Core i5-12600H vs Core Ultra 5 125H

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 Ultra 5 125H 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 Ultra 5 125H: 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

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while Core Ultra 5 125H needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 125H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Core Ultra 5 125H

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (20,754 vs 20,871).
❌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 Ultra 5 125H?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core Ultra 5 125H is ahead with a 8.0% 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 0.6% 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 0.6% 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 0.6% better PassMark.

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

Core Ultra 5 125H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-12600H vs Core Ultra 5 125H 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 Ultra 5 125H

The Core Ultra 5 125H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake-H (2023) architecture. It features 14 cores and 18 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): + 18 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 20,754 points. Launch price was $375.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12600H packs 12 cores / 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 125H offers 14 cores / 18 threads — the Core Ultra 5 125H has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i5-12600H versus 4.5 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 125H — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-12600H uses the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 125H uses Meteor Lake-H (2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12600H scores 20,871 against the Core Ultra 5 125H's 20,754 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-12600H. Both processors carry 18 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-12600H	Core Ultra 5 125H
Cores / Threads	12 / 16	14 / 18+17%
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	4.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	3.6 GHz+33%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	18 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+60%
Process	Intel 7 nm	7 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-H (2022)	Meteor Lake-H (2023)
PassMark	20,871	20,754
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 Ultra 5 125H uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-12600H	Core Ultra 5 125H
Socket	FCBGA1744	FCBGA2049
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
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 Ultra 5 125H). The Core i5-12600H includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics 80EU), while the Core Ultra 5 125H requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12600H targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12600H rivals Ryzen 5 6600H.