Core i5-12500 vs Core i7-12700TE

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 i5-12500 vs Core i7-12700TE 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 i5-12500 vs Core i7-12700TE: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-12500

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $166 less on MSRP ($212 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).
✅Delivers 78.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 93.1 vs 52.2 PassMark/$ ($212 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 770, while Core i7-12700TE needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (19,739 vs 19,744).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 25 MB).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Core i7-12700TE

2022

Why buy it

✅+0% higher PassMark.
✅+38.9% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12500 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 52.2 vs 93.1 PassMark/$ ($378 MSRP vs $212 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-12500 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12500.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-12700TE better than Core i5-12500?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-12500 is ahead with a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-12700TE pulls ahead with 0% better PassMark. Core i7-12700TE also has the bigger cache pool with 38.9% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 18 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-12700TE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 38.9% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 18 MB).

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

Core i7-12700TE is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12500 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-12700TE comes in 78.3% more expensive on MSRP at $378 MSRP versus $212 MSRP, and it still gives you 0% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-12500 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12500 is also 78.3% better value on MSRP (93.1 vs 52.2 PassMark/$), 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 i7-12700TE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 38.9% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 18 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 20 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-12500 vs Core i7-12700TE Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-12500

The Core i5-12500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 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: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 19,739 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i7-12700TE

The Core i7-12700TE 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 12 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 19,744 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12500 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-12700TE offers 12 cores / 20 threads — the Core i7-12700TE has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-12500 versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-12700TE — identical boost frequencies (base: 3 GHz vs 1.4 GHz). Both are built on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture using a Intel 7 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-12500 scores 19,739 against the Core i7-12700TE's 19,744 — a 0% lead for the Core i7-12700TE. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12500 vs 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700TE.

Feature	Core i5-12500	Core i7-12700TE
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	12 / 20+100%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	4.6 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+114%	1.4 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	25 MB (total)+39%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-30%	10 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	19,739	19,744
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,978	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,319	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	9,003	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 4.0.

Feature	Core i5-12500	Core i7-12700TE
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-12500) / not specified (Core i7-12700TE). The Core i5-12500 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Core i7-12700TE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12500 targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i5-12500 rivals Ryzen 5 5500.

Feature	Core i5-12500	Core i7-12700TE
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 770	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Productivity	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12500 was priced at $212, while the Core i7-12700TE came in at $378. On launch pricing ($212 vs $378), Core i5-12500 was $166 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12500 delivers 93.1 pts/$ vs 52.2 pts/$ for the Core i7-12700TE — making the Core i5-12500 the 56.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12500	Core i7-12700TE
MSRP	$212-44%	$378
Performance per Dollar	93.1+78%	52.2
Release Date	2022	2022

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