CPU
GPU
Core i5-12450HX
Xeon E5-2686 V3
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-12450HX
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2686 V3
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-12450HX | Xeon E5-2686 V3 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($160) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-HX (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell-EP (2014−2015) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-12450HX | Xeon E5-2686 V3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($160) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12450HX and Xeon E5-2686 V3
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.
Xeon E5-2686 V3
The Xeon E5-2686 V3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 45 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4 2133 MHz Quad-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 18,148 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
The Core i5-12450HX packs 8 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2686 V3 offers 18 cores / 36 threads — the Xeon E5-2686 V3 has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12450HX versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2686 V3 — a 22.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-12450HX (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i5-12450HX uses the Alder Lake-HX (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon E5-2686 V3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12450HX scores 18,064 against the Xeon E5-2686 V3's 18,148 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon E5-2686 V3. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,150 vs 1,033, a 70.2% lead for the Core i5-12450HX that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-12450HX vs 45 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2686 V3.
| Feature | Core i5-12450HX | Xeon E5-2686 V3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 12 | 18 / 36+125% |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz+26% | 3.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz+20% | 2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total) | 45 MB (total)+275% |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core)+400% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | Intel 7 nm-68% | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-HX (2022) | Haswell-EP (2014−2015) |
| PassMark | 18,064 | 18,148 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 10,000 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,150+108% | 1,033 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 8,649 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-12450HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2686 V3 uses LGA2011-3 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i5-12450HX versus DDR4-2133 on the Xeon E5-2686 V3 — the Core i5-12450HX supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-2686 V3 supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 142.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-12450HX) vs 4 (Xeon E5-2686 V3). PCIe lanes: 48 (Core i5-12450HX) vs 40 (Xeon E5-2686 V3) — the Core i5-12450HX offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM670,WM690 (Core i5-12450HX) and C612,X99 (Xeon E5-2686 V3).
| Feature | Core i5-12450HX | Xeon E5-2686 V3 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1964 | LGA2011-3 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800+25% | DDR4-2133 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 768 GB+500% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 4+100% |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 48+20% | 40 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12450HX) vs Yes (Xeon E5-2686 V3). The Core i5-12450HX includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics for 12th Gen), while the Xeon E5-2686 V3 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 | Xeon E5-2686 V3 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics for 12th Gen | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | Yes |
| Target Use | Workstation/Enthusiast Laptop | — |
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