Core i5-12500TE vs Ryzen 7 3700X

Intel

Core i5-12500TE

6 Cores12 Thrd35 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2022
Core family
·······
VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019
Ryzen family
·······

Core i5-12500TE vs Ryzen 7 3700X Performance Spectrum

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.

Core i5-12500TE vs Ryzen 7 3700X 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 i5-12500TE vs Ryzen 7 3700X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-12500TE

2022

Why buy it

  • Costs $104 less on MSRP ($225 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
  • Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
  • Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD 770, while Ryzen 7 3700X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 3700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (15,008 vs 22,430).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 32 MB).

Ryzen 7 3700X

2019

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +39.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +77.8% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 18 MB).
  • 20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • 46.2% HIGHER MSRP
    $329 MSRPvs$225 MSRP
  • 85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
  • Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i5-12500TE moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i5-12500TE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 3700X better than Core i5-12500TE?
Yes. Ryzen 7 3700X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 39.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 49.5% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 7 3700X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 39.2% 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, Ryzen 7 3700X is the stronger fit. You are getting 49.5% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 77.8% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 18 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 3700X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 3700X comes in 46.2% more expensive on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you a 39.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 2.2% better value on MSRP (68.2 vs 66.7 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1700 + DDR5 setup, Core i5-12500TE 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 i5-12500TE 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 AM4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12500TE vs Ryzen 7 3700X Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-12500TE

The Core i5-12500TE 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 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 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: 15,008 points. Launch price was $299.

AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

The Ryzen 7 3700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 22,430 points. Launch price was $329.

Processing Power

The Core i5-12500TE packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 7 3700X has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-12500TE versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — a 2.3% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 3700X (base: 1.9 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-12500TE uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (10 nm), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12500TE scores 15,008 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 39.6% lead for the Ryzen 7 3700X. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12500TE vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.

FeatureCore i5-12500TERyzen 7 3700X
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz
4.4 GHz+2%
Base Clock
1.9 GHz
3.6 GHz+89%
L3 Cache
18 MB (total)
32 MB+78%
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
512K (per core)+40860%
Process
10 nm
7 nm, 12 nm-30%
Architecture
Alder Lake-S (2022)
Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark
15,008
22,430+49%
Cinebench R23 Multi
659
Geekbench 6 Single
1,962
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,898
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12500TE uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i5-12500TE versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 3700X — the Core i5-12500TE supports 50% 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 i5-12500TE) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 3700X) — the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12500TE) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 7 3700X).

FeatureCore i5-12500TERyzen 7 3700X
Socket
LGA1700
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800+50%
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
24+20%
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-12500TE) / not specified (Ryzen 7 3700X). The Core i5-12500TE includes integrated graphics (UHD 770), while the Ryzen 7 3700X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12500TE targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-12500TE rivals Core i5-12400T.

FeatureCore i5-12500TERyzen 7 3700X
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
UHD 770
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Budget
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12500TE was priced at $225, while the Ryzen 7 3700X came in at $329. On launch pricing ($225 vs $329), Core i5-12500TE was $104 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12500TE delivers 66.7 pts/$ vs 68.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X — making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 2.2% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-12500TERyzen 7 3700X
MSRP
$225-32%
$329
Performance per Dollar
66.7
68.2+2%
Release Date
2022
2019

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.