Apple M3 vs Core i5-12500H: specs and benchmark comparison
Multi-thread performance
depends on the taskBenchmark results disagree, so the choice depends on the specific task.
No comparable benchmarks yet: single-thread performance, gaming (cpu-bound scenarios), power efficiency.
Advantages
Only measured and rated values: a noticeable benchmark gap and specs where more is better.
Where Apple M3 is better0
No advantages found in our data.
Where Core i5-12500H is better3
Blender Benchmark 4.5.0 12.7% faster141 samples/min vs 126 samples/min
Cores 4 more12 (4P + 8E) vs 8 (4P + 4E)
Max memory capacity 40 GB more64 GB vs 24 GB
Benchmarks
Results are compared within one benchmark, one version and the same conditions. Laptop chip results depend on the laptop model: its maker sets the power limit and cooling.
- B ahead by 12.7%
Blender Benchmark 4.5.0
CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom · samples/min, higher is better
Apple M3125.6 samples/minCore i5-12500H141.4 samples/minPosition among tested models (89)
A · 126B · 1410200400600800Each dot is one model’s median in this benchmark. The scale starts at zero, samples/min. Intel Core i5-12500H is ahead by 12.7% in this benchmark.
About the measurement and source
- A · Apple M3
125.6 samples/min · community measurement, sample 49 · November 14, 2026
Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation)
Median of 49 submissions (0 outliers excluded), interquartile range 111.19–160.43; submissions 2025-07-17 to 2026-03-10; CPU backend. Snapshot 2026-11-14.
- B · Intel Core i5-12500H
141.4 samples/min · community measurement, sample 66 · November 15, 2026
Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation)
Median of 66 submissions (5 outliers excluded), interquartile range 126.2–153.4; submissions 2025-08-05 to 2026-02-19; CPU backend. Snapshot 2026-11-15.
difference = |A − B| ÷ the smaller value × 100%. The 5% noticeable threshold is a UX heuristic, not statistical significance.
Cycles render in Blender Benchmark. Median of the sum of samples per minute over three scenes after removing outliers.
Other comparable benchmarks (5)
| Benchmark | A | B | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blender Benchmark 4.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 133.9 | 149.9 | B +12% |
| Blender Benchmark 4.0.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 168.6 | 140.2 | A +20.3% |
| Blender Benchmark 4.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 162.9 | 140.4 | A +16% |
| Blender Benchmark 4.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 160.6 | 152.3 | A +5.5% |
| Blender Benchmark 4.4.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 154.9 | 144.8 | A +6.9% |
Each benchmark version has its own scale: numbers are compared only within a row.
Reference results (12)
| Benchmark | A | B | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blender Benchmark 5.1.1CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 127.6 | 115.6 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 144.2 | 174.8 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.4.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 160.5 | 161.1 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.6.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 130.2 | 154.9 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.0.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 156.1 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 5.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 154.8 | 149.5 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | — | 150.2 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 3.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | — | 184.7 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 3.2.1CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | — | 174.9 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 3.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | — | 180.4 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 3.5.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | — | 157.2 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 5.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | — | 186.6 | no pair |
Each benchmark version has its own scale: numbers are compared only within a row.
Specifications
Chip maker values. The laptop maker sets the power limit and clocks in each laptop.
| Specification | A · Apple M3 | B · Core i5-12500H | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cores and clocks | |||
| CoresCores of different types may differ in performance. | 8 (4P + 4E) | 12 (4P + 8E) | B: 4 more |
| Threads | no data | 16 | no data for A |
| Max clock (Boost/Turbo) | no data | 4.5 GHz | no data for A |
| Cache | |||
| L3 cache | no data | 18 MB | no data for A |
| Platform | |||
| Socket | no data | FCBGA1744 | no data for A |
| Process node | 3 nm | Intel 7 | differs |
| Memory and interfaces | |||
| Memory type | Unified memory | DDR4, DDR5, LPDDR4x, LPDDR5 | differs |
| Memory channels | no data | 2 | no data for A |
| Official memory speedFor controllers that support two generations, the speed for the newer memory type is shown. | no data | 4,800 MT/s | no data for A |
| Max memory capacity | 24 GB | 64 GB | B: 40 GB more |
| PCI Express | no data | PCIe 4.0, 28 lanes | no data for A |
| Integrated graphics | Apple M3 (8 / 10-core GPU) | Intel Iris Xe Graphics (eligible) | differs |
| Power | |||
| Processor Base Power (Intel) | no data | 45 W | no data for A |
| Maximum Turbo Power (Intel) | no data | 95 W | no data for A |
| Minimum Assured Power (Intel)The lower bound to which the laptop maker can reduce the CPU’s base power. | no data | 35 W | no data for A |
Cores and clocks
Cores
A8 (4P + 4E)
B12 (4P + 8E)
B: 4 moreCores of different types may differ in performance.
Threads
Ano data
B16
no data for AMax clock (Boost/Turbo)
Ano data
B4.5 GHz
no data for A
Cache
L3 cache
Ano data
B18 MB
no data for A
Platform
Socket
Ano data
BFCBGA1744
no data for AProcess node
A3 nm
BIntel 7
differs
Memory and interfaces
Memory type
AUnified memory
BDDR4, DDR5, LPDDR4x, LPDDR5
differsMemory channels
Ano data
B2
no data for AOfficial memory speed
Ano data
B4,800 MT/s
no data for AFor controllers that support two generations, the speed for the newer memory type is shown.
Max memory capacity
A24 GB
B64 GB
B: 40 GB morePCI Express
Ano data
BPCIe 4.0, 28 lanes
no data for AIntegrated graphics
AApple M3 (8 / 10-core GPU)
BIntel Iris Xe Graphics (eligible)
differs
Power
Processor Base Power (Intel)
Ano data
B45 W
no data for AMaximum Turbo Power (Intel)
Ano data
B95 W
no data for AMinimum Assured Power (Intel)
Ano data
B35 W
no data for AThe lower bound to which the laptop maker can reduce the CPU’s base power.
“More” does not always mean “better”: higher power draw or size is a system requirement, not an advantage (such bars are dimmed).
Compare with AI
An AI model reviews the specs and benchmarks of this pair and gives a plain-language verdict on who each model suits.
Questions and answers
Do these CPUs have integrated graphics?
Apple M3: Apple M3 (8 / 10-core GPU). Intel Core i5-12500H: Intel Iris Xe Graphics (eligible).
Which is faster: Apple M3 or Intel Core i5-12500H?
It depends on the task: multi-thread performance: results disagree.
See also
Data sources (3)
- Apple — specifications of Apple M3checked November 14, 2026
- Intel — specifications of Intel Core i5-12500Hchecked November 7, 2026
- Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation) — benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.5.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.1.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.4.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.6.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.0.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.3.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.4.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.0.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.2.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.3.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.5.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.3.0checked November 14, 2026
How we compare: methodology. Where the data comes from: sources.