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 i5-1240P vs Core i5-12500T 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 i5-1240P vs Core i5-12500T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-1240P

2022

Why buy it

✅+70.1% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅Draws 28W instead of 35W, a 7W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (2,102 vs 2,300).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 18 MB).
❌
2.3% HIGHER MSRP
$309 MSRPvs$302 MSRP
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12500T.

Core i5-12500T

2022

Why buy it

✅+9.4% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Costs $7 less on MSRP ($302 MSRP vs $309 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Included), unlike Core i5-1240P.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (6,625 vs 11,268).
❌25% higher power demand at 35W vs 28W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-1240P better than Core i5-12500T?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-12500T is ahead with a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-1240P pulls ahead with 70.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core i5-12500T 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 i5-1240P is the stronger fit. You are getting 70.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 12 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i5-1240P is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12500T is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-1240P comes in 2.3% more expensive on MSRP at $309 MSRP versus $302 MSRP, and it still gives you 70.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. The compromise is that Core i5-12500T is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12500T is also 3.0% better value on MSRP (54.1 vs 52.5 PassMark/$), 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 i5-1240P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 16 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-1240P vs Core i5-12500T Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-1240P

The Core i5-1240P is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 February 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-P (2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 16,224 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i5-12500T

The Core i5-12500T 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 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 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: 16,339 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-1240P packs 12 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i5-12500T offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-1240P has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-1240P versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12500T — identical boost frequencies (base: 1.7 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i5-1240P uses the Alder Lake-P (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-12500T uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-1240P scores 16,224 against the Core i5-12500T's 16,339 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i5-12500T. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 11,268 vs 6,625 (51.9% advantage for the Core i5-1240P). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,102 vs 2,300, a 9% lead for the Core i5-12500T that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 7,577 vs 8,900 (16.1% advantage for the Core i5-12500T). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-1240P vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12500T.

Feature	Core i5-1240P	Core i5-12500T
Cores / Threads	12 / 16+100%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	1.7 GHz	2 GHz+18%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	18 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-P (2022)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	16,224	16,339
Cinebench R23 Multi	11,268+70%	6,625
Geekbench 6 Single	2,102	2,300+9%
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,577	8,900+17%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-1240P uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-12500T uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 memory speed. The Core i5-12500T supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Alder Lake-P (Core i5-1240P) and B660,H610 (Core i5-12500T).

Feature	Core i5-1240P	Core i5-12500T
Socket	FCBGA1744	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Iris Xe Graphics (Core i5-1240P) and Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i5-12500T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1240P targets Budget, Core i5-12500T targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-1240P rivals Ryzen 5 6600U; Core i5-12500T rivals Ryzen 5 5600GE.

Feature	Core i5-1240P	Core i5-12500T
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Iris Xe Graphics	Intel UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Budget	Low Power Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-1240P was priced at $309, while the Core i5-12500T came in at $302. On launch pricing ($309 vs $302), Core i5-12500T was $7 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-1240P delivers 52.5 pts/$ vs 54.1 pts/$ for the Core i5-12500T — making the Core i5-12500T the 3% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-1240P	Core i5-12500T
MSRP	$309	$302-2%
Performance per Dollar	52.5	54.1+3%
Release Date	2022	2022

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