Core i5-12450H vs Core Ultra 7 155U

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 Ultra 7 155U 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 Ultra 7 155U: 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

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics for 12th Gen, while Core Ultra 7 155U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 7 155U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (16,133 vs 16,185).

Core Ultra 7 155U

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-12450H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 7 155U better than Core i5-12450H?

Yes. Core Ultra 7 155U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 8.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core Ultra 7 155U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.0% 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 Ultra 7 155U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 14 threads.

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

Core Ultra 7 155U still makes the most sense overall. Core Ultra 7 155U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core Ultra 7 155U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022) and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 14 threads instead of 8/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-12450H vs Core Ultra 7 155U 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 Ultra 7 155U

The Core Ultra 7 155U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake-P (2023) architecture. It features 12 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 16,185 points. Launch price was $490.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12450H packs 8 cores / 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 155U offers 12 cores / 14 threads — the Core Ultra 7 155U has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12450H versus 4.8 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 155U — a 8.7% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 155U (base: 2 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Core i5-12450H uses the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 155U uses Meteor Lake-P (2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12450H scores 16,133 against the Core Ultra 7 155U's 16,185 — a 0.3% lead for the Core Ultra 7 155U. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-12450H	Core Ultra 7 155U
Cores / Threads	8 / 12	12 / 14+50%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.8 GHz+9%
Base Clock	2 GHz+18%	1.7 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+60%
Process	Intel 7 nm	7 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-H (2022)	Meteor Lake-P (2023)
PassMark	16,133	16,185
Geekbench 6 Single	2,100	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12450H uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 7 155U uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-12450H	Core Ultra 7 155U
Socket	FCBGA1744	FCBGA2049
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5-5200	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	28	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12450H) / not specified (Core Ultra 7 155U). The Core i5-12450H includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics for 12th Gen), while the Core Ultra 7 155U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12450H targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12450H rivals Ryzen 5 6600H.