Core i5-12500T vs Core 5 120U
Core i5-12500T
Core 5 120U
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 i5-12500T
Performance Per Dollar Core 5 120U
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-12500T | Core 5 120U |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($214) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Raptor Lake-U Refresh (2024) / 10 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-12500T | Core 5 120U |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($214) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 i5-12500T and Core 5 120U
Core i5-12500T
The Core i5-12500T 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 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 16,339 points. Launch price was $299.
Core 5 120U
The Core 5 120U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-U Refresh (2024) architecture. It features 10 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4X-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 16,225 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The Core i5-12500T packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core 5 120U offers 10 cores / 12 threads — the Core 5 120U has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12500T versus 5 GHz on the Core 5 120U — a 12.8% clock advantage for the Core 5 120U (base: 2 GHz vs 1.4 GHz). The Core i5-12500T uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core 5 120U uses Raptor Lake-U Refresh (2024) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12500T scores 16,339 against the Core 5 120U's 16,225 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i5-12500T. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12500T vs 12 MB (total) on the Core 5 120U.
| Feature | Core i5-12500T | Core 5 120U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 10 / 12+67% |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz | 5 GHz+14% |
| Base Clock | 2 GHz+43% | 1.4 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 18 MB (total)+50% | 12 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |
| Process | Intel 7 nm-30% | 10 nm |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-S (2022) | Raptor Lake-U Refresh (2024) |
| PassMark | 16,339 | 16,225 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 6,625 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,300 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 8,900 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-12500T uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core 5 120U uses FCBGA1744 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-12500T | Core 5 120U |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | FCBGA1744 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ✅ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-12500T) / not specified (Core 5 120U). The Core i5-12500T includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Core 5 120U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12500T targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12500T rivals Ryzen 5 5600GE.
| Feature | Core i5-12500T | Core 5 120U |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel UHD Graphics 770 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | Low Power Desktop | — |
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