Core i5-12500 vs Xeon W-1350P

Intel

Core i5-12500

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2022
VS
Intel

Xeon W-1350P

6 Cores12 Thrd125 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2021

Core i5-12500 vs Xeon W-1350P Performance Spectrum

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 i5-12500 vs Xeon W-1350P 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 Xeon W-1350P: 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

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +14.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…+50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).
  • βœ…Costs $99 less on MSRP ($212 MSRP vs $311 MSRP).
  • βœ…Delivers 47.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 93.1 vs 63.1 PassMark/$ ($212 MSRP vs $311 MSRP).
  • βœ…Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Xeon W-1350P

2021

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12500 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • ❌Lower PassMark (19,611 vs 19,739).
    • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 18 MB).
    • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 63.1 vs 93.1 PassMark/$ ($311 MSRP vs $212 MSRP).
    • ❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Core i5-12500 better than Xeon W-1350P?
    Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W-1350P makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-12500 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
    Which one is better for gaming?
    If gaming is the priority, Core i5-12500 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 14.6% 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 0.7% better PassMark, 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 $99 cheaper on MSRP at $212 MSRP versus $311 MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 47.7% better value on MSRP (93.1 vs 63.1 PassMark/$), 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 i5-12500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2021), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, 50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

    Core i5-12500 vs Xeon W-1350P Technical Specifications

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

    Intel

    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.

    Intel

    Xeon W-1350P

    The Xeon W-1350P is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake-S (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 19,611 points. Launch price was $311.

    ⚑

    Processing Power

    Both the Core i5-12500 and Xeon W-1350P share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-12500 versus 5.1 GHz on the Xeon W-1350P β€” a 10.3% clock advantage for the Xeon W-1350P (base: 3 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Core i5-12500 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon W-1350P uses Rocket Lake-S (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12500 scores 19,739 against the Xeon W-1350P's 19,611 β€” a 0.7% lead for the Core i5-12500. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12500 vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon W-1350P.

    FeatureCore i5-12500Xeon W-1350P
    Cores / Threads
    6 / 12
    6 / 12
    Boost Clock
    4.6 GHz
    5.1 GHz+11%
    Base Clock
    3 GHz
    4 GHz+33%
    L3 Cache
    18 MB (total)+50%
    12 MB (total)
    L2 Cache
    1.25 MB (per core)+150%
    512 kB (per core)
    Process
    Intel 7 nm-50%
    14 nm
    Architecture
    Alder Lake-S (2022)
    Rocket Lake-S (2021)
    PassMark
    19,739
    19,611
    Cinebench R23 Multi
    12,978
    β€”
    Geekbench 6 Single
    2,319
    β€”
    Geekbench 6 Multi
    9,003
    β€”
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Core i5-12500 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon W-1350P uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    FeatureCore i5-12500Xeon W-1350P
    Socket
    LGA1700
    LGA1200
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 4.0+33%
    PCIe 3.0
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
    β€”
    Max RAM Capacity
    128 GB
    β€”
    RAM Channels
    2
    β€”
    ECC Support
    Yes
    β€”
    PCIe Lanes
    20
    β€”
    πŸ”§

    Advanced Features

    Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-12500) / not specified (Xeon W-1350P). The Core i5-12500 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Xeon W-1350P requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12500 targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i5-12500 rivals Ryzen 5 5500.

    FeatureCore i5-12500Xeon W-1350P
    Integrated GPU
    Yes
    β€”
    IGPU Model
    UHD Graphics 770
    β€”
    Unlocked
    No
    β€”
    AVX-512
    No
    β€”
    Virtualization
    VT-x, VT-d
    β€”
    Target Use
    Productivity
    β€”
    πŸ’°

    Value Analysis

    At launch, the Core i5-12500 was priced at $212, while the Xeon W-1350P came in at $311. On launch pricing ($212 vs $311), Core i5-12500 was $99 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12500 delivers 93.1 pts/$ vs 63.1 pts/$ for the Xeon W-1350P β€” making the Core i5-12500 the 38.5% better value option.

    FeatureCore i5-12500Xeon W-1350P
    MSRP
    $212-32%
    $311
    Performance per Dollar
    93.1+48%
    63.1
    Release Date
    2022
    2021

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