Core i5-12400T vs Core i7-11600H

Intel

Core i5-12400T

6 Cores12 Thrd35 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2022
Core family
·······
VS
Intel

Core i7-11600H

6 Cores12 Thrd35 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2021
Core family
·······

Core i5-12400T vs Core i7-11600H 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 i5-12400T vs Core i7-11600H 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 i5-12400T vs Core i7-11600H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-12400T

2022

Why buy it

  • +0.7% higher PassMark.
  • Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1787 and DDR4.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Intel Laminar RM1), unlike Core i7-11600H.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,650 vs 1,903).
  • Launch MSRP is still $192 MSRP, while Core i7-11600H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i7-11600H

2021

Why buy it

  • +15.3% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (15,441 vs 15,543).
  • Older platform position on FCBGA1787 with DDR4, while Core i5-12400T moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400T.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400T better than Core i7-11600H?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-11600H is ahead with a 0.6% 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 0.7% better PassMark.
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 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.
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 $192 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-11600H is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (81.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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, 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 i5-12400T vs Core i7-11600H Technical Specifications

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

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.

Intel

Core i7-11600H

The Core i7-11600H 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 18 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: 15,441 points. Launch price was $395.

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-12400T and Core i7-11600H share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i5-12400T versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-11600H — a 9.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-11600H (base: 1.8 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-12400T uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-11600H uses Tiger Lake H45 (2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400T scores 15,543 against the Core i7-11600H's 15,441 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i5-12400T. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,650 vs 1,903, a 14.2% lead for the Core i7-11600H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 18 MB (total) of L3 cache.

FeatureCore i5-12400TCore i7-11600H
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
6 / 12
Boost Clock
4.2 GHz
4.6 GHz+10%
Base Clock
1.8 GHz
2.5 GHz+39%
L3 Cache
18 MB (total)
18 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
1.25 MB (per core)
Process
Intel 7 nm-30%
10 nm SuperFin
Architecture
Alder Lake-S (2022)
Tiger Lake H45 (2021)
PassMark
15,543
15,441
Geekbench 6 Single
1,650
1,903+15%
Geekbench 6 Multi
7,800
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400T uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-11600H uses FCBGA1787 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i5-12400T versus DDR4-3200 on the Core i7-11600H — 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: H610,B660,H670,Z690 (Core i5-12400T) and HM570,QM580,WM590 (Core i7-11600H).

FeatureCore i5-12400TCore i7-11600H
Socket
LGA1700
FCBGA1787
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800+50%
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
20
20
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i7-11600H supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics Intel UHD Graphics 730 (Core i5-12400T) and UHD Graphics (Core i7-11600H) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400T targets Office/Home Desktop, Core i7-11600H targets Gaming Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-11600H rivals Ryzen 5 5600H.

FeatureCore i5-12400TCore i7-11600H
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel UHD Graphics 730
UHD Graphics
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Office/Home Desktop
Gaming Laptop