Core 5 120 vs Core i7-12650H

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core 5 120 vs Core i7-12650H FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core 5 120 vs Core i7-12650H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core 5 120

2025

Why buy it

✅Costs $117 less on MSRP ($340 MSRP vs $457 MSRP).
✅Delivers 33.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 47.6 PassMark/$ ($340 MSRP vs $457 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-12650H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (21,629 vs 21,742).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 24 MB).
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-12650H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-12650H

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 64EU, while Core 5 120 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 47.6 vs 63.6 PassMark/$ ($457 MSRP vs $340 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-12650H better than Core 5 120?

Yes. Core i7-12650H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 13.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.5% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-12650H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 13.1% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-12650H is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-12650H is still the faster CPU overall, but Core 5 120 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-12650H comes in 34.4% more expensive on MSRP at $457 MSRP versus $340 MSRP, and it still gives you a 13.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core 5 120 is also 33.7% better value on MSRP (63.6 vs 47.6 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core 5 120 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core 5 120 vs Core i7-12650H Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core 5 120

The Core 5 120 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 31 July 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 21,629 points. Launch price was $211.

Core i7-12650H

The Core i7-12650H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture. It features 10 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 21,742 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 5 120 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-12650H offers 10 cores / 16 threads — the Core i7-12650H has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core 5 120 versus 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-12650H — a 4.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-12650H (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core 5 120 uses the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i7-12650H uses Alder Lake-H (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core 5 120 scores 21,629 against the Core i7-12650H's 21,742 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i7-12650H. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core 5 120 vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i7-12650H.

Feature	Core 5 120	Core i7-12650H
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	10 / 16+67%
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	4.7 GHz+4%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+9%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	24 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm	Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture	Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025)	Alder Lake-H (2022)
PassMark	21,629	21,742
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	13,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,780
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	10,920

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 5 120 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-12650H uses FCBGA1744 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 5 120	Core i7-12650H
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA1744
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 5 120) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-12650H). The Core i7-12650H includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 64EU), while the Core 5 120 requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core 5 120	Core i7-12650H
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD Graphics 64EU
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 5 120 was priced at $340, while the Core i7-12650H came in at $457. On launch pricing ($340 vs $457), Core 5 120 was $117 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 5 120 delivers 63.6 pts/$ vs 47.6 pts/$ for the Core i7-12650H — making the Core 5 120 the 28.9% better value option.

Feature	Core 5 120	Core i7-12650H
MSRP	$340-26%	$457
Performance per Dollar	63.6+34%	47.6
Release Date	2025	2022

Search Core 5 120 on Amazon

Search Core i7-12650H on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.