Core i5-12490F vs Xeon W-2150B

CPU

GPU

Core i5-12490F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2022

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Xeon W-2150B

10 Cores20 Thrd120 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2017

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Core i5-12490F vs Xeon W-2150B Performance Spectrum

Core i5-12490F

6 / 12

20,366

0.0%

20,486

+0.6%

About PassMark

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 W-2150B 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 W-2150B: 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

✅+9% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅+45.5% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 14 MB).
✅Costs $249 less on MSRP ($250 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅Delivers 98.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.5 vs 41.1 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 120W, a 55W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-2150B across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon W-2150B, which brings 10 cores / 20 threads and 48 PCIe lanes.
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon W-2150B

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 10 cores / 20 threads, plus 48 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅140% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (11,463 vs 12,500).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (14 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 41.1 vs 81.5 PassMark/$ ($499 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
❌84.6% higher power demand at 120W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2066 with DDR4, while Core i5-12490F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12490F better than Xeon W-2150B?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W-2150B 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, Core i5-12490F is the stronger fit. You are getting 9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 45.5% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 14 MB).

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 $249 cheaper on MSRP at $250 MSRP versus $499 MSRP, and it still gives you 9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. The compromise is that Xeon W-2150B is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 98.4% better value on MSRP (81.5 vs 41.1 PassMark/$), 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 2017), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA2066, 45.5% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 14 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 10/20. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12490F vs Xeon W-2150B 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 W-2150B

The Xeon W-2150B is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 13.75 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 20,486 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12490F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon W-2150B offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon W-2150B has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-12490F versus 4.5 GHz on the Xeon W-2150B — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-12490F (base: 3 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-12490F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon W-2150B uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12490F scores 20,366 against the Xeon W-2150B's 20,486 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon W-2150B. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,500 vs 11,463 (8.7% advantage for the Core i5-12490F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,800 vs 1,410, a 24.3% lead for the Core i5-12490F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 8,800 vs 8,324 (5.6% advantage for the Core i5-12490F). L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-12490F vs 13.75 MB (total) on the Xeon W-2150B.

Feature	Core i5-12490F	Xeon W-2150B
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	10 / 20+67%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+2%	4.5 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz	3 GHz
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)+45%	13.75 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+25%	1 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	20,366	20,486
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,500+9%	11,463
Geekbench 6 Single	1,800+28%	1,410
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,800+6%	8,324

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12490F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon W-2150B uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i5-12490F versus DDR4-2666 on the Xeon W-2150B — the Core i5-12490F supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon W-2150B supports up to 512 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-12490F) vs 4 (Xeon W-2150B). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12490F) vs 48 (Xeon W-2150B) — the Xeon W-2150B offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: B660,H610,H670,Z690,B760 (Core i5-12490F) and C422 (Xeon W-2150B).

Feature	Core i5-12490F	Xeon W-2150B
Socket	LGA1700	LGA2066
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+80%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	512 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	48+140%

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Xeon W-2150B supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12490F) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon W-2150B). Primary use case: Core i5-12490F targets Gaming Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12490F rivals Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Core i5-12490F	Xeon W-2150B
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12490F was priced at $250, while the Xeon W-2150B came in at $499. On launch pricing ($250 vs $499), Core i5-12490F was $249 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12490F delivers 81.5 pts/$ vs 41.1 pts/$ for the Xeon W-2150B — making the Core i5-12490F the 66% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12490F	Xeon W-2150B
MSRP	$250-50%	$499
Performance per Dollar	81.5+98%	41.1
Release Date	2022	2017

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