Core i5-12450HX vs Core Ultra 7 265U

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 i5-12450HX vs Core Ultra 7 265U 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 i5-12450HX vs Core Ultra 7 265U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-12450HX

2022

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics for 12th Gen, while Core Ultra 7 265U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 7 265U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌292.9% higher power demand at 55W vs 14W.

Core Ultra 7 265U

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +18.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 14W instead of 55W, a 41W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (17,900 vs 18,064).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-12450HX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 7 265U better than Core i5-12450HX?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core Ultra 7 265U is ahead with a 18.0% 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 0.9% 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 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core Ultra 7 265U still makes the most sense overall. Core Ultra 7 265U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 18.0% 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 265U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12450HX vs Core Ultra 7 265U Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core Ultra 7 265U

The Core Ultra 7 265U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-U (2025) architecture. It features 12 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.3 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): 14 MB + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 17,900 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12450HX packs 8 cores / 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 265U offers 12 cores / 14 threads — the Core Ultra 7 265U has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12450HX versus 5.3 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 265U — a 18.6% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 265U (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-12450HX uses the Alder Lake-HX (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 265U uses Arrow Lake-U (2025) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12450HX scores 18,064 against the Core Ultra 7 265U's 17,900 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-12450HX. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-12450HX vs 12 MB on the Core Ultra 7 265U.

Feature	Core i5-12450HX	Core Ultra 7 265U
Cores / Threads	8 / 12	12 / 14+50%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	5.3 GHz+20%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	—
Process	Intel 7 nm	5 nm-29%
Architecture	Alder Lake-HX (2022)	Arrow Lake-U (2025)
PassMark	18,064	17,900
Geekbench 6 Single	2,150	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12450HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core Ultra 7 265U uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-12450HX	Core Ultra 7 265U
Socket	FCBGA1964	FCBGA2049
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	48	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12450HX) / not specified (Core Ultra 7 265U). The Core i5-12450HX includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics for 12th Gen), while the Core Ultra 7 265U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12450HX targets Workstation/Enthusiast Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12450HX rivals Ryzen 5 7645HX.

Feature	Core i5-12450HX	Core Ultra 7 265U
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics for 12th Gen	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Workstation/Enthusiast Laptop	—