Core i7-12800HX vs Core Ultra 7 255H

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 i7-12800HX vs Core Ultra 7 255H 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 i7-12800HX vs Core Ultra 7 255H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-12800HX

2022

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 7 255H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (15,000 vs 15,700).
❌111.5% higher power demand at 55W vs 26W.

Core Ultra 7 255H

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +23.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 26W instead of 55W, a 29W reduction.
✅40% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 7 255H better than Core i7-12800HX?

Yes. Core Ultra 7 255H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 23.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 4.7% better Geekbench multi-core, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core Ultra 7 255H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 23.7% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 7 255H is the stronger fit. You are getting 4.7% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 16 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core Ultra 7 255H still makes the most sense overall. Core Ultra 7 255H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 23.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core Ultra 7 255H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022) and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 16 threads instead of 16/24. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-12800HX vs Core Ultra 7 255H Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-12800HX

The Core i7-12800HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 May 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-HX (2022) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 31,229 points. Launch price was $499.

Core Ultra 7 255H

The Core Ultra 7 255H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-H (2025) architecture. It features 16 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): 26 MB + 24 MB. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 30,932 points. Launch price was $514.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-12800HX packs 16 cores / 24 threads, matching the Core Ultra 7 255H's 16 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-12800HX versus 5.1 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 255H — a 6.1% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 255H (base: 2 GHz vs 4.4 GHz). The Core i7-12800HX uses the Alder Lake-HX (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 255H uses Arrow Lake-H (2025) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-12800HX scores 31,229 against the Core Ultra 7 255H's 30,932 — a 1% lead for the Core i7-12800HX. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,962 vs 2,800, a 35.2% lead for the Core Ultra 7 255H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 15,000 vs 15,700 (4.6% advantage for the Core Ultra 7 255H). L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12800HX vs 24 MB on the Core Ultra 7 255H.

Feature	Core i7-12800HX	Core Ultra 7 255H
Cores / Threads	16 / 24	16 / 16
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz	5.1 GHz+6%
Base Clock	2 GHz	4.4 GHz+120%
L3 Cache	25 MB (total)+4%	24 MB
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	—
Process	Intel 7 nm	5 nm-29%
Architecture	Alder Lake-HX (2022)	Arrow Lake-H (2025)
PassMark	31,229	30,932
Cinebench R23 Multi	18,680	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,962	2,800+43%
Geekbench 6 Multi	15,000	15,700+5%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-12800HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 7 255H uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i7-12800HX versus DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 7 255H — the Core Ultra 7 255H supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-12800HX) vs 28 (Core Ultra 7 255H) — the Core Ultra 7 255H offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM670,WM690 (Core i7-12800HX) and HM870,WM880 (Core Ultra 7 255H).

Feature	Core i7-12800HX	Core Ultra 7 255H
Socket	FCBGA1964	FCBGA2049
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	DDR5-6400+33%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20	28+40%

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-12800HX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-12800HX) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 7 255H). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i7-12800HX) and Intel Arc Graphics 140T (Core Ultra 7 255H) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-12800HX targets Extreme Gaming Laptop, Core Ultra 7 255H targets High-End Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-12800HX rivals Ryzen 7 6800HX.

Feature	Core i7-12800HX	Core Ultra 7 255H
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	Intel Arc Graphics 140T
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Extreme Gaming Laptop	High-End Laptop