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.

Core i5-12600H vs Core i9-11950H 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 i9-11950H: 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

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅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

❌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?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-11950H is ahead with a 1.4% 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 0.8% better PassMark. Core i9-11950H also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).

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 0.8% 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 makes the most sense overall. Core i5-12600H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark.

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 FCBGA1787, 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 i9-11950H 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 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.