Core i5-12500H vs Core Ultra 9 288V

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 Ultra 9 288V 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 Ultra 9 288V: 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

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).
✅150% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 9 288V across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (9,900 vs 10,000).
❌50% higher power demand at 45W vs 30W.

Core Ultra 9 288V

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 30W instead of 45W, a 15W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $600 MSRP, while Core i5-12500H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 9 288V better than Core i5-12500H?

Yes. Core Ultra 9 288V is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1% better Geekbench multi-core, 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 Ultra 9 288V is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.5% 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 Ultra 9 288V is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core Ultra 9 288V is the better buy right now. Core Ultra 9 288V comes in at an unclear MSRP at $600 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (33.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 Ultra 9 288V makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2022) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 12/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12500H vs Core Ultra 9 288V 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 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.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12500H packs 12 cores / 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 9 288V offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-12500H has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i5-12500H versus 5.1 GHz on the Core Ultra 9 288V — a 12.5% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 9 288V (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i5-12500H uses the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 9 288V uses Lunar Lake (2024) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12500H scores 20,462 against the Core Ultra 9 288V's 20,280 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-12500H. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,260 vs 2,800, a 21.3% lead for the Core Ultra 9 288V that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 9,900 vs 10,000 (1% advantage for the Core Ultra 9 288V). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12500H vs 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 9 288V.

Feature	Core i5-12500H	Core Ultra 9 288V
Cores / Threads	12 / 16+50%	8 / 8
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	5.1 GHz+13%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.3 GHz+32%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)+50%	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2.5 MB (per core)+100%
Process	Intel 7 nm	3 nm-57%
Architecture	Alder Lake-H (2022)	Lunar Lake (2024)
PassMark	20,462	20,280
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,300
Geekbench 6 Single	2,260	2,800+24%
Geekbench 6 Multi	9,900	10,000+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12500H uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core Ultra 9 288V uses FCBGA2833 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i5-12500H versus LPDDR5X-8533 on the Core Ultra 9 288V — the Core Ultra 9 288V supports 77.8% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-12500H supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12500H) vs 8 (Core Ultra 9 288V) — the Core i5-12500H offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Adler Lake-H PCH (Core i5-12500H) and SoC (Core Ultra 9 288V).

Feature	Core i5-12500H	Core Ultra 9 288V
Socket	FCBGA1744	FCBGA2833
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	LPDDR5X-8533+78%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+150%	8

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-12500H) vs true (Core Ultra 9 288V). Both include integrated graphics — Intel Iris Xe Graphics 80EU (Core i5-12500H) 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 i5-12500H targets Performance Laptop.

Feature	Core i5-12500H	Core Ultra 9 288V
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel Iris Xe Graphics 80EU	Intel Arc 140V
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	true
Target Use	Performance Laptop	—