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 i7-12800HE

2022

Why buy it

✅+1.4% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅16.7% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics, while Ryzen 7 5800 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 32 MB).

Ryzen 7 5800

2020

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (25,735 vs 26,096).
❌Launch MSRP is still $349 MSRP, while Core i7-12800HE mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i7-12800HE moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-12800HE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-12800HE

2022

Ryzen 7 5800

2020

Why buy it

✅+1.4% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅16.7% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics, while Ryzen 7 5800 needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 32 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (25,735 vs 26,096).
❌Launch MSRP is still $349 MSRP, while Core i7-12800HE mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i7-12800HE moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-12800HE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-12800HE better than Ryzen 7 5800?

Yes. Core i7-12800HE is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 1.0% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.4% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

For gaming, the two CPUs are effectively a wash in the available data.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-12800HE 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 i7-12800HE is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 7 5800 makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i7-12800HE is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $349 MSRP, and it gives you a 1.0% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 7 5800 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (73.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

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

Core i7-12800HE is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2020), a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of AM4, and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 20 threads instead of 8/16. 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 i7-12800HE Benchmark Check

Ryzen 7 5800 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-12800HE	Ryzen 7 5800
1080p
low	170 FPS	166 FPS
medium	154 FPS	136 FPS
high	129 FPS	119 FPS
ultra	107 FPS	96 FPS
1440p
low	141 FPS	145 FPS
medium	121 FPS	116 FPS
high	99 FPS	98 FPS
ultra	83 FPS	79 FPS
4K
low	77 FPS	80 FPS
medium	71 FPS	69 FPS
high	57 FPS	55 FPS
ultra	45 FPS	44 FPS

Open Core i7-12800HE Open Ryzen 7 5800

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-12800HE	Ryzen 7 5800
1080p
low	591 FPS	643 FPS
medium	505 FPS	541 FPS
high	426 FPS	441 FPS
ultra	386 FPS	397 FPS
1440p
low	506 FPS	551 FPS
medium	445 FPS	477 FPS
high	387 FPS	401 FPS
ultra	334 FPS	345 FPS
4K
low	312 FPS	342 FPS
medium	277 FPS	299 FPS
high	261 FPS	273 FPS
ultra	228 FPS	241 FPS

Open Core i7-12800HE Open Ryzen 7 5800

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-12800HE	Ryzen 7 5800
1080p
low	652 FPS	643 FPS
medium	582 FPS	547 FPS
high	533 FPS	497 FPS
ultra	458 FPS	425 FPS
1440p
low	615 FPS	558 FPS
medium	511 FPS	460 FPS
high	458 FPS	419 FPS
ultra	397 FPS	358 FPS
4K
low	460 FPS	405 FPS
medium	371 FPS	325 FPS
high	330 FPS	294 FPS
ultra	271 FPS	231 FPS

Open Core i7-12800HE Open Ryzen 7 5800

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-12800HE	Ryzen 7 5800
1080p
low	652 FPS	643 FPS
medium	652 FPS	643 FPS
high	652 FPS	643 FPS
ultra	625 FPS	643 FPS
1440p
low	652 FPS	643 FPS
medium	652 FPS	643 FPS
high	583 FPS	622 FPS
ultra	512 FPS	536 FPS
4K
low	522 FPS	556 FPS
medium	478 FPS	502 FPS
high	428 FPS	447 FPS
ultra	375 FPS	391 FPS

Open Core i7-12800HE Open Ryzen 7 5800

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-12800HE and Ryzen 7 5800

Core i7-12800HE

The Core i7-12800HE 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 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 26,096 points. Launch price was $299.

Ryzen 7 5800

The Ryzen 7 5800 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 25,735 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-12800HE packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen 7 5800 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i7-12800HE has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-12800HE versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 7 5800 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i7-12800HE uses the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture (10 nm), while the Ryzen 7 5800 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-12800HE scores 26,096 against the Ryzen 7 5800's 25,735 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i7-12800HE. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i7-12800HE vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 5800.

Feature	Core i7-12800HE	Ryzen 7 5800
Cores / Threads	14 / 20+75%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	4.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	3.4 GHz+42%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	32 MB+33%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+150%	512K (per core)
Process	10 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-30%
Architecture	Alder Lake-H (2022)	Vermeer (2020−2025)
PassMark	26,096+1%	25,735
Geekbench 6 Single	1,750	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	12,200	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-12800HE uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 7 5800 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i7-12800HE versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 5800 — the Core i7-12800HE supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 7 5800 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 28 (Core i7-12800HE) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 5800) — the Core i7-12800HE offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i7-12800HE	Ryzen 7 5800
Socket	FCBGA1744	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+25%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	28+17%	24

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 7 5800 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-12800HE) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 7 5800). The Core i7-12800HE includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics), while the Ryzen 7 5800 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-12800HE targets Embedded, Ryzen 7 5800 targets OEM Gaming.