice for multi-threaded rendering, integer-heavy computation, data compression, and string sorting. Its 20 threads and 65 W TDP deliver 57.5% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core scores and 26.8% higher integer math scores. For users running CPU-based video encoding, 3D rendering, or compilation workloads, the i7-12700 is the stronger processor in this comparison.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H is the better choice for single-threaded responsiveness, floating-point scientific workloads, encryption, and prime-number computation. Its 11.7% PassMark single-thread lead and 21.7% floating-point math advantage make it suitable for interactive applications and numerical simulation. The 200% lead in find prime numbers is exceptional, indicating a significant per-core integer efficiency advantage in specific patterns.

The near-tie in PassMark multithread (1.4% edge for the Ultra 7) is the most informative result. Despite having 4 fewer threads and a 28 W TDP, the Ultra 7 matches the i7-12700 in general multithreaded performance. This suggests the Arrow Lake architecture is substantially more efficient per thread. The i7-12700's wins come primarily from having more threads and a higher power budget, not from superior per-core performance.

For mobile users, the Ultra 7 255H is the obvious choice: it is a BGA 2049 mobile processor with 28 W TDP, and it wins several tests outright. For desktop users with Socket 1700, the i7-12700 offers the launch MSRP of $349 and dominant multi-threaded performance. Both processors sit at the 83rd percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they are in the same overall performance tier, but with very different strengths.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700 is significantly faster, scoring 21751 versus 9240 for the Core Ultra 7 255H, a 57.5% advantage.

Q: Does the Core Ultra 7 255H win any multi-threaded tests?

A: Yes, it wins PassMark multithread by 1.4% (30703 versus 30273), PassMark physics by 44.7% (2254 versus 1558), and PassMark floating-point math by 21.7% (98796 versus 81191).

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: The Core Ultra 7 255H has 16 cores and 16 threads, while the Core i7-12700 has 12 cores and 20 threads. The i7-12700 uses hyper-threading; the Ultra 7 does not.

Q: Which processor has a higher single-thread score in PassMark?

A: The Core Ultra 7 255H leads by 11.7% with a score of 4317 versus 3864 for the Core i7-12700.

Q: What is the most dramatic single benchmark difference?

A: The find prime numbers test shows the Core Ultra 7 255H scoring 303 versus 101 for the i7-12700, a 200% advantage.

Q: Are these processors in the same overall performance tier?

A: Both are at the 83rd percentile among all CPUs. The average benchmark score is 33537 for the Ultra 7 and 32942 for the i7-12700, a difference of about 1.8%.