Core i5-12490F vs Xeon Gold 5315Y

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 Xeon Gold 5315Y 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 Xeon Gold 5315Y: 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

✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Draws 65W instead of 140W, a 75W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA4189 and DDR4.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock Cooler), unlike Xeon Gold 5315Y.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (20,366 vs 20,477).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Gold 5315Y, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $250 MSRP, while Xeon Gold 5315Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon Gold 5315Y

2021

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 20 MB).
❌115.4% higher power demand at 140W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on LGA4189 with DDR4, while Core i5-12490F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12490F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12490F better than Xeon Gold 5315Y?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Gold 5315Y makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-12490F is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 5315Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i5-12490F is the better buy right now. Core i5-12490F comes in at an unclear MSRP at $250 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon Gold 5315Y is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.5% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (81.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-12490F 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 LGA4189, and 66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12490F vs Xeon Gold 5315Y 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.

Xeon Gold 5315Y

The Xeon Gold 5315Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4189. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 20,477 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12490F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon Gold 5315Y offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon Gold 5315Y has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-12490F versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5315Y — a 24.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-12490F (base: 3 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-12490F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon Gold 5315Y uses Ice Lake-SP (2021) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12490F scores 20,366 against the Xeon Gold 5315Y's 20,477 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon Gold 5315Y. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-12490F vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 5315Y.

Feature	Core i5-12490F	Xeon Gold 5315Y
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+28%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.2 GHz+7%
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)+67%	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+25%	1 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm	10 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Ice Lake-SP (2021)
PassMark	20,366	20,477
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,500	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,800	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,800	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12490F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon Gold 5315Y uses LGA4189 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-12490F	Xeon Gold 5315Y
Socket	LGA1700	LGA4189
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12490F) / not specified (Xeon Gold 5315Y). Primary use case: Core i5-12490F targets Gaming Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12490F rivals Ryzen 5 5600X.