Core i5-12500H vs Core i9-13900TE

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 i5-12500H vs Core i9-13900TE 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 i5-12500H vs Core i9-13900TE: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-12500H

2022

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900TE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (20,462 vs 20,602).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 36 MB).
❌28.6% higher power demand at 45W vs 35W.

Core i9-13900TE

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +17.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 45W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $554 MSRP, while Core i5-12500H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-13900TE better than Core i5-12500H?

Yes. Core i9-13900TE is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 17.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.7% better 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 i9-13900TE is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 17.2% 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 i9-13900TE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 32 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 18 MB).

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

Core i9-13900TE is the better buy right now. Core i9-13900TE comes in at an unclear MSRP at $554 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 17.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (37.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i9-13900TE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022), 100% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 18 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 32 threads instead of 12/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-12500H vs Core i9-13900TE Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i9-13900TE

The Core i9-13900TE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 24 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 1 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 20,602 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12500H packs 12 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i9-13900TE offers 24 cores / 32 threads — the Core i9-13900TE has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i5-12500H versus 5 GHz on the Core i9-13900TE — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Core i9-13900TE (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1 GHz). The Core i5-12500H uses the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-13900TE uses Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12500H scores 20,462 against the Core i9-13900TE's 20,602 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i9-13900TE. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12500H vs 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-13900TE.

Feature	Core i5-12500H	Core i9-13900TE
Cores / Threads	12 / 16	24 / 32+100%
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	5 GHz+11%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+150%	1 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	36 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+60%
Process	Intel 7 nm-30%	10 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-H (2022)	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
PassMark	20,462	20,602
Geekbench 6 Single	2,260	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	9,900	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12500H uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i9-13900TE uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i5-12500H versus DDR5-5600 on the Core i9-13900TE — the Core i9-13900TE supports 16.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-13900TE 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: Adler Lake-H PCH (Core i5-12500H) and LGA1700 (Core i9-13900TE).

Feature	Core i5-12500H	Core i9-13900TE
Socket	FCBGA1744	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	DDR5-5600+17%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i9-13900TE supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Intel Iris Xe Graphics 80EU (Core i5-12500H) and UHD Graphics 770 (Core i9-13900TE) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12500H targets Performance Laptop.

Feature	Core i5-12500H	Core i9-13900TE
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel Iris Xe Graphics 80EU	UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Performance Laptop	—