Intel Core 7 240H vs Intel Core i7-12800H Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits these two mobile processors almost evenly, with the Intel Core i7-12800H taking 9 wins and the Intel Core 7 240H taking 8 wins across the 17 recorded tests. The pattern is clear: the Core i7-12800H dominates in integer-heavy and data-processing workloads, while the Core 7 240H takes the lead in rendering, single-threaded general performance, and physics simulation.

For users running computational workloads that stress the CPU's arithmetic and memory pipeline, the Core i7-12800H is the stronger choice. It wins integer math by 7.6%, floating point by 3.5%, data encryption by 7.1%, and random string sorting by 5.5%. It also edges ahead in data compression by 0.5% and multithreaded performance by 1.5%. These wins point to a chip that extracts more throughput from its larger core count and thread count in tasks that can use all available execution resources.

The Core 7 240H, meanwhile, is the better option for rendering workloads and single-core responsiveness. It leads in Cinebench R15 multicore by 5.8%, R20 multicore by 1.2%, R23 multicore by 3.1%, and R20 singlecore by 1.2%. Its PassMark single-thread score of 3782 is 9% ahead of the Core i7-12800H's 3440, the largest single-test margin in either direction. This advantage comes despite having 4 fewer cores and 4 fewer threads, which suggests a significant per-core efficiency improvement in the newer design.

The Core 7 240H also wins extended instructions by 2.9% and physics simulation by 2.4%, indicating that its architecture handles newer instruction sets and physics calculations better than the older Alder Lake design.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 7 240H has a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-12800H boosts to 4.80 GHz. The Core 7 240H's higher boost clock contributes to its 9% lead in PassMark single-thread performance.

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: The Intel Core i7-12800H has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the Intel Core 7 240H has 10 cores and 16 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the Core 7 240H wins Cinebench R23 multicore with a score of 15764 versus 15283 for the Core i7-12800H.

Q: What is the difference in integrated graphics capability?

A: The Core i7-12800H integrates Iris Xe with 96 execution units, while the Core 7 240H integrates Iris Xe Graphics with 64 execution units. The Core i7-12800H therefore offers a more capable integrated GPU.

Q: Which processor supports PCIe Gen 5?

A: The Intel Core 7 240H supports PCIe Gen 5 with 8 lanes (CPU only). In contrast, the Intel Core i7-12800H supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, which is the older standard but offers more CPU lanes.

Q: What is the difference in L2 cache between the two?

A: The Intel Core 7 240H has a larger L2 cache at 2 MB per core, whereas the Intel Core i7-12800H has 1.25 MB per core. Both share a 24 MB L3 cache.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference?

A: The Intel Core i7-12800H has an average benchmark score of 32121, and the Intel Core 7 240H has an average score of 31483. Both are placed at the 82nd percentile among all CPUs.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest victory for the Intel Core 7 240H is in PassMark single-thread, where it scores 3782 versus 3440 for the Core i7-12800H, a 9% margin. This is a substantial lead and indicates that the Core 7 240H has a much stronger single-core design. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Core 7 240H scores 2360 compared to 2222, a 5.8% lead, demonstrating its ability to outperform despite fewer cores.

The Core i7-12800H counters with its own decisive wins. Its PassMark integer math score of 86488 is 7.6% higher than the 80396 of the Core 7 240H, and its data encryption score of 16234 is 7.1% higher than 15155. In Cinebench R23 singlecore, the Core i7-12800H leads by 6.3%, scoring 1828 versus 1719, which is the reverse of the PassMark single-thread result. This suggests a significant difference in how the two workloads are optimized across these architectures.

Other notable wins for the Core i7-12800H include a 5.5% lead in random string sorting (30453 vs 28866), a 3.5% lead in floating point math (60961 versus 58905), and a 1.5% lead in multithreaded performance (24346 versus 23975). The Core 7 240H, in addition to its other wins, takes a 2.9% lead in extended instructions (16897 versus 16408) and a 2.4% lead in physics (1723 versus 1683).

The data compression test is close, with the Core i7-12800H leading by just 0.5% (273247 versus 271774). The prime numbers test is a tie at 102, though the delta is recorded as 0.

Specification Differences

The specifications differ in several key areas. The Core i7-12800H has more cores (14 versus 10) and more threads (20 versus 16). The base clock differs slightly, with the Core i7-12800H at 2.40 GHz and the Core 7 240H at 2.50 GHz. The boost clock is higher on the Core 7 240H at 5.20 GHz versus 4.80 GHz.

The L2 cache is larger on the Core 7 240H at 2 MB per core, compared to 1.25 MB per core on the Core i7-12800H. The L3 cache is the same at 24 MB shared. The integrated graphics differ, with the Core i7-12800H having Iris Xe 96EU and the Core 7 240H having Iris Xe Graphics 64EU.

The PCIe support also differs: the Core i7-12800H uses Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the Core 7 240H uses Gen 5 with 8 lanes. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory with dual-channel memory bus, and both are active production parts. The release date for the Core 7 240H is recorded as 2024-12-17, and its launch MSRP is $502. The Core i7-12800H has no recorded launch MSRP. The Core i7-12800H has a part number SRLD2, and the Core 7 240H has a part number SRQ6TQ5ML.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on different architectures. The Core i7-12800H is based on Alder Lake, with a codename of Alder Lake-H, and is part of the Core 12th Gen series. The Core 7 240H is based on Raptor Lake, with a codename of Raptor Lake-H, and is part of the Core 7 series with a Raptor Lake Refresh generation.

Both are built on a 10 nm process node by Intel, but the die size is only recorded for the Core i7-12800H at 217 mm². The Core i7-12800H is from the Alder Lake-H generation, while the Core 7 240H is from the Raptor Lake Refresh generation.

The L1 cache is identical for both, at 80 KB per core. The Core i7-12800H has an L2 cache of 1.25 MB per core, and the Core 7 240H has 2 MB per core. Both have 24 MB of shared L3 cache. Neither supports ECC memory, and both are unlocked multipliers set to false.

The integrated graphics differ, with the Core i7-12800H having 96EU and the Core 7 240H having 64EU. The PCIe support differs, with Gen 4 and 20 lanes on the Core i7-12800H versus Gen 5 and 8 lanes on the Core 7 240H. The market segment for both is mobile, and both are Active in production.

The data shows that the Core 7 240H achieves its performance gains despite having fewer cores, which is a clear sign of architectural refinement. The higher boost clock and larger L2 cache per core contribute to its single-thread dominance, while the Core i7-12800H's higher core count and thread count drive its multi-threaded workload advantages. The PCIe Gen 5 support on the Core 7 240H is the only interface generation upgrade, but it comes with fewer lanes.