Core 5 220H vs Core i7-12700T

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 i7-12700T 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 i7-12700T: 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: +9.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (21,192 vs 21,195).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 25 MB).
❌28.6% higher power demand at 45W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-12700T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-12700T

2022

Why buy it

✅+0% higher PassMark.
✅+38.9% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 45W, a 10W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 770, while Core 5 220H needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core 5 220H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $339 MSRP, while Core 5 220H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-12700T better than Core 5 220H?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core 5 220H is ahead with a 9.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-12700T pulls ahead with 0% better PassMark. Core i7-12700T also has the bigger cache pool with 38.9% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 18 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-12700T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 38.9% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 18 MB).

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

Core i7-12700T is the better buy right now. Core i7-12700T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $339 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core 5 220H is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 9.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (62.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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 i7-12700T 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 i7-12700T

The Core i7-12700T 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 12 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 21,195 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core 5 220H packs 12 cores / 16 threads, matching the Core i7-12700T's 12 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core 5 220H versus 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-12700T — a 4.2% clock advantage for the Core 5 220H (base: 2.7 GHz vs 1.4 GHz). The Core 5 220H uses the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i7-12700T uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core 5 220H scores 21,192 against the Core i7-12700T's 21,195 — a 0% lead for the Core i7-12700T. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core 5 220H vs 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700T.

Feature	Core 5 220H	Core i7-12700T
Cores / Threads	12 / 16	12 / 20
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+4%	4.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+93%	1.4 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	25 MB (total)+39%
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	21,195
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	21,568
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,256
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	9,560

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Memory & Platform

The Core 5 220H uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-12700T uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 5 220H	Core i7-12700T
Socket	FCBGA1744	LGA1700
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 i7-12700T). The Core i7-12700T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Core 5 220H requires a dedicated GPU.