Core i5-12600H vs Core i9-11950H

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i5-12600H

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +15.4% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1787 and DDR4.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while Core i9-11950H needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 24 MB).
❌28.6% higher power demand at 45W vs 35W.

Core i9-11950H

2021

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 45W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12600H across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (20,699 vs 20,871).
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1787 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.

Core i5-12600H

2022

Core i9-11950H

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +15.4% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1787 and DDR4.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while Core i9-11950H needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 45W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 24 MB).
❌28.6% higher power demand at 45W vs 35W.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12600H across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (20,699 vs 20,871).
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1787 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 i9-11950H?

Yes. Core i5-12600H is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 15.4% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.8% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-12600H is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 15.4% more average FPS across 3 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12600H is the better fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i5-12600H still looks like the safer overall buy. Core i5-12600H is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 15.4% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i5-12600H is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2021), a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1787, and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 16 threads instead of 8/16. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i5-12600H Benchmark Check

Core i9-11950H Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-12600H	Core i9-11950H
1080p
low	169 FPS	247 FPS
medium	153 FPS	230 FPS
high	125 FPS	193 FPS
ultra	106 FPS	166 FPS
1440p
low	142 FPS	220 FPS
medium	122 FPS	185 FPS
high	99 FPS	150 FPS
ultra	83 FPS	133 FPS
4K
low	80 FPS	154 FPS
medium	74 FPS	131 FPS
high	59 FPS	101 FPS
ultra	46 FPS	89 FPS

Open Core i5-12600H Open Core i9-11950H

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-12600H	Core i9-11950H
1080p
low	522 FPS	343 FPS
medium	485 FPS	293 FPS
high	407 FPS	248 FPS
ultra	373 FPS	225 FPS
1440p
low	478 FPS	297 FPS
medium	421 FPS	266 FPS
high	361 FPS	227 FPS
ultra	316 FPS	194 FPS
4K
low	292 FPS	176 FPS
medium	259 FPS	161 FPS
high	243 FPS	154 FPS
ultra	216 FPS	134 FPS

Open Core i5-12600H Open Core i9-11950H

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-12600H	Core i9-11950H
1080p
low	522 FPS	517 FPS
medium	519 FPS	517 FPS
high	477 FPS	488 FPS
ultra	420 FPS	388 FPS
1440p
low	522 FPS	517 FPS
medium	475 FPS	501 FPS
high	427 FPS	426 FPS
ultra	378 FPS	345 FPS
4K
low	449 FPS	428 FPS
medium	368 FPS	368 FPS
high	327 FPS	324 FPS
ultra	267 FPS	259 FPS

Open Core i5-12600H Open Core i9-11950H

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-12600H	Core i9-11950H
1080p
low	522 FPS	517 FPS
medium	522 FPS	517 FPS
high	522 FPS	517 FPS
ultra	522 FPS	517 FPS
1440p
low	522 FPS	517 FPS
medium	522 FPS	517 FPS
high	522 FPS	517 FPS
ultra	493 FPS	476 FPS
4K
low	507 FPS	510 FPS
medium	463 FPS	458 FPS
high	414 FPS	405 FPS
ultra	361 FPS	348 FPS

Open Core i5-12600H Open Core i9-11950H

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12600H and Core i9-11950H

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 i9-11950H

The Core i9-11950H 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 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 5 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: 20,699 points. Launch price was $556.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12600H packs 12 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i9-11950H 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 5 GHz on the Core i9-11950H — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Core i9-11950H (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i5-12600H uses the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-11950H uses Tiger Lake-H (2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Core i5-12600H scores 20,871 against the Core i9-11950H's 20,699 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-12600H. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12600H vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-11950H.

Feature	Core i5-12600H	Core i9-11950H
Cores / Threads	12 / 16+50%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	5 GHz+11%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+29%	2.1 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-H (2022)	Tiger Lake-H (2021)
PassMark	20,871	20,699
Geekbench 6 Single	2,200	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12600H uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i9-11950H uses FCBGA1787 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-12600H	Core i9-11950H
Socket	FCBGA1744	FCBGA1787
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5-5200	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	28	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12600H) / not specified (Core i9-11950H). The Core i5-12600H includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics 80EU), while the Core i9-11950H requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12600H targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12600H rivals Ryzen 5 6600H.