Core i5-13500H vs Core i7-12700T

Intel

Core i5-13500H

12 Cores16 Thrd45 WWMax: 4.7 GHz2023
VS
Intel

Core i7-12700T

12 Cores20 Thrd35 WWMax: 4.7 GHz2022
Core family
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Core i5-13500H vs Core i7-12700T 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 i5-13500H vs Core i7-12700T 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 i5-13500H vs Core i7-12700T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-13500H

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +3.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • 40% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (15,116 vs 21,568).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 25 MB).
  • 28.6% higher power demand at 45W vs 35W.

Core i7-12700T

2022

Why buy it

  • +42.7% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
  • +38.9% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 18 MB).
  • Draws 35W instead of 45W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13500H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Launch MSRP is still $339 MSRP, while Core i5-13500H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-12700T better than Core i5-13500H?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-13500H is ahead with a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-12700T pulls ahead with 42.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core i7-12700T also has the bigger cache pool with 38.9% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 18 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-12700T is the stronger fit. You are getting 42.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 12 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 38.9% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 18 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-12700T is the better buy right now. Core i7-12700T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $339 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 42.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. The compromise is that Core i5-13500H is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (62.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-13500H 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 i5-13500H vs Core i7-12700T Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-13500H

The Core i5-13500H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture. It features 12 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4x-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 21,080 points. Launch price was $299.

Intel

Core i7-12700T

The Core i7-12700T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 21,195 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

The Core i5-13500H packs 12 cores / 16 threads, matching the Core i7-12700T's 12 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i5-13500H versus 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-12700T — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.6 GHz vs 1.4 GHz). The Core i5-13500H uses the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-12700T uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13500H scores 21,080 against the Core i7-12700T's 21,195 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i7-12700T. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 15,116 vs 21,568 (35.2% advantage for the Core i7-12700T). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,400 vs 2,256, a 6.2% lead for the Core i5-13500H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,500 vs 9,560 (18.4% advantage for the Core i5-13500H). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-13500H vs 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700T.

FeatureCore i5-13500HCore i7-12700T
Cores / Threads
12 / 16
12 / 20
Boost Clock
4.7 GHz
4.7 GHz
Base Clock
2.6 GHz+86%
1.4 GHz
L3 Cache
18 MB (total)
25 MB (total)+39%
L2 Cache
2 MB (per core)+60%
1.25 MB (per core)
Process
Intel 7 nm
Intel 7 nm
Architecture
Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024)
Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark
21,080
21,195
Cinebench R23 Multi
15,116
21,568+43%
Geekbench 6 Single
2,400+6%
2,256
Geekbench 6 Multi
11,500+20%
9,560
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13500H uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-12700T uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-13500H versus DDR5-4800 on the Core i7-12700T — the Core i5-13500H supports 8.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-12700T supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 96 GB 33.3% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 28 (Core i5-13500H) vs 20 (Core i7-12700T) — the Core i5-13500H offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureCore i5-13500HCore i7-12700T
Socket
FCBGA1744
LGA1700
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0
PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200+8%
DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity
96 GB
128 GB+33%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
28+40%
20
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-13500H) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-12700T). Both include integrated graphics Iris Xe Graphics 80EU (Core i5-13500H) and UHD Graphics 770 (Core i7-12700T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13500H targets High performance laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-13500H rivals Ryzen 7 7735HS.

FeatureCore i5-13500HCore i7-12700T
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Iris Xe Graphics 80EU
UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
High performance laptop