Core i5-12490F vs Xeon Gold 6250

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 6250 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 6250: 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

✅Costs $3,150 less on MSRP ($250 MSRP vs $3,400 MSRP).
✅Delivers 1247.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.5 vs 6.0 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $3,400 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 185W, a 120W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA3647 and DDR4.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6250 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (20,366 vs 20,552).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 36 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Gold 6250, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads.

Xeon Gold 6250

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +21.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+78.8% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.0 vs 81.5 PassMark/$ ($3,400 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
❌184.6% higher power demand at 185W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on LGA3647 with DDR4, while Core i5-12490F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12490F.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6250 better than Core i5-12490F?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Gold 6250 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 gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon Gold 6250 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 21.1% 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, Xeon Gold 6250 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 78.8% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 20 MB).

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

Xeon Gold 6250 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12490F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon Gold 6250 comes in 1260.0% more expensive on MSRP at $3,400 MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you a 21.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12490F is also 1247.7% better value on MSRP (81.5 vs 6.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-12490F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2020) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA3647. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12490F vs Xeon Gold 6250 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 6250

The Xeon Gold 6250 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 35.75 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 185 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 20,552 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12490F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6250 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon Gold 6250 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-12490F versus 4.5 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6250 — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-12490F (base: 3 GHz vs 3.9 GHz). The Core i5-12490F is built on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-12490F scores 20,366 against the Xeon Gold 6250's 20,552 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon Gold 6250. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-12490F vs 35.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 6250.

Feature	Core i5-12490F	Xeon Gold 6250
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+2%	4.5 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.9 GHz+30%
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	35.75 MB+79%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	—
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	—
PassMark	20,366	20,552
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 6250 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-12490F	Xeon Gold 6250
Socket	LGA1700	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
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 6250). Primary use case: Core i5-12490F targets Gaming Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12490F rivals Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Core i5-12490F	Xeon Gold 6250
Integrated GPU	No	—
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Gaming Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12490F was priced at $250, while the Xeon Gold 6250 came in at $3400. On launch pricing ($250 vs $3400), Core i5-12490F was $3150 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12490F delivers 81.5 pts/$ vs 6.0 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6250 — making the Core i5-12490F the 172.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12490F	Xeon Gold 6250
MSRP	$250-93%	$3400
Performance per Dollar	81.5+1258%	6.0
Release Date	2022	2020

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