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 Ultra 7 256V 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 Ultra 7 256V: 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: +4.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Costs $238 less on MSRP ($212 MSRP vs $450 MSRP).
✅Delivers 114.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 93.1 vs 43.5 PassMark/$ ($212 MSRP vs $450 MSRP).
✅150% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌282.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 17W.

Core Ultra 7 256V

2024

Why buy it

✅Draws 17W instead of 65W, a 48W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12500 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (10,065 vs 12,978).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 43.5 vs 93.1 PassMark/$ ($450 MSRP vs $212 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12500.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12500 better than Core Ultra 7 256V?

Yes. Core i5-12500 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 28.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 0.8% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-12500 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.7% 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 i5-12500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 28.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i5-12500 is the better buy right now. Core i5-12500 comes in $238 cheaper on MSRP at $212 MSRP versus $450 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 114.0% better value on MSRP (93.1 vs 43.5 PassMark/$), 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 Ultra 7 256V makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2022). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12500 vs Core Ultra 7 256V 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 Ultra 7 256V

The Core Ultra 7 256V is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 September 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2.5 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2833. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 19,579 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12500 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 256V offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core Ultra 7 256V has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-12500 versus 4.8 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 256V — a 4.3% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 256V (base: 3 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i5-12500 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 256V uses Lunar Lake (2024) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12500 scores 19,739 against the Core Ultra 7 256V's 19,579 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-12500. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,978 vs 10,065 (25.3% advantage for the Core i5-12500). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,319 vs 2,658, a 13.6% lead for the Core Ultra 7 256V that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 9,003 vs 11,000 (20% advantage for the Core Ultra 7 256V). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12500 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 256V.

Feature	Core i5-12500	Core Ultra 7 256V
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 8+33%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	4.8 GHz+4%
Base Clock	3 GHz+36%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)+50%	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2.5 MB (per core)+100%
Process	Intel 7 nm	3 nm-57%
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Lunar Lake (2024)
PassMark	19,739	19,579
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,978+29%	10,065
Geekbench 6 Single	2,319	2,658+15%
Geekbench 6 Multi	9,003	11,000+22%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12500 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core Ultra 7 256V uses FCBGA2833 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12500 versus LPDDR5x 8533 MT/s on the Core Ultra 7 256V — the Core Ultra 7 256V supports 77.8% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-12500 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12500) vs 8 (Core Ultra 7 256V) — the Core i5-12500 offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12500) and Lunar Lake (Core Ultra 7 256V).

Feature	Core i5-12500	Core Ultra 7 256V
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA2833
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	LPDDR5x 8533 MT/s+78%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+700%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20+150%	8

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-12500) vs true (Core Ultra 7 256V). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 770 (Core i5-12500) and Intel Arc Graphics 140V (Core Ultra 7 256V) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12500 targets Productivity, Core Ultra 7 256V targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i5-12500 rivals Ryzen 5 5500.

Feature	Core i5-12500	Core Ultra 7 256V
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 770	Intel Arc Graphics 140V
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	true
Target Use	Productivity	Mobile

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12500 was priced at $212, while the Core Ultra 7 256V came in at $450. On launch pricing ($212 vs $450), Core i5-12500 was $238 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12500 delivers 93.1 pts/$ vs 43.5 pts/$ for the Core Ultra 7 256V — making the Core i5-12500 the 72.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12500	Core Ultra 7 256V
MSRP	$212-53%	$450
Performance per Dollar	93.1+114%	43.5
Release Date	2022	2024

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