Core 7 150U vs Core i5-12500TE

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.

Core 7 150U vs Core i5-12500TE FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core 7 150U vs Core i5-12500TE: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core 7 150U

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 15W instead of 35W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (14,939 vs 15,008).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 18 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-12500TE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-12500TE

2022

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD 770, while Core 7 150U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core 7 150U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $225 MSRP, while Core 7 150U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌133.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 7 150U better than Core i5-12500TE?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core 7 150U is ahead with a 14.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12500TE pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark. Core i5-12500TE also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12500TE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core 7 150U is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12500TE is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core 7 150U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-12500TE is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.5% better PassMark. Core i5-12500TE is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (66.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core 7 150U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2022). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core 7 150U vs Core i5-12500TE Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core 7 150U

The Core 7 150U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-U Refresh (2024) architecture. It features 10 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4X-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 14,939 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i5-12500TE

The Core i5-12500TE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 15,008 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 7 150U packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-12500TE offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core 7 150U has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.4 GHz on the Core 7 150U versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-12500TE — a 22.7% clock advantage for the Core 7 150U (base: 1.8 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Core 7 150U uses the Raptor Lake-U Refresh (2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i5-12500TE uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core 7 150U scores 14,939 against the Core i5-12500TE's 15,008 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-12500TE. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core 7 150U vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12500TE.

Feature	Core 7 150U	Core i5-12500TE
Cores / Threads	10 / 12+67%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	5.4 GHz+26%	4.3 GHz
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	1.9 GHz+6%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	18 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm	10 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-U Refresh (2024)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	14,939	15,008
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	659
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,962
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,898

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 7 150U uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-12500TE uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 7 150U	Core i5-12500TE
Socket	FCBGA1744	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 7 150U) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-12500TE). The Core i5-12500TE includes integrated graphics (UHD 770), while the Core 7 150U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12500TE targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-12500TE rivals Core i5-12400T.