Core i5-12500E vs Core i5-12500H

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 i5-12500E vs Core i5-12500H 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 i5-12500E vs Core i5-12500H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-12500E

2022

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (2,168 vs 2,260).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (8,615 vs 9,900).
❌Launch MSRP is still $225 MSRP, while Core i5-12500H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Core i5-12500H

2022

Why buy it

✅+4.2% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12500H better than Core i5-12500E?

Yes. Core i5-12500H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 14.9% better Geekbench multi-core, 0.2% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-12500H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.3% 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 i5-12500H is the stronger fit. You are getting 14.9% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 12 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i5-12500H is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12500E is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-12500H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12500E is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (90.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-12500H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 16 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-12500E vs Core i5-12500H Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-12500E

The Core i5-12500E 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 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 18 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: 20,411 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i5-12500H

The Core i5-12500H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 20,462 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12500E packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-12500H offers 12 cores / 16 threads — the Core i5-12500H has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i5-12500E versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i5-12500H — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-12500E uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i5-12500H uses Alder Lake-H (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12500E scores 20,411 against the Core i5-12500H's 20,462 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-12500H. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,168 vs 2,260, a 4.2% lead for the Core i5-12500H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 8,615 vs 9,900 (13.9% advantage for the Core i5-12500H). Both processors carry 18 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-12500E	Core i5-12500H
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	12 / 16+100%
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	4.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+16%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	18 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm	Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Alder Lake-H (2022)
PassMark	20,411	20,462
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,528	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,168	2,260+4%
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,615	9,900+15%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12500E uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-12500H uses FCBGA1744 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. The Core i5-12500E supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: 600-series,W680 (Core i5-12500E) and Adler Lake-H PCH (Core i5-12500H).

Feature	Core i5-12500E	Core i5-12500H
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA1744
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	20

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 770 (Core i5-12500E) and Intel Iris Xe Graphics 80EU (Core i5-12500H) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12500E targets Workstation, Core i5-12500H targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12500E rivals EPYC 7413.

Feature	Core i5-12500E	Core i5-12500H
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 770	Intel Iris Xe Graphics 80EU
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Workstation	Performance Laptop