Core 5 220H vs Core i5-12600

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 220H vs Core i5-12600 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 220H vs Core i5-12600: 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 220H

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (21,192 vs 21,383).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-12600 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12600.

Core i5-12600

2022

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Core 5 220H needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Included), unlike Core 5 220H.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core 5 220H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $233 MSRP, while Core 5 220H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 5 220H better than Core i5-12600?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core 5 220H is ahead with a 4.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12600 pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core 5 220H is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core 5 220H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $233 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12600 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 4.8% in the shared gaming data.

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

Core 5 220H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2022). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core 5 220H vs Core i5-12600 Technical Specifications

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

Core 5 220H

The Core 5 220H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 18 December 2024 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture. It features 12 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4X-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 21,192 points. Launch price was $342.

Core i5-12600

The Core i5-12600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FP7/FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR5x, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 21,383 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core 5 220H packs 12 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i5-12600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core 5 220H has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core 5 220H versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i5-12600 — a 2.1% clock advantage for the Core 5 220H (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core 5 220H uses the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i5-12600 uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core 5 220H scores 21,192 against the Core i5-12600's 21,383 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-12600. Both processors carry 18 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core 5 220H	Core i5-12600
Cores / Threads	12 / 16+100%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+2%	4.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	3.3 GHz+22%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	18 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+60%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm	Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture	Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	21,192	21,383
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,400
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	10,400

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Memory & Platform

The Core 5 220H uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-12600 uses FP7/FP8 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 5 220H	Core i5-12600
Socket	FCBGA1744	FP7/FP8
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	20

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 5 220H) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-12600). The Core i5-12600 includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Core 5 220H requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12600 targets Mainstream Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12600 rivals Ryzen 5 5600.