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 i9-10900F 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 i9-10900F: 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

✅Costs $252 less on MSRP ($212 MSRP vs $464 MSRP).
✅Delivers 118.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 93.1 vs 42.7 PassMark/$ ($212 MSRP vs $464 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 770, while Core i9-10900F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-10900F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (12,978 vs 13,500).

Core i9-10900F

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +15.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 42.7 vs 93.1 PassMark/$ ($464 MSRP vs $212 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i5-12500 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-12500 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-10900F better than Core i5-12500?

Yes. Core i9-10900F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 15.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 0.3% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-10900F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 15.5% 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 i9-10900F is the stronger fit. You are getting 4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads.

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

Core i9-10900F is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12500 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-10900F comes in 118.9% more expensive on MSRP at $464 MSRP versus $212 MSRP, and it still gives you a 15.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12500 is also 118.2% better value on MSRP (93.1 vs 42.7 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1700 + DDR5 setup, Core i5-12500 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-12500 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 LGA1200. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12500 vs Core i9-10900F 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 i9-10900F

The Core i9-10900F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 19,800 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12500 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i9-10900F offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Core i9-10900F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-12500 versus 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-10900F — a 10.3% clock advantage for the Core i9-10900F (base: 3 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i5-12500 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-10900F uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12500 scores 19,739 against the Core i9-10900F's 19,800 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i9-10900F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,978 vs 13,500 (3.9% advantage for the Core i9-10900F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,319 vs 1,701, a 30.7% lead for the Core i5-12500 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 9,003 vs 8,456 (6.3% advantage for the Core i5-12500). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12500 vs 20 MB (total) on the Core i9-10900F.

Feature	Core i5-12500	Core i9-10900F
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	10 / 20+67%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	5.1 GHz+11%
Base Clock	3 GHz+7%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	20 MB (total)+11%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	19,739	19,800
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,978	13,500+4%
Geekbench 6 Single	2,319+36%	1,701
Geekbench 6 Multi	9,003+6%	8,456

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12500 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i9-10900F uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12500 versus DDR4-2933 on the Core i9-10900F — the Core i5-12500 supports 63.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12500) vs 16 (Core i9-10900F) — the Core i5-12500 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12500) and B460,H470,Z490,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i9-10900F).

Feature	Core i5-12500	Core i9-10900F
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+64%	DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i5-12500 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Core i9-10900F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12500 targets Productivity, Core i9-10900F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-12500 rivals Ryzen 5 5500; Core i9-10900F rivals Ryzen 7 3800X.

Feature	Core i5-12500	Core i9-10900F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 770	—
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Productivity	Gaming

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12500 was priced at $212, while the Core i9-10900F came in at $464. On launch pricing ($212 vs $464), Core i5-12500 was $252 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12500 delivers 93.1 pts/$ vs 42.7 pts/$ for the Core i9-10900F — making the Core i5-12500 the 74.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12500	Core i9-10900F
MSRP	$212-54%	$464
Performance per Dollar	93.1+118%	42.7
Release Date	2022	2020

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