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 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 i5-12500H 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 i5-12500H

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 125W, a 80W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of LGA3647 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while Xeon Gold 6138T needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (9,900 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

✅+21.1% 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 i5-12500H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $2,742 MSRP, while Core i5-12500H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌177.8% higher power demand at 125W vs 45W.
❌Older platform position on LGA3647 with DDR4, while Core i5-12500H moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-12500H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12500H 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 i5-12500H 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 21.1% 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 i5-12500H is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon Gold 6138T is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-12500H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $2,742 MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon Gold 6138T is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 21.1% better Geekbench multi-core. Xeon Gold 6138T is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2017) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of LGA3647. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12500H vs Xeon Gold 6138T 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.

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 i5-12500H packs 12 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6138T offers 20 cores / 40 threads — the Xeon Gold 6138T has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i5-12500H versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6138T — a 19.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-12500H (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i5-12500H uses the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6138T uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12500H scores 20,462 against the Xeon Gold 6138T's 20,356 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-12500H. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,260 vs 1,030, a 74.8% lead for the Core i5-12500H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 9,900 vs 11,988 (19.1% advantage for the Xeon Gold 6138T). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12500H vs 27.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 6138T.

Feature	Core i5-12500H	Xeon Gold 6138T
Cores / Threads	12 / 16	20 / 40+67%
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+22%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+25%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	27.5 MB+53%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	20 MB+1500%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-H (2022)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	20,462	20,356
Geekbench 6 Single	2,260+119%	1,030
Geekbench 6 Multi	9,900	11,988+21%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12500H uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 4.0), 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 i5-12500H versus DDR4-2666 on the Xeon Gold 6138T — the Core i5-12500H 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 64 GB — 1100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-12500H) vs 6 (Xeon Gold 6138T). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12500H) vs 48 (Xeon Gold 6138T) — the Xeon Gold 6138T offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Adler Lake-H PCH (Core i5-12500H) and C620 (Xeon Gold 6138T).

Feature	Core i5-12500H	Xeon Gold 6138T
Socket	FCBGA1744	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+80%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	768 GB+1100%
RAM Channels	2	6+200%
ECC Support	No	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 i5-12500H) vs Yes (Xeon Gold 6138T). The Core i5-12500H includes integrated graphics (Intel Iris Xe Graphics 80EU), while the Xeon Gold 6138T requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12500H targets Performance Laptop.