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 Xeon Gold 6138T 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 Xeon Gold 6138T: 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

✅Better for gaming: +11.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $2,517 less on MSRP ($225 MSRP vs $2,742 MSRP).
✅Delivers 1122.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 90.7 vs 7.4 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $2,742 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA3647 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (8,615 vs 11,988).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 28 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Gold 6138T, which brings 20 cores / 40 threads and 48 PCIe lanes.

Xeon Gold 6138T

2017

Why buy it

✅+39.2% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅+52.8% larger total L3 cache (28 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 20 cores / 40 threads, plus 48 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅140% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12500E across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.4 vs 90.7 PassMark/$ ($2,742 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on LGA3647 with DDR4, while Core i5-12500E moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-12500E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12500E better than Xeon Gold 6138T?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Gold 6138T makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-12500E is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6138T is the stronger fit. You are getting 39.2% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 20 cores and 40 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 52.8% larger total L3 cache (28 MB vs 18 MB).

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

Core i5-12500E is the better buy right now. Core i5-12500E comes in $2,517 cheaper on MSRP at $225 MSRP versus $2,742 MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon Gold 6138T is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 39.2% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 1122.0% better value on MSRP (90.7 vs 7.4 PassMark/$), 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 i5-12500E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2017) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA3647. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12500E vs Xeon Gold 6138T 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.

Xeon Gold 6138T

The Xeon Gold 6138T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 25 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 20 cores and 40 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 27.5 MB. L2 cache: 20 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 20,356 points. Launch price was $2,742.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12500E packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6138T offers 20 cores / 40 threads — the Xeon Gold 6138T has 14 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i5-12500E versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6138T — a 19.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-12500E (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i5-12500E uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6138T uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12500E scores 20,411 against the Xeon Gold 6138T's 20,356 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-12500E. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,168 vs 1,030, a 71.2% lead for the Core i5-12500E that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 8,615 vs 11,988 (32.7% advantage for the Xeon Gold 6138T). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12500E vs 27.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 6138T.

Feature	Core i5-12500E	Xeon Gold 6138T
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	20 / 40+233%
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+22%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+45%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	27.5 MB+53%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	20 MB+1500%
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	20,411	20,356
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,528	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,168+110%	1,030
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,615	11,988+39%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12500E uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon Gold 6138T uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i5-12500E versus DDR4-2666 on the Xeon Gold 6138T — the Core i5-12500E supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6138T supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-12500E) vs 6 (Xeon Gold 6138T). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12500E) vs 48 (Xeon Gold 6138T) — the Xeon Gold 6138T offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: 600-series,W680 (Core i5-12500E) and C620 (Xeon Gold 6138T).

Feature	Core i5-12500E	Xeon Gold 6138T
Socket	LGA1700	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+80%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	768 GB+500%
RAM Channels	2	6+200%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	48+140%

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Advanced Features

Only the Xeon Gold 6138T supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-12500E) vs Yes (Xeon Gold 6138T). The Core i5-12500E includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Xeon Gold 6138T requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12500E targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i5-12500E rivals EPYC 7413.

Feature	Core i5-12500E	Xeon Gold 6138T
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 770	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	Yes
Target Use	Workstation	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12500E was priced at $225, while the Xeon Gold 6138T came in at $2742. On launch pricing ($225 vs $2742), Core i5-12500E was $2517 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12500E delivers 90.7 pts/$ vs 7.4 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6138T — making the Core i5-12500E the 169.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12500E	Xeon Gold 6138T
MSRP	$225-92%	$2742
Performance per Dollar	90.7+1126%	7.4
Release Date	2022	2017

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