Core i5-12450HX vs Xeon W-2145

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 Xeon W-2145 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 Xeon W-2145: 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

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 55W instead of 140W, a 85W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1964 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics for 12th Gen, while Xeon W-2145 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-2145 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon W-2145, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads.

Xeon W-2145

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (18,024 vs 18,064).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,113 MSRP, while Core i5-12450HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌154.5% higher power demand at 140W vs 55W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2011 with DDR4, while Core i5-12450HX moves to FCBGA1964 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-12450HX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12450HX better than Xeon W-2145?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W-2145 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-12450HX is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-12450HX is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon W-2145 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-12450HX comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,113 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon W-2145 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 10.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon W-2145 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (16.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i5-12450HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2017), a healthier platform with FCBGA1964 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12450HX vs Xeon W-2145 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.

Xeon W-2145

The Xeon W-2145 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 August 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 11 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 18,024 points. Launch price was $1,113.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12450HX packs 8 cores / 12 threads, matching the Xeon W-2145's 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12450HX versus 4.5 GHz on the Xeon W-2145 — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Xeon W-2145 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i5-12450HX uses the Alder Lake-HX (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon W-2145 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12450HX scores 18,064 against the Xeon W-2145's 18,024 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-12450HX. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-12450HX vs 11 MB (total) on the Xeon W-2145.

Feature	Core i5-12450HX	Xeon W-2145
Cores / Threads	8 / 12	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.5 GHz+2%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	3.7 GHz+54%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+9%	11 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+25%	1 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-HX (2022)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	18,064	18,024
Geekbench 6 Single	2,150	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12450HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W-2145 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i5-12450HX versus DDR4-2666 on the Xeon W-2145 — the Core i5-12450HX supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon W-2145 supports up to 512 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-12450HX) vs 4 (Xeon W-2145). Both provide 48 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM670,WM690 (Core i5-12450HX) and Intel X299,Intel C422 (Xeon W-2145).

Feature	Core i5-12450HX	Xeon W-2145
Socket	FCBGA1964	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+80%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	512 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	48	48

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12450HX) / not specified (Xeon W-2145). The Core i5-12450HX includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics for 12th Gen), while the Xeon W-2145 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 W-2145
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics for 12th Gen	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Workstation/Enthusiast Laptop	—