Core i5-12450H vs Core i7-10700F

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 i5-12450H vs Core i7-10700F 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 i5-12450H vs Core i7-10700F: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-12450H

2022

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 125W, a 80W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅75% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics for 12th Gen, while Core i7-10700F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-10700F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (16,133 vs 16,139).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-10700F.

Core i7-10700F

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock Cooler), unlike Core i5-12450H.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $310 MSRP, while Core i5-12450H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌177.8% higher power demand at 125W vs 45W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i5-12450H moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-12450H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-10700F better than Core i5-12450H?

Yes. Core i7-10700F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 16.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-10700F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 16.5% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-10700F is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i7-10700F is the better buy right now. Core i7-10700F comes in at an unclear MSRP at $310 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 16.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (52.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-12450H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2020) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12450H vs Core i7-10700F Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-12450H

The Core i5-12450H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture. It features 8 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2 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: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 16,133 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i7-10700F

The Core i7-10700F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 16,139 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12450H packs 8 cores / 12 threads, matching the Core i7-10700F's 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12450H versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-10700F — a 8.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-10700F (base: 2 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i5-12450H uses the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-10700F uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12450H scores 16,133 against the Core i7-10700F's 16,139 — a 0% lead for the Core i7-10700F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,100 vs 1,250, a 50.7% lead for the Core i5-12450H that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-12450H vs 16 MB (total) on the Core i7-10700F.

Feature	Core i5-12450H	Core i7-10700F
Cores / Threads	8 / 12	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.8 GHz+9%
Base Clock	2 GHz	2.9 GHz+45%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	16 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-H (2022)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	16,133	16,139
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,000
Geekbench 6 Single	2,100+68%	1,250
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	7,800

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12450H uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-10700F uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5-5200 on the Core i5-12450H versus DDR4-2933 on the Core i7-10700F — the Core i5-12450H supports 77.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-10700F supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 28 (Core i5-12450H) vs 16 (Core i7-10700F) — the Core i5-12450H offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM670,WM690 (Core i5-12450H) and H410,B460,H470,Z490,Z590 (Core i7-10700F).

Feature	Core i5-12450H	Core i7-10700F
Socket	FCBGA1744	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5-5200+77%	DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	28+75%	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. The Core i5-12450H includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics for 12th Gen), while the Core i7-10700F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12450H targets Performance Laptop, Core i7-10700F targets Gaming/Content Creation. Direct competitor: Core i5-12450H rivals Ryzen 5 6600H; Core i7-10700F rivals Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Core i5-12450H	Core i7-10700F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics for 12th Gen	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Performance Laptop	Gaming/Content Creation