Core i5-12600H vs Xeon W-2155

Intel

Core i5-12600H

12 Cores16 Thrd45 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2022
Core family
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VS
Intel

Xeon W-2155

10 Cores20 Thrd140 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2017
Similar parts
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Core i5-12600H vs Xeon W-2155 Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 Xeon W-2155 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 Xeon W-2155: 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

  • +0.1% higher PassMark.
  • +30.9% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 14 MB).
  • Draws 45W instead of 140W, a 95W reduction.
  • Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2066 and DDR4.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon W-2155, which brings 10 cores / 20 threads.

Xeon W-2155

2017

Why buy it

  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 10 cores / 20 threads.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (20,858 vs 20,871).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (14 MB vs 18 MB).
  • Launch MSRP is still $1,440 MSRP, while Core i5-12600H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 211.1% higher power demand at 140W vs 45W.
  • Older platform position on LGA2066 with DDR4, while Core i5-12600H moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12600H better than Xeon W-2155?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W-2155 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-12600H is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for gaming?
For gaming, this matchup is basically a tie in the data we have.
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 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 30.9% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 14 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-12600H is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon W-2155 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-12600H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,440 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon W-2155 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (14.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2017), a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of LGA2066, 30.9% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 14 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 16 threads instead of 10/20. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12600H vs Xeon W-2155 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

Intel

Xeon W-2155

The Xeon W-2155 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 August 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 13.75 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400, DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 20,858 points. Launch price was $1,440.

Processing Power

The Core i5-12600H packs 12 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon W-2155 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Core i5-12600H has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i5-12600H versus 4.5 GHz on the Xeon W-2155 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i5-12600H uses the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon W-2155 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12600H scores 20,871 against the Xeon W-2155's 20,858 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-12600H. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12600H vs 13.75 MB (total) on the Xeon W-2155.

FeatureCore i5-12600HXeon W-2155
Cores / Threads
12 / 16+20%
10 / 20
Boost Clock
4.5 GHz
4.5 GHz
Base Clock
2.7 GHz
3.3 GHz+22%
L3 Cache
18 MB (total)+31%
13.75 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)+25%
1 MB (per core)
Process
Intel 7 nm-50%
14 nm
Architecture
Alder Lake-H (2022)
Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark
20,871
20,858
Geekbench 6 Single
2,200
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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12600H uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon W-2155 uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-12600HXeon W-2155
Socket
FCBGA1744
LGA2066
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0+33%
PCIe 3.0
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 (Xeon W-2155). The Core i5-12600H includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics 80EU), while the Xeon W-2155 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12600H targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12600H rivals Ryzen 5 6600H.

FeatureCore i5-12600HXeon W-2155
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Iris Xe Graphics 80EU
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Performance Laptop