Core 5 120U vs Core i5-12450H

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 120U vs Core i5-12450H 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 120U vs Core i5-12450H: 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 120U

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 15W instead of 45W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-12450H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-12450H

2022

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics for 12th Gen, while Core 5 120U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core 5 120U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (16,133 vs 16,225).
❌200% higher power demand at 45W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 5 120U better than Core i5-12450H?

Yes. Core 5 120U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 11.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.6% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core 5 120U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 11.5% 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 5 120U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core 5 120U still makes the most sense overall. Core 5 120U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core 5 120U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2022) and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core 5 120U vs Core i5-12450H Technical Specifications

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

Core 5 120U

The Core 5 120U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-U Refresh (2024) architecture. It features 10 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4X-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 16,225 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i5-12450H

The Core i5-12450H 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 8 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 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: 16,133 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core 5 120U packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-12450H offers 8 cores / 12 threads — the Core 5 120U has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core 5 120U versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12450H — a 12.8% clock advantage for the Core 5 120U (base: 1.4 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core 5 120U uses the Raptor Lake-U Refresh (2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i5-12450H uses Alder Lake-H (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core 5 120U scores 16,225 against the Core i5-12450H's 16,133 — a 0.6% lead for the Core 5 120U. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core 5 120U	Core i5-12450H
Cores / Threads	10 / 12+25%	8 / 12
Boost Clock	5 GHz+14%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	1.4 GHz	2 GHz+43%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm	Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture	Raptor Lake-U Refresh (2024)	Alder Lake-H (2022)
PassMark	16,225	16,133
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,100

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the FCBGA1744 socket with PCIe 5.0.

Feature	Core 5 120U	Core i5-12450H
Socket	FCBGA1744	FCBGA1744
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	—	LPDDR5-5200
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	28

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 5 120U) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12450H). The Core i5-12450H includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics for 12th Gen), while the Core 5 120U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12450H targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12450H rivals Ryzen 5 6600H.