Core i5-12490F vs Core i5-12500H

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 i5-12500H 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 i5-12500H: 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 i5-12500H.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12500H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (8,800 vs 9,900).
❌Launch MSRP is still $250 MSRP, while Core i5-12500H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-12500H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-12500H

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while Core i5-12490F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

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

Yes. Core i5-12500H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 8.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 12.5% better Geekbench multi-core, 0.5% 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 i5-12500H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.0% 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 i5-12500H is the stronger fit. You are getting 12.5% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 12 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i5-12500H is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12490F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-12500H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12490F is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (81.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-12500H 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 i5-12490F vs Core i5-12500H 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 i5-12500H

The Core i5-12500H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 20,462 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12490F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-12500H offers 12 cores / 16 threads — the Core i5-12500H has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-12490F versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i5-12500H — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-12490F (base: 3 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-12490F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i5-12500H uses Alder Lake-H (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12490F scores 20,366 against the Core i5-12500H's 20,462 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-12500H. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,800 vs 2,260, a 22.7% lead for the Core i5-12500H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 8,800 vs 9,900 (11.8% advantage for the Core i5-12500H). L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-12490F vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12500H.

Feature	Core i5-12490F	Core i5-12500H
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	12 / 16+100%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+2%	4.5 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+20%	2.5 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	Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Alder Lake-H (2022)
PassMark	20,366	20,462
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,500	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,800	2,260+26%
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,800	9,900+13%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12490F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-12500H uses FCBGA1744 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. The Core i5-12490F 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: B660,H610,H670,Z690,B760 (Core i5-12490F) and Adler Lake-H PCH (Core i5-12500H).

Feature	Core i5-12490F	Core i5-12500H
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA1744
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
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 i5-12500H). The Core i5-12500H includes integrated graphics (Intel Iris Xe Graphics 80EU), while the Core i5-12490F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12490F targets Gaming Desktop, Core i5-12500H targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12490F rivals Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Core i5-12490F	Core i5-12500H
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	None	Intel Iris Xe Graphics 80EU
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming Desktop	Performance Laptop