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 i5-11500 vs Core i5-12600T 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 i5-11500 vs Core i5-12600T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-11500

2021

Why buy it

✅Costs $31 less on MSRP ($192 MSRP vs $223 MSRP).
✅Delivers 13.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 89.0 vs 78.1 PassMark/$ ($192 MSRP vs $223 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-12600T.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12600T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (17,096 vs 17,427).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 18 MB).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i5-12600T moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i5-12600T

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 78.1 vs 89.0 PassMark/$ ($223 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-11500.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12600T better than Core i5-11500?

Yes. Core i5-12600T is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.9% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-12600T is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.7% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12600T is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.9% 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 i5-12600T is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-11500 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-12600T comes in 16.1% more expensive on MSRP at $223 MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-11500 is also 13.9% better value on MSRP (89.0 vs 78.1 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Core i5-11500 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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

Core i5-12600T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2021), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, 50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-11500 vs Core i5-12600T Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-11500

The Core i5-11500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 17,096 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i5-12600T

The Core i5-12600T 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 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 17,427 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-11500 and Core i5-12600T share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-11500 versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-12600T — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i5-11500 uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-12600T uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11500 scores 17,096 against the Core i5-12600T's 17,427 — a 1.9% lead for the Core i5-12600T. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-11500 vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12600T.

Feature	Core i5-11500	Core i5-12600T
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	4.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+29%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	18 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+20380%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Rocket Lake (2021)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	17,096	17,427+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	9,883	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,064	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,564	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11500 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i5-12600T uses LGA1700 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-11500 versus DDR5-4800 on the Core i5-12600T — the Core i5-12600T supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H510,B560,Z590,H470,Z490 (Core i5-11500) and LGA1700 (Core i5-12600T).

Feature	Core i5-11500	Core i5-12600T
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	DDR5-4800+50%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-11500) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-12600T). Both include integrated graphics — UHD 750 (Core i5-11500) and UHD Graphics 770 (Core i5-12600T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11500 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-11500 rivals Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Core i5-11500	Core i5-12600T
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD 750	UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-11500 was priced at $192, while the Core i5-12600T came in at $223. On launch pricing ($192 vs $223), Core i5-11500 was $31 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-11500 delivers 89.0 pts/$ vs 78.1 pts/$ for the Core i5-12600T — making the Core i5-11500 the 13% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-11500	Core i5-12600T
MSRP	$192-14%	$223
Performance per Dollar	89.0+14%	78.1
Release Date	2021	2022

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