Core i5-11600 vs Core i5-12450HX

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 i5-11600 vs Core i5-12450HX 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 i5-11600 vs Core i5-12450HX: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-11600

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-12450HX.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (17,912 vs 18,064).
❌Launch MSRP is still $213 MSRP, while Core i5-12450HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i5-12450HX moves to FCBGA1964 and DDR5.

Core i5-12450HX

2022

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1964 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅140% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-11600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-11600.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12450HX better than Core i5-11600?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-11600 is ahead with a 4.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12450HX pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12450HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-12450HX is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-11600 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-12450HX comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $213 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-11600 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-11600 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (84.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-12450HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2021), a healthier platform with FCBGA1964 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-11600 vs Core i5-12450HX Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-11600

The Core i5-11600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 17,912 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i5-12450HX

The Core i5-12450HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 May 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-HX (2022) architecture. It features 8 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 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: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 18,064 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-11600 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-12450HX offers 8 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-12450HX has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i5-11600 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12450HX — a 8.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-11600 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-11600 uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-12450HX uses Alder Lake-HX (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11600 scores 17,912 against the Core i5-12450HX's 18,064 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-12450HX. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,130 vs 2,150, a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-12450HX that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-11600	Core i5-12450HX
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 12+33%
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz+9%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+17%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+20380%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Rocket Lake (2021)	Alder Lake-HX (2022)
PassMark	17,912	18,064
Cinebench R23 Multi	10,500	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,130	2,150
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,000	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11600 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i5-12450HX uses FCBGA1964 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-11600 versus DDR5-4800 on the Core i5-12450HX — the Core i5-12450HX 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. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-11600) vs 48 (Core i5-12450HX) — the Core i5-12450HX offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H470,Z490,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-11600) and HM670,WM690 (Core i5-12450HX).

Feature	Core i5-11600	Core i5-12450HX
Socket	LGA1200	FCBGA1964
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
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	48+140%

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i5-12450HX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i5-11600 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-11600) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12450HX). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 750 (Core i5-11600) and UHD Graphics for 12th Gen (Core i5-12450HX) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11600 targets Gaming, Core i5-12450HX targets Workstation/Enthusiast Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-11600 rivals Ryzen 5 5600X; Core i5-12450HX rivals Ryzen 5 7645HX.

Feature	Core i5-11600	Core i5-12450HX
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 750	UHD Graphics for 12th Gen
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Gaming	Workstation/Enthusiast Laptop