Intel Core i7-12800H vs Intel Core Ultra 7 155H Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 7 155H and Intel Core i7-12800H represent two distinct generations of Intel mobile processors, yet their benchmark results reveal a surprisingly close contest. The Ultra 7 155H, built on the Meteor Lake architecture, wins the majority of direct comparisons, while the i7-12800H, an Alder Lake part, retains a clear edge in specific single-threaded workloads. The data shows a nuanced performance landscape where generation shifts do not always translate into universal superiority.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive win for the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H comes in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where it scores 2450 against 2222 for the i7-12800H, a 10.3% advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison set. The Ultra 7 also wins Cinebench R20 multi-core by 3.4%, posting 8754 versus 8463. In the Passmark suite, the Ultra 7 leads in the prime number calculation test with a 10.8% margin, scoring 113 against 102, and in random string sorting with a 5% edge, 31990 versus 30453. Floating point math also favors the Ultra 7 by 4.5%, with scores of 63703 and 60961 respectively.

However, the i7-12800H is not without its victories. It wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with a score of 15283 against 15028, a 1.7% margin, and it takes both single-core Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the i7-12800H scores 265 versus 255, a 3.8% lead, and in R23 single-core it scores 1828 versus 1743, a 4.6% lead. These are the only three wins for the i7-12800H out of 17 head-to-head comparisons, but they are concentrated in the classic single-threaded rendering metric.

The remaining benchmarks are narrow victories for the Ultra 7 155H. Data compression yields 277353 against 273247, a 1.5% gain. Data encryption shows 16358 versus 16234, only a 0.8% difference. Extended instructions, integer math, and multithread tests all show margins under 2.5%. The Passmark single-thread score is nearly identical, 3468 for the Ultra 7 and 3440 for the i7-12800H, a 0.8% gap. Physics simulation also favors the Ultra 7, 1727 versus 1682, a 2.7% difference. The overall average benchmark score reflects this pattern: the Ultra 7 155H sits at 32697, while the i7-12800H averages 32121.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different silicon. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155H uses the Meteor Lake architecture on a 7 nm process node, while the Intel Core i7-12800H uses Alder Lake on a 10 nm node. The die size for the i7-12800H is 217 mm², while no die size is recorded for the Ultra 7 155H. The core configuration also differs: the Ultra 7 155H has 16 cores and 22 threads, while the i7-12800H has 14 cores and 20 threads. This gives the newer part a two-core advantage in multi-threaded workloads, which aligns with its wins in Cinebench R15 multi-core and Passmark multithread.

Cache hierarchies are distinct as well. The Ultra 7 155H has 112 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core, while the i7-12800H has 80 KB of L1 and 1.25 MB of L2 per core. Both share 24 MB of L3 cache. The larger per-core caches on the Ultra 7 likely contribute to its better performance in data compression and random string sorting, workloads that benefit from faster access to working sets.

Memory support differentiates the pair significantly. The Ultra 7 155H supports DDR5 with a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the i7-12800H supports both DDR4 and DDR5, with no recorded bandwidth figure. The newer part is limited to DDR5, which may be a consideration for platform compatibility. PCIe support also differs: the Ultra 7 155H offers Gen 5 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-12800H offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The integrated GPU is another divergence: the Ultra 7 155H carries Arc Xe-LPG 128EU graphics, while the i7-12800H uses Iris Xe 96EU. The sockets are different as well, with the Ultra 7 on Intel BGA 2049 and the i7-12800H on Intel BGA 1744. Both processors have their multipliers locked.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 7 155H is the clear winner in multi-core rendering workloads that stress all available threads. Its 10.3% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core and 3.4% lead in R20 multi-core demonstrate this strength. The Passmark results reinforce this pattern: the Ultra 7 wins in prime number calculation, floating point math, physics, data compression, and random string sorting. These are tasks that scale with core count and memory bandwidth, and the Ultra 7 155H's 16 cores and 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth give it the edge. For users running CPU-intensive simulations, data processing, or parallel compilation tasks, the benchmark data favors the Ultra 7 155H.

The Intel Core i7-12800H retains a niche but important advantage in single-threaded performance, specifically in Cinebench rendering. It beats the Ultra 7 155H by 3.8% in R15 single-core and by 4.6% in R23 single-core. This suggests that for applications that rely heavily on a single thread, such as older software or certain legacy workloads, the i7-12800H may provide slightly better responsiveness. The i7-12800H also wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 1.7%, which is a notable exception to the general trend. This could indicate that the i7-12800H's higher 45 W TDP, versus 28 W for the Ultra 7 155H, allows for more sustained performance in longer rendering workloads, even if the Ultra 7 wins shorter or more parallel-intensive tests.

For workloads that are not primarily CPU-bound, the integrated GPU difference matters. The Ultra 7 155H's Arc Xe-LPG 128EU is a more capable graphics solution than the i7-12800H's Iris Xe 96EU, which may benefit light gaming or media tasks. The data does not include GPU benchmarks, but the hardware specification alone indicates a meaningful difference in graphics compute capability.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across every major specification category. The Ultra 7 155H has 16 cores and 22 threads, while the i7-12800H has 14 cores and 20 threads. Base clocks are 3.80 GHz for the Ultra 7 and 2.40 GHz for the i7-12800H, while boost clocks are identical at 4.80 GHz. The TDP is 28 W for the Ultra 7 and 45 W for the i7-12800H. Process nodes are 7 nm and 10 nm respectively. The Ultra 7 uses the Meteor Lake architecture on Intel BGA 2049, while the i7-12800H uses Alder Lake on Intel BGA 1744. The i7-12800H has a recorded die size of 217 mm²; no die size is recorded for the Ultra 7. L1 cache is 112 KB per core on the Ultra 7 versus 80 KB per core on the i7-12800H. L2 cache is 2 MB per core versus 1.25 MB per core. L3 cache is 24 MB shared on both. Memory support is DDR5 for the Ultra 7, with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, versus DDR4 and DDR5 for the i7-12800H with no recorded bandwidth. PCIe lanes are Gen 5 with 8 lanes for the Ultra 7 and Gen 4 with 20 lanes for the i7-12800H. The Ultra 7 has a launch MSRP of $503, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the i7-12800H. The Ultra 7 has 14 benchmark wins against 3 for the i7-12800H.

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 i7-12800H has 14 cores and 20 threads.

Q: What is the biggest performance difference between the two?

A: The largest delta is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H leads by 10.3%, scoring 2450 versus 2222.

Q: In which benchmark does the Intel Core i7-12800H win by the largest margin?

A: The i7-12800H wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 4.6%, scoring 1828 against 1743 for the Ultra 7 155H.

Q: How do the integrated graphics compare?

A: The Ultra 7 155H has Arc Xe-LPG 128EU graphics, while the i7-12800H has Iris Xe 96EU, indicating a different level of GPU capability.

Q: What are the power consumption differences?

A: The Ultra 7 155H has a TDP of 28 W, while the i7-12800H has a TDP of 45 W.

Q: Do both processors share the same amount of L3 cache?

A: Yes, both have 24 MB of shared L3 cache. They differ in L1 and L2 cache sizes per core, with the Ultra 7 having 112 KB and 2 MB, and the i7-12800H having 80 KB and 1.25 MB.