Core i5-12500 vs Core i7-11850H

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 i5-12500 vs Core i7-11850H 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 i5-12500 vs Core i7-11850H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-12500

2022

Why buy it

✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1787 and DDR4.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-11850H.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-11850H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (19,739 vs 19,873).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $212 MSRP, while Core i7-11850H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Core i7-11850H

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Older platform position on FCBGA1787 with DDR4, while Core i5-12500 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12500.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-11850H better than Core i5-12500?

Yes. Core i7-11850H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 8.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.7% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-11850H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.2% 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 i7-11850H is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).

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

Core i7-11850H is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12500 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-11850H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $212 MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12500 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (93.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-12500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2021) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1787. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12500 vs Core i7-11850H Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-12500

The Core i5-12500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 19,739 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i7-11850H

The Core i7-11850H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,873 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12500 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-11850H offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i7-11850H has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-12500 versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-11850H — a 4.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-11850H (base: 3 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-12500 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-11850H uses Tiger Lake-H (2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Core i5-12500 scores 19,739 against the Core i7-11850H's 19,873 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-11850H. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,319 vs 1,911, a 19.3% lead for the Core i5-12500 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12500 vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i7-11850H.

Feature	Core i5-12500	Core i7-11850H
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	4.8 GHz+4%
Base Clock	3 GHz+20%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	24 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-30%	10 nm SuperFin
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Tiger Lake-H (2021)
PassMark	19,739	19,873
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,978	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,319+21%	1,911
Geekbench 6 Multi	9,003	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12500 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i7-11850H uses FCBGA1787 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12500 versus DDR4-3200 on the Core i7-11850H — the Core i5-12500 supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12500) and HM570,QM580,WM590 (Core i7-11850H).

Feature	Core i5-12500	Core i7-11850H
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA1787
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+50%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	20

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i7-11850H supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-12500) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-11850H). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 770 (Core i5-12500) and UHD Graphics (Core i7-11850H) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12500 targets Productivity, Core i7-11850H targets Workstation Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12500 rivals Ryzen 5 5500; Core i7-11850H rivals Ryzen 7 5800H.

Feature	Core i5-12500	Core i7-11850H
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 770	UHD Graphics
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Productivity	Workstation Laptop