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Intel Core i5-12500H vs Intel Core i5-12600H: Comparison
Core i5-12500H vs Core i5-12600H: the p-core base clock difference
P-core base clock is the dividing line, Core i5-12500H 2.5 GHz against Core i5-12600H 2.7 GHz. There is a split on e-core base clock as well, 1.8 GHz on the Core i5-12500H versus 2.0 GHz on the Core i5-12600H.
Which should you buy, Core i5-12500H or Core i5-12600H?
The Core i5-12500H suits mainstream laptops and everyday productivity, though it is the wrong buy for ultra-thin fanless laptops and maximum battery life. Buy the Core i5-12600H for mainstream laptops and everyday productivity, though it is not built for ultra-thin fanless laptops and maximum battery life. Our rating of the Core i5-12500H (8/10): the Intel Core i5-12500H is a well-rounded performance mobile chip for mainstream laptops balancing power and portability. Our rating of the Core i5-12600H (8/10): the Intel Core i5-12600H is a well-rounded performance mobile chip for mainstream laptops balancing power and portability.
Where the two are identical
Everything else lines up. Total cores, performance cores, efficiency cores, total threads and p-core boost clock read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing. They match on 25 further specifications as well.
Frequently asked questions
Is the E-Core Boost Clock the same on the Core i5-12500H and Core i5-12600H?
It is. Both are listed at 3.3 GHz, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Product Line
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- Core
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- Core
Form Factor
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- Laptop
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- Laptop
Model Number
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- i5-12500H
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- i5-12600H
Codename
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- Alder Lake
Release Year
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- 2022
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- 2022
TDP
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- 45 W
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- 45 W
iGPU
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Market Segment
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- Laptop
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- Laptop
Microarchitecture
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- Alder Lake
Socket
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- FCBGA1744
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- FCBGA1744
Process Node
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- 7 nm
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- 7 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- 12
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- 12
Performance Cores
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- 4
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- 4
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- 8
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- 8
Total Threads
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- 16
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- 16
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- Yes
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- 2.5 GHz
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- 2.7 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- 4.5 GHz
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- 4.5 GHz
E-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- 1.8 GHz
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- 2.0 GHz
E-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- 3.3 GHz
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- 3.3 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- No
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- No
L3 Cache
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- 18 MB
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- 18 MB
Base Power
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- 45 W
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- 45 W
Max Turbo Power
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- 95 W
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- 95 W
Configurable TDP Floor
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- 35 W
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- 35 W
Memory Type
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- DDR5, DDR4, LPDDR5, LPDDR4x
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- DDR5, DDR4, LPDDR5, LPDDR4x
Max Memory Speed
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- 4800 MT/s
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- 4800 MT/s
Memory Channels
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- 2
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- 64 GB
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- 64 GB
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- Yes
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- Yes
iGPU Model
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
iGPU Compute Units
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- 80
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- 80
Copilot Plus Certified
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- No
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- No
PCIe Generation
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- PCIe 4.0
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- PCIe 4.0
PCIe Lanes
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- 20
- Intel Core i5-12600H
- 20
Which one should you pick?
Choose 12500H if you want the higher L3 cache (18 MB vs 18 MB), the higher memory channels (2 vs 2) and the higher PCIe lanes (20 vs 20).
Choose 12600H if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Verdict
Intel Core i5-12500H
8 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i5-12500H is a well-rounded performance mobile chip for mainstream laptops balancing power and portability.
Intel Core i5-12600H
8 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i5-12600H is a well-rounded performance mobile chip for mainstream laptops balancing power and portability.