Core i5-12600H vs Core i7-11700F

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 i5-12600H vs Core i7-11700F 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 i5-12600H vs Core i7-11700F: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-12600H

2022

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅40% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while Core i7-11700F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-11700F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-11700F.

Core i7-11700F

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-12600H.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (20,770 vs 20,871).
❌Launch MSRP is still $298 MSRP, while Core i5-12600H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i5-12600H moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-12600H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12600H better than Core i7-11700F?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-11700F is ahead with a 13.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12600H pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12600H is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i5-12600H is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i7-11700F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-12600H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $298 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-11700F is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 13.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-11700F is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (69.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-12600H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2021), a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 16 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12600H vs Core i7-11700F Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-12600H

The Core i5-12600H 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 12 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 18 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: 20,871 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i7-11700F

The Core i7-11700F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 20,770 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12600H packs 12 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i7-11700F offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i5-12600H has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i5-12600H versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-11700F — a 8.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-11700F (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-12600H uses the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-11700F uses Rocket Lake (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12600H scores 20,871 against the Core i7-11700F's 20,770 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-12600H. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,200 vs 2,196, a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-12600H that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12600H vs 16 MB (total) on the Core i7-11700F.

Feature	Core i5-12600H	Core i7-11700F
Cores / Threads	12 / 16+50%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	4.9 GHz+9%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+8%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)+13%	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-H (2022)	Rocket Lake (2021)
PassMark	20,871	20,770
Geekbench 6 Single	2,200	2,196

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12600H uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i7-11700F uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5-5200 on the Core i5-12600H versus DDR4-3200 on the Core i7-11700F — the Core i5-12600H supports 62.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-11700F supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 28 (Core i5-12600H) vs 20 (Core i7-11700F) — the Core i5-12600H offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM670,WM690 (Core i5-12600H) and H510,B560,H570,Z590,Q570 (Core i7-11700F).

Feature	Core i5-12600H	Core i7-11700F
Socket	FCBGA1744	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5-5200+63%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	28+40%	20

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i7-11700F supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. The Core i5-12600H includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics 80EU), while the Core i7-11700F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12600H targets Performance Laptop, Core i7-11700F targets Gaming Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12600H rivals Ryzen 5 6600H; Core i7-11700F rivals Ryzen 7 5800.

Feature	Core i5-12600H	Core i7-11700F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Iris Xe Graphics 80EU	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Performance Laptop	Gaming Desktop