Core i5-11500H vs Core i5-12400T

Intel

Core i5-11500H

6 Cores12 Thrd35 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2021
Core family
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VS
Intel

Core i5-12400T

6 Cores12 Thrd35 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2022
Core family
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Core i5-11500H vs Core i5-12400T Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 i5-11500H vs Core i5-12400T 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 i5-11500H vs Core i5-12400T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-11500H

2021

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +5.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Geekbench multi-core (6,248 vs 7,800).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 18 MB).
  • Older platform position on FCBGA1787 with DDR4, while Core i5-12400T moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400T.

Core i5-12400T

2022

Why buy it

  • +24.8% higher Geekbench multi-core.
  • +50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).
  • Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1787 and DDR4.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Intel Laminar RM1), unlike Core i5-11500H.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-11500H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Launch MSRP is still $192 MSRP, while Core i5-11500H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400T better than Core i5-11500H?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-11500H is ahead with a 5.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12400T pulls ahead with 24.8% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i5-12400T also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12400T is the stronger fit. You are getting 24.8% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-12400T is the better buy right now. Core i5-12400T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $192 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 24.8% better Geekbench multi-core. The compromise is that Core i5-11500H is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 5.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (81.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-12400T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2021), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1787, 50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-11500H vs Core i5-12400T Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-11500H

The Core i5-11500H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake H45 (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 15,669 points. Launch price was $299.

Intel

Core i5-12400T

The Core i5-12400T 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 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 18 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: 15,543 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-11500H and Core i5-12400T share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-11500H versus 4.2 GHz on the Core i5-12400T — a 9.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-11500H (base: 2.9 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core i5-11500H uses the Tiger Lake H45 (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Core i5-12400T uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11500H scores 15,669 against the Core i5-12400T's 15,543 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-11500H. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,801 vs 1,650, a 8.8% lead for the Core i5-11500H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 6,248 vs 7,800 (22.1% advantage for the Core i5-12400T). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-11500H vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400T.

FeatureCore i5-11500HCore i5-12400T
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
6 / 12
Boost Clock
4.6 GHz+10%
4.2 GHz
Base Clock
2.9 GHz+61%
1.8 GHz
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
18 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
1.25 MB (per core)
Process
10 nm SuperFin
Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture
Tiger Lake H45 (2021)
Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark
15,669
15,543
Cinebench R23 Multi
9,532
Geekbench 6 Single
1,801+9%
1,650
Geekbench 6 Multi
6,248
7,800+25%
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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11500H uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i5-12400T uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-11500H versus DDR5-4800 on the Core i5-12400T — the Core i5-12400T supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM570,QM580,WM590 (Core i5-11500H) and H610,B660,H670,Z690 (Core i5-12400T).

FeatureCore i5-11500HCore i5-12400T
Socket
FCBGA1787
LGA1700
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
DDR5-4800+50%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
20
20
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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i5-11500H supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics UHD Graphics 750 (32 EU) (Core i5-11500H) and Intel UHD Graphics 730 (Core i5-12400T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11500H targets Gaming, Core i5-12400T targets Office/Home Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-11500H rivals Ryzen 5 5600H.

FeatureCore i5-11500HCore i5-12400T
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 750 (32 EU)
Intel UHD Graphics 730
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
Yes
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Gaming
Office/Home Desktop