Core i5-12490F vs Core i5-12500E

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 i5-12490F vs Core i5-12500E 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 i5-12490F vs Core i5-12500E: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-12490F

2022

Why buy it

✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock Cooler), unlike Core i5-12500E.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12500E across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (12,500 vs 12,528).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 81.5 vs 90.7 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-12500E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-12500E

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $25 less on MSRP ($225 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
✅Delivers 11.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 90.7 vs 81.5 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 770, while Core i5-12490F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12490F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12500E better than Core i5-12490F?

Yes. Core i5-12500E is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 0.2% higher 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 i5-12500E is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.6% 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 i5-12500E is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-12500E is the better buy right now. Core i5-12500E comes in $25 cheaper on MSRP at $225 MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 11.4% better value on MSRP (90.7 vs 81.5 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-12500E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-12490F vs Core i5-12500E Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-12490F

The Core i5-12490F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 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: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 20,366 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i5-12500E

The Core i5-12500E 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 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 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): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 20,411 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-12490F and Core i5-12500E share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-12490F versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i5-12500E — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-12490F (base: 3 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). Both are built on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture using a 10 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-12490F scores 20,366 against the Core i5-12500E's 20,411 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-12500E. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,500 vs 12,528 (0.2% advantage for the Core i5-12500E). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,800 vs 2,168, a 18.5% lead for the Core i5-12500E that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 8,800 vs 8,615 (2.1% advantage for the Core i5-12490F). L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-12490F vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12500E.

Feature	Core i5-12490F	Core i5-12500E
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+2%	4.5 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+3%	2.9 GHz
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)+11%	18 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm	10 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	20,366	20,411
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,500	12,528
Geekbench 6 Single	1,800	2,168+20%
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,800+2%	8,615

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 5.0. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: B660,H610,H670,Z690,B760 (Core i5-12490F) and 600-series,W680 (Core i5-12500E).

Feature	Core i5-12490F	Core i5-12500E
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	DDR5-4800
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. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12490F) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-12500E). The Core i5-12500E includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Core i5-12490F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12490F targets Gaming Desktop, Core i5-12500E targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i5-12490F rivals Ryzen 5 5600X; Core i5-12500E rivals EPYC 7413.

Feature	Core i5-12490F	Core i5-12500E
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	None	UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming Desktop	Workstation

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12490F was priced at $250, while the Core i5-12500E came in at $225. On launch pricing ($250 vs $225), Core i5-12500E was $25 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12490F delivers 81.5 pts/$ vs 90.7 pts/$ for the Core i5-12500E — making the Core i5-12500E the 10.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12490F	Core i5-12500E
MSRP	$250	$225-10%
Performance per Dollar	81.5	90.7+11%
Release Date	2022	2022

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