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 i5-12500T vs Core i9-9900 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 i5-12500T vs Core i9-9900: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-12500T

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $121 less on MSRP ($302 MSRP vs $423 MSRP).
✅Delivers 40.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 54.1 vs 38.4 PassMark/$ ($302 MSRP vs $423 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9900 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (6,625 vs 7,619).

Core i9-9900

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +17.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 38.4 vs 54.1 PassMark/$ ($423 MSRP vs $302 MSRP).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Core i5-12500T moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-9900 better than Core i5-12500T?

Yes. Core i9-9900 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 17.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 15% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-9900 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 17.1% 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 i9-9900 is the stronger fit. You are getting 15% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i9-9900 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12500T is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-9900 comes in 40.1% more expensive on MSRP at $423 MSRP versus $302 MSRP, and it still gives you a 17.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12500T is also 40.9% better value on MSRP (54.1 vs 38.4 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1700 + DDR5 setup, Core i5-12500T can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-12500T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2019) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12500T vs Core i9-9900 Technical Specifications

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

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 i9-9900

The Core i9-9900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 16,238 points. Launch price was $439.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12500T packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i9-9900 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i9-9900 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12500T versus 5 GHz on the Core i9-9900 — a 12.8% clock advantage for the Core i9-9900 (base: 2 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i5-12500T uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-9900 uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12500T scores 16,339 against the Core i9-9900's 16,238 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-12500T. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 6,625 vs 7,619 (14% advantage for the Core i9-9900). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,300 vs 1,637, a 33.7% lead for the Core i5-12500T that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 8,900 vs 7,619 (15.5% advantage for the Core i5-12500T). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12500T vs 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900.

Feature	Core i5-12500T	Core i9-9900
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	5 GHz+14%
Base Clock	2 GHz	3.1 GHz+55%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)+13%	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
PassMark	16,339	16,238
Cinebench R23 Multi	6,625	7,619+15%
Geekbench 6 Single	2,300+41%	1,637
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,900+17%	7,619

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12500T uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-9900 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i5-12500T versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i9-9900 — the Core i5-12500T supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12500T) vs 16 (Core i9-9900) — the Core i5-12500T offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: B660,H610 (Core i5-12500T) and Z390,B365 (Core i9-9900).

Feature	Core i5-12500T	Core i9-9900
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+80%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i5-12500T) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i9-9900) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without 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 i9-9900
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Low Power Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12500T was priced at $302, while the Core i9-9900 came in at $423. On launch pricing ($302 vs $423), Core i5-12500T was $121 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12500T delivers 54.1 pts/$ vs 38.4 pts/$ for the Core i9-9900 — making the Core i5-12500T the 34% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12500T	Core i9-9900
MSRP	$302-29%	$423
Performance per Dollar	54.1+41%	38.4
Release Date	2022	2019

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