Core Ultra 7 265U vs Core i5-12450HX

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core Ultra 7 265U

#144

Core i7-12650H

MSRP: $457|Avg: N/A

102%

#147

Core Ultra 7 265U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#153

Core i7-1370P

MSRP: $438|Avg: $280

98%

#158

Core i9-13900H

MSRP: $617|Avg: N/A

95%

#161

Core Ultra 7 268V

MSRP: $450|Avg: $400

94%

#162

Core Ultra 7 256V

MSRP: $450|Avg: $350

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-12450HX

#27

Core Ultra 7 265HX

MSRP: $450|Avg: N/A

120%

#31

Ryzen 5 230

MSRP: $200|Avg: $190

112%

#36

Core i5-11500B

MSRP: $185|Avg: $185

102%

#39

Core i5-12450HX

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#42

Ryzen 9 9955HX3D

MSRP: $749|Avg: N/A

97%

#49

Core i9-12900HX

MSRP: $606|Avg: N/A

91%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core Ultra 7 265U leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i5-12450HX is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.9% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core Ultra 7 265U	Core i5-12450HX
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	✨ Modern (Arrow Lake-U (2025) / 5 nm)	✨ Modern (Alder Lake-HX (2022) / Intel 7 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core Ultra 7 265U	Core i5-12450HX
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

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 Ultra 7 265U Benchmark Check

Core i5-12450HX Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core Ultra 7 265U and Core i5-12450HX

Core Ultra 7 265U

The Core Ultra 7 265U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-U (2025) architecture. It features 12 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.3 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): 14 MB + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 17,900 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i5-12450HX

The Core i5-12450HX 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 8 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 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: 18,064 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core Ultra 7 265U packs 12 cores / 14 threads, while the Core i5-12450HX offers 8 cores / 12 threads — the Core Ultra 7 265U has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.3 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 265U versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12450HX — a 18.6% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 265U (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core Ultra 7 265U uses the Arrow Lake-U (2025) architecture (5 nm), while the Core i5-12450HX uses Alder Lake-HX (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 7 265U scores 17,900 against the Core i5-12450HX's 18,064 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-12450HX. L3 cache: 12 MB on the Core Ultra 7 265U vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-12450HX.

Feature	Core Ultra 7 265U	Core i5-12450HX
Cores / Threads	12 / 14+50%	8 / 12
Boost Clock	5.3 GHz+20%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	—	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	5 nm-29%	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Arrow Lake-U (2025)	Alder Lake-HX (2022)
PassMark	17,900	18,064
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,150

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 7 265U uses the FCBGA2049 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-12450HX uses FCBGA1964 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core Ultra 7 265U	Core i5-12450HX
Socket	FCBGA2049	FCBGA1964
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	48

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core Ultra 7 265U) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12450HX). The Core i5-12450HX includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics for 12th Gen), while the Core Ultra 7 265U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12450HX targets Workstation/Enthusiast Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12450HX rivals Ryzen 5 7645HX.

Feature	Core Ultra 7 265U	Core i5-12450HX
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD Graphics for 12th Gen
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Workstation/Enthusiast Laptop