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 i5-11600K vs Core i5-12500 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 i5-11600K vs Core i5-12500: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-11600K

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (19,520 vs 19,739).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 74.5 vs 93.1 PassMark/$ ($262 MSRP vs $212 MSRP).
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i5-12500 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i5-12500

2022

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Costs $50 less on MSRP ($212 MSRP vs $262 MSRP).
✅Delivers 25.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 93.1 vs 74.5 PassMark/$ ($212 MSRP vs $262 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-11600K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12500 better than Core i5-11600K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-11600K is ahead with a 6.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12500 pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark. Core i5-12500 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 i5-12500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% 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 i5-12500 is the better buy right now. Core i5-12500 comes in $50 cheaper on MSRP at $212 MSRP versus $262 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-11600K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 6.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 25.0% better value on MSRP (93.1 vs 74.5 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Core i5-11600K can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap, but on MSRP alone you would want to find it meaningfully cheaper in real-world listings before that path becomes easy to justify.

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

Core i5-12500 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 i5-11600K vs Core i5-12500 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-11600K

The Core i5-11600K 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 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,520 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i5-12500

The Core i5-12500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3 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): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 19,739 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-11600K and Core i5-12500 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i5-11600K versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-12500 — a 6.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-11600K (base: 3.9 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-11600K uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-12500 uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11600K scores 19,520 against the Core i5-12500's 19,739 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-12500. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-11600K vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12500.

Feature	Core i5-11600K	Core i5-12500
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+7%	4.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.9 GHz+30%	3 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	19,520	19,739+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,978
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,319
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	9,003

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11600K uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i5-12500 uses LGA1700 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-11600K versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12500 — the Core i5-12500 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: Intel 500 series,Intel 400 series (Core i5-11600K) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12500).

Feature	Core i5-11600K	Core i5-12500
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+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

Only the Core i5-11600K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i5-11600K supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 750 (Core i5-11600K) and UHD Graphics 770 (Core i5-12500) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11600K targets Desktop, Core i5-12500 targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i5-12500 rivals Ryzen 5 5500.

Feature	Core i5-11600K	Core i5-12500
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 750	UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Desktop	Productivity

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-11600K was priced at $262, while the Core i5-12500 came in at $212. On launch pricing ($262 vs $212), Core i5-12500 was $50 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-11600K delivers 74.5 pts/$ vs 93.1 pts/$ for the Core i5-12500 — making the Core i5-12500 the 22.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-11600K	Core i5-12500
MSRP	$262	$212-19%
Performance per Dollar	74.5	93.1+25%
Release Date	2021	2022

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