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Intel Core i5-12450HX

Intel Core i5-12450HX: Review and Analysis of the 2025 Laptop Processor

March 2025

Architecture and Process Technology: Alder Lake Hybrid Approach

The Intel Core i5-12450HX belongs to the Alder Lake family, introduced in late 2022. This is Intel's first hybrid design for mobile devices, combining Performance-cores (P-cores) and Efficient-cores (E-cores).

Key Specifications

- Process Technology: Intel 7 (10 nm Enhanced SuperFin).

- Cores and Threads: 8 cores (4 P-cores + 4 E-cores) and 12 threads (P-cores support Hyper-Threading).

- Frequencies:

- Base frequency for P-cores: 2.4 GHz.

- Maximum turbo frequency for P-cores: 4.4 GHz.

- E-cores operate at a frequency of up to 3.3 GHz.

- Cache: L3 — 12 MB.

- Integrated Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics for the 12th generation (32 EU, frequency up to 1.3 GHz).

Architecture Features:

- P-cores are optimized for high-performance tasks (gaming, rendering), while E-cores are designed for background processes (updates, streaming).

- Supports DDR5-4800 and PCIe 5.0.

- Thread Director technology and Windows 11: the OS automatically distributes tasks between cores.

Power Consumption and TDP: Balancing Power and Efficiency

- TDP: 55 W (range — 45–55 W depending on the laptop).

- Thermal Output: Requires a cooling system with a minimum of two fans for stable operation under load.

- Power Management Technologies:

- Intel Speed Shift: Dynamic switching between P-cores and E-cores.

- Intel Dynamic Tuning: Automatic optimization of power consumption.

Performance: From Office Tasks to Gaming

Real-World Task Tests

- Office Work (Chrome, Excel, Zoom):

The processor handles 20+ tabs and multitasking without lag. Application launch time is 1–2 seconds.

- Multimedia (Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve):

Rendering 10 minutes of 4K video takes ~8–10 minutes (speeding up to 5 minutes with GPU).

- Gaming:

- Intel UHD Graphics: 30–40 FPS in CS:2 at low settings (1080p).

- With a discrete graphics card (NVIDIA RTX 4050): 60+ FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, medium settings).

Turbo Boost Mode

- Maximum frequency of 4.4 GHz is maintained for up to 28 seconds at a temperature below 95°C.

- In games with RTX 4050, the average frequency of P-cores is 4.0–4.2 GHz.

Geekbench 6:

- Single-Core: 2080 (comparable to Ryzen 7 6800H).

- Multi-Core: 8837 (15% lower than Ryzen 7 7735HS).

Use Cases: Who is the i5-12450HX Suitable For?

1. Students and Office Workers: Light multitasking, document work, and video conferencing.

2. Creative Professionals: Photo editing, video editing (with a discrete GPU).

3. Casual Gamers: Gaming at medium settings with a graphics card in the range of RTX 3050–4050.

4. Engineers: Code compilation, CAD modeling (for complex tasks, Core i7 is preferable).

Battery Life: How Long Will It Last?

- Operating Time:

- Under load (gaming, rendering): 1.5–2 hours.

- In power-saving mode (web surfing): 6–7 hours.

- Energy-Saving Technologies:

- Intel Adaptix: Dynamic frequency management.

- Deep Learning Boost: Accelerating AI tasks with lower power consumption.

Tip: Choose laptops with a battery of at least 70 Wh for a balance between battery life and weight.

Comparison with Competitors

AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS (Zen 4)

- Pros: Better multi-threading (+10% in Cinebench R23), supports DDR5-5600.

- Cons: Weaker in single-thread tasks (-7% in Geekbench 6).

Apple M2 (MacBook Air)

- Pros: Battery life up to 18 hours, cool operation.

- Cons: Limited compatibility with Windows software, no discrete GPU.

Intel Core i7-12650HX

- Pros: +2 P-cores, higher performance in gaming.

- Cons: $150–200 higher price.

Pros and Cons of i5-12450HX

Strengths:

- High single-thread performance.

- Support for DDR5 and PCIe 5.0.

- Optimal price for the mid-range segment.

Weaknesses:

- Integrated graphics are weaker than AMD Radeon 680M.

- Heating under load (up to 98°C in slim cases).

Laptop Selection Recommendations

- Types of Devices:

- Budget Gaming Laptops (e.g., Acer Nitro 5, $900–1100).

- Versatile Workstations (Lenovo ThinkPad P15v, $1200–1400).

- What to Look For:

- Cooling system: at least 2 fans + copper heat pipes.

- Display: IPS with 100% sRGB for design work.

- Ports: Thunderbolt 4 for peripherals.

Final Conclusion

The Intel Core i5-12450HX is a great choice for those looking for a balance between price and performance. It is suitable for:

- Gamers with a discrete graphics card.

- Freelancers working with graphics and video.

- Students looking for a versatile laptop.

Key Benefits: Powerful P-cores for demanding tasks, support for modern standards (DDR5, PCIe 5.0), and optimal pricing in the $800–1300 range.

Prices are valid as of March 2025. When choosing a device, please check the configuration with the manufacturer.

Basic

Label Name

Intel

Platform

Mobile

Launch Date

May 2022

Model Name

The Intel processor number is just one of several factors - along with processor brand, system configurations, and system-level benchmarks - to be considered when choosing the right processor for your computing needs.

i5-12450HX

Code Name

Alder Lake

CPU Specifications

Total Cores

Cores is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die or chip).

Total Threads

Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.

Performance-cores

Efficient-cores

Max Turbo Frequency

Max Turbo Frequency is the maximum single-core frequency at which the processor is capable of operating using Intel® Turbo Boost Technology and, if present, Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 and Intel® Thermal Velocity Boost. Frequency is typically measured in gigahertz (GHz), or billion cycles per second.

4.40 GHz

Performance-core Max Turbo Frequency

Maximum P-core turbo frequency derived from Intel® Turbo Boost Technology.

4.40 GHz

Efficient-core Max Turbo Frequency

Maximum E-core turbo frequency derived from Intel® Turbo Boost Technology.

3.10 GHz

Intel Hyper-Threading Technology

Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology) delivers two processing threads per physical core. Highly threaded applications can get more work done in parallel, completing tasks sooner.

Yes

Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 Frequency

Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 identifies the best performing core(s) on a processor and provides increased performance on those cores through increasing frequency as needed by taking advantage of power and thermal headroom. Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 frequency is the clock frequency of the CPU when running in this mode.

4.40 GHz

Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0

Yes

L3 Cache

12 MB

CPU Socket

The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.

FCBGA1964

Technology

Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.

Intel 7

TDP

55 W

Processor Base Power

The time-averaged power dissipation that the processor is validated to not exceed during manufacturing while executing an Intel-specified high complexity workload at Base Frequency and at the junction temperature as specified in the Datasheet for the SKU segment and configuration.

55 W

Maximum Turbo Power

The maximum sustained (>1s) power dissipation of the processor as limited by current and/or temperature controls. Instantaneous power may exceed Maximum Turbo Power for short durations (<=10ms). Note: Maximum Turbo Power is configurable by system vendor and can be system specific.

157 W

Minimum Assured Power

45 W

Max. Operating Temperature

Junction Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor die.

100°C

PCI Express Version

PCI Express Revision is the supported version of the PCI Express standard. Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (or PCIe) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for attaching hardware devices to a computer. The different PCI Express versions support different data rates.

5.0 and 4.0

Number of PCI Express Lanes

A PCI Express (PCIe) lane consists of two differential signaling pairs, one for receiving data, one for transmitting data, and is the basic unit of the PCIe bus. Max # of PCI Express Lanes is the total number of supported lanes.

Instruction Set

The instruction set is a hard program stored inside the CPU that guides and optimizes CPU operations. With these instruction sets, the CPU can run more efficiently. There are many manufacturers that design CPUs, which results in different instruction sets, such as the 8086 instruction set for the Intel camp and the RISC instruction set for the ARM camp. x86, ARM v8, and MIPS are all codes for instruction sets. Instruction sets can be extended; for example, x86 added 64-bit support to create x86-64. Manufacturers developing CPUs that are compatible with a certain instruction set need authorization from the instruction set patent holder. A typical example is Intel authorizing AMD, enabling the latter to develop CPUs compatible with the x86 instruction set.

64-bit

PCI Express Configurations

PCI Express (PCIe) Configurations describe the available PCIe lane configurations that can be used to link to PCIe devices.

Up to 1x16+4 | 2x8+4

Memory Specifications

Memory Type

Intel® processors come in four different types: Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel, and Flex Mode. Maximum supported memory speed may be lower when populating multiple DIMMs per channel on products that support multiple memory channels.

Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s

Max Memory Size

Max memory size refers to the maximum memory capacity supported by the processor.

128 GB

Memory Channels

The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.

Max Memory Bandwidth

Max Memory bandwidth is the maximum rate at which data can be read from or stored into a semiconductor memory by the processor (in GB/s).

76.8 GB/s

ECC Memory Supported

ECC Memory Supported indicates processor support for Error-Correcting Code memory. ECC memory is a type of system memory that can detect and correct common kinds of internal data corruption. Note that ECC memory support requires both processor and chipset support.

GPU Specifications

Integrated Graphics Model

An integrated GPU refers to the graphics core that is integrated into the CPU processor. Leveraging the processor's powerful computational capabilities and intelligent power efficiency management, it delivers outstanding graphics performance and a smooth application experience at a lower power consumption.

Intel® UHD Graphics for 12th Gen Intel® Processors

Graphics Frequency

Graphics max dynamic frequency refers to the maximum opportunistic graphics render clock frequency (in MHz) that can be supported using Intel® HD Graphics with Dynamic Frequency feature.

1.30 GHz

DirectX Support

DirectX* Support indicates support for a specific version of Microsoft’s collection of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for handling multimedia compute tasks.

12.1

Execution Units

The Execution Unit is the foundational building block of Intel’s graphics architecture. Execution Units are compute processors optimized for simultaneous Multi-Threading for high throughput compute power.

Max Resolution (HDMI)

Max Resolution (HDMI) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor via the HDMI interface (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your system.

4096 x 2304 @ 60Hz

Max Resolution (DP)

Max Resolution (DP) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor via the DP interface (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your system.

7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz

Max Resolution (eDP - Integrated Flat Panel)

Max Resolution (Integrated Flat Panel) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor for a device with an integrated flat panel (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your device.

5120 x 3200 @ 120Hz

Number of Displays Supported

Graphics Output

Graphics Output defines the interfaces available to communicate with display devices.

eDP 1.4b | DP 1.4a | HDMI 2.1

Miscellaneous

Intel Deep Learning Boost (Intel DL Boost) on CPU

A new set of embedded processor technologies designed to accelerate AI deep learning use cases. It extends Intel AVX-512 with a new Vector Neural Network Instruction (VNNI) that significantly increases deep learning inference performance over previous generations.

Yes

Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x)

Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x) allows one hardware platform to function as multiple “virtual” platforms. It offers improved manageability by limiting downtime and maintaining productivity by isolating computing activities into separate partitions.

Yes

Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)

Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d) continues from the existing support for IA-32 (VT-x) and Itanium® processor (VT-i) virtualization adding new support for I/O-device virtualization. Intel VT-d can help end users improve security and reliability of the systems and also improve performance of I/O devices in virtualized environments.

Yes

Intel Standard Manageability (ISM)

Intel® Standard Manageability is the manageability solution for Intel vPro® Essentials platforms and is a subset of Intel® AMT with out-of-band management over Ethernet and Wi-Fi, but no KVM or new life cycle management features.

Intel® SSE4.1 | Intel® SSE4.2 | Intel® AVX2

Execute Disable Bit

Execute Disable Bit is a hardware-based security feature that can reduce exposure to viruses and malicious-code attacks and prevent harmful software from executing and propagating on the server or network.

Yes

Cache

CPU Cache is an area of fast memory located on the processor. Intel® Smart Cache refers to the architecture that allows all cores to dynamically share access to the last level cache.

12 MB Intel® Smart Cache

Intel AES New Instructions

Intel® AES New Instructions (Intel® AES-NI) are a set of instructions that enable fast and secure data encryption and decryption. AES-NI are valuable for a wide range of cryptographic applications, for example: applications that perform bulk encryption/decryption, authentication, random number generation, and authenticated encryption.

Yes

Intel High Definition Audio

Yes

Intel Active Management Technology (AMT)

Intel Volume Management Device (VMD)

Intel® Volume Management Device (VMD) provides a common, robust method of hot plug and LED management for NVMe-based solid state drives.

Yes

Intel Boot Guard

Intel® Device Protection Technology with Boot Guard helps protect the system’s pre-OS environment from viruses and malicious software attacks.

Yes

Intel VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)

Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT), also known as Second Level Address Translation (SLAT), provides acceleration for memory intensive virtualized applications. Extended Page Tables in Intel® Virtualization Technology platforms reduces the memory and power overhead costs and increases battery life through hardware optimization of page table management.

Yes

Intel QuickAssist Software Acceleration

Yes

Intel Control-Flow Enforcement Technology

CET - Intel Control-flow Enforcement Technology (CET) helps protect against the misuse of legitimate code snippets through return-oriented programming (ROP) control-flow hijacking attacks.

Yes

Intel Flex Memory Access

Yes

Intel OS Guard

Yes

OpenGL Support

OpenGL (Open Graphics Library) is a cross-language, multi-platform API (Application Programming Interface) for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics.

4.6

OpenCL Support

OpenCL (Open Computing Language) is a multi-platform API (Application Programming Interface) for heterogeneous parallel programming.

3.0

Intel Quick Sync Video