Core i7-12800H vs M4 (10 cores)

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 i7-12800H

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.4% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌1025% higher power demand at 45W vs 4W.

M4 (10 cores)

2024

Why buy it

✅Draws 4W instead of 45W, a 41W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-12800H across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (23,784 vs 24,119).

Core i7-12800H

2022

M4 (10 cores)

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.4% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Why buy it

✅Draws 4W instead of 45W, a 41W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌1025% higher power demand at 45W vs 4W.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-12800H across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (23,784 vs 24,119).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-12800H better than M4 (10 cores)?

Yes. Core i7-12800H is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 10.4% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.4% better PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-12800H is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 10.4% more average FPS across 4 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-12800H is the better fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads.

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

Core i7-12800H still looks like the safer overall buy. Core i7-12800H is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 10.4% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

M4 (10 cores) is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2022). 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 i7-12800H Benchmark Check

M4 (10 cores) Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-12800H	M4 (10 cores)
1080p
low	267 FPS	178 FPS
medium	257 FPS	142 FPS
high	213 FPS	117 FPS
ultra	183 FPS	96 FPS
1440p
low	229 FPS	146 FPS
medium	197 FPS	115 FPS
high	159 FPS	94 FPS
ultra	139 FPS	77 FPS
4K
low	159 FPS	80 FPS
medium	136 FPS	68 FPS
high	106 FPS	55 FPS
ultra	93 FPS	43 FPS

Open Core i7-12800H Open M4 (10 cores)

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-12800H	M4 (10 cores)
1080p
low	578 FPS	440 FPS
medium	490 FPS	362 FPS
high	414 FPS	314 FPS
ultra	381 FPS	275 FPS
1440p
low	477 FPS	385 FPS
medium	420 FPS	330 FPS
high	365 FPS	291 FPS
ultra	319 FPS	246 FPS
4K
low	293 FPS	271 FPS
medium	261 FPS	239 FPS
high	246 FPS	221 FPS
ultra	219 FPS	192 FPS

Open Core i7-12800H Open M4 (10 cores)

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-12800H	M4 (10 cores)
1080p
low	603 FPS	595 FPS
medium	603 FPS	595 FPS
high	545 FPS	582 FPS
ultra	462 FPS	508 FPS
1440p
low	603 FPS	595 FPS
medium	554 FPS	506 FPS
high	485 FPS	459 FPS
ultra	416 FPS	396 FPS
4K
low	498 FPS	450 FPS
medium	416 FPS	355 FPS
high	373 FPS	308 FPS
ultra	314 FPS	244 FPS

Open Core i7-12800H Open M4 (10 cores)

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-12800H	M4 (10 cores)
1080p
low	603 FPS	595 FPS
medium	603 FPS	595 FPS
high	603 FPS	595 FPS
ultra	602 FPS	595 FPS
1440p
low	603 FPS	595 FPS
medium	603 FPS	595 FPS
high	571 FPS	577 FPS
ultra	497 FPS	511 FPS
4K
low	524 FPS	517 FPS
medium	475 FPS	459 FPS
high	422 FPS	410 FPS
ultra	367 FPS	363 FPS

Open Core i7-12800H Open M4 (10 cores)

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-12800H and M4 (10 cores)

Core i7-12800H

The Core i7-12800H 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 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 24 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: 24,119 points. Launch price was $457.

M4 (10 cores)

The M4 (10 cores) is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 7 May 2024 (1 year ago). It features 10 cores and 10 threads. Base frequency is 2.89 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 4 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5x. Passmark benchmark score: 23,784 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-12800H packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the M4 (10 cores) offers 10 cores / 10 threads — the Core i7-12800H has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-12800H versus 4.4 GHz on the M4 (10 cores) — a 8.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-12800H (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.89 GHz). The Core i7-12800H is built on the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i7-12800H scores 24,119 against the M4 (10 cores)'s 23,784 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i7-12800H.

Feature	Core i7-12800H	M4 (10 cores)
Cores / Threads	14 / 20+40%	10 / 10
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz+9%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.89 GHz+20%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	4 MB+220%
Process	Intel 7 nm	3 nm-57%
Architecture	Alder Lake-H (2022)	—
PassMark	24,119+1%	23,784

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-12800H uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the M4 (10 cores) uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.