Core i5-12500E vs Core Ultra 9 288V
Core i5-12500E
Core Ultra 9 288V
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-12500E
Performance Per Dollar Core Ultra 9 288V
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-12500E | Core Ultra 9 288V |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($200) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($600) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / 10 nm) | ✨ Modern (Lunar Lake (2024) / 3 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-12500E | Core Ultra 9 288V |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+202%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($200) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($600) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12500E and Core Ultra 9 288V
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 Ultra 9 288V
The Core Ultra 9 288V 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 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 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): 30 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 20,280 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The Core i5-12500E packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 9 288V offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core Ultra 9 288V has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i5-12500E versus 5.1 GHz on the Core Ultra 9 288V — a 12.5% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 9 288V (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i5-12500E uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (10 nm), while the Core Ultra 9 288V uses Lunar Lake (2024) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12500E scores 20,411 against the Core Ultra 9 288V's 20,280 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-12500E. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,528 vs 9,300 (29.6% advantage for the Core i5-12500E). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,168 vs 2,800, a 25.4% lead for the Core Ultra 9 288V that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 8,615 vs 10,000 (14.9% advantage for the Core Ultra 9 288V). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12500E vs 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 9 288V.
| Feature | Core i5-12500E | Core Ultra 9 288V |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 8 / 8+33% |
| Boost Clock | 4.5 GHz | 5.1 GHz+13% |
| Base Clock | 2.9 GHz | 3.3 GHz+14% |
| L3 Cache | 18 MB (total)+50% | 12 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB (per core)+100% |
| Process | 10 nm | 3 nm-70% |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-S (2022) | Lunar Lake (2024) |
| PassMark | 20,411 | 20,280 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 12,528+35% | 9,300 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,168 | 2,800+29% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 8,615 | 10,000+16% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-12500E uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 9 288V uses FCBGA2833 (PCIe 5.0) — 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 32 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12500E) vs 8 (Core Ultra 9 288V) — the Core i5-12500E offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: 600-series,W680 (Core i5-12500E) and SoC (Core Ultra 9 288V).
| Feature | Core i5-12500E | Core Ultra 9 288V |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | FCBGA2833 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800 | LPDDR5X-8533 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB+300% | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20+150% | 8 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-12500E) vs true (Core Ultra 9 288V). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 770 (Core i5-12500E) and Intel Arc 140V (Core Ultra 9 288V) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12500E targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i5-12500E rivals EPYC 7413.
| Feature | Core i5-12500E | Core Ultra 9 288V |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 770 | Intel Arc 140V |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | true |
| Target Use | Workstation | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-12500E launched at $225 MSRP, while the Core Ultra 9 288V debuted at $600. At current prices ($200 vs $600), the Core i5-12500E is $400 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12500E delivers 102.1 pts/$ vs 33.8 pts/$ for the Core Ultra 9 288V — making the Core i5-12500E the 100.5% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-12500E | Core Ultra 9 288V |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $225-63% | $600 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $200-67% | $600 |
| Performance per Dollar | 102.1+202% | 33.8 |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2024 |
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