Core i5-12500TE vs Xeon E5-2680 v3
Core i5-12500TE
Xeon E5-2680 v3
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 i5-12500TE
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2680 v3
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-12500TE | Xeon E5-2680 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) | ✅ More affordable ($212) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / 10 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell-EP (2014−2015) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-12500TE | Xeon E5-2680 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+5%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) | ✅ More affordable ($212) |
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 i5-12500TE and Xeon E5-2680 v3
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.
Xeon E5-2680 v3
The Xeon E5-2680 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 14,864 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
The Core i5-12500TE packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2680 v3 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Xeon E5-2680 v3 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-12500TE versus 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2680 v3 — a 26.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-12500TE (base: 1.9 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-12500TE uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon E5-2680 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12500TE scores 15,008 against the Xeon E5-2680 v3's 14,864 — a 1% lead for the Core i5-12500TE. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12500TE vs 30 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2680 v3.
| Feature | Core i5-12500TE | Xeon E5-2680 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 12 / 24+100% |
| Boost Clock | 4.3 GHz+30% | 3.3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 1.9 GHz | 2.5 GHz+32% |
| L3 Cache | 18 MB (total) | 30 MB (total)+67% |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core)+400% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 10 nm-55% | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-S (2022) | Haswell-EP (2014−2015) |
| PassMark | 15,008 | 14,864 |
| 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 Xeon E5-2680 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i5-12500TE versus DDR4-2133 on the Xeon E5-2680 v3 — the Core i5-12500TE supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-2680 v3 supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 142.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-12500TE) vs 4 (Xeon E5-2680 v3). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12500TE) vs 40 (Xeon E5-2680 v3) — the Xeon E5-2680 v3 offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core i5-12500TE | Xeon E5-2680 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | LGA2011 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+67% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800+25% | DDR4-2133 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 768 GB+500% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 4+100% |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 40+100% |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Xeon E5-2680 v3 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i5-12500TE includes integrated graphics (UHD 770), while the Xeon E5-2680 v3 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12500TE targets Budget, Xeon E5-2680 v3 targets Server. Direct competitor: Core i5-12500TE rivals Core i5-12400T.
| Feature | Core i5-12500TE | Xeon E5-2680 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | UHD 770 | — |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Budget | Server |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-12500TE launched at $225 MSRP, while the Xeon E5-2680 v3 debuted at $1745. At current prices ($225 vs $212), the Xeon E5-2680 v3 is $13 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12500TE delivers 66.7 pts/$ vs 70.1 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2680 v3 — making the Xeon E5-2680 v3 the 5% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-12500TE | Xeon E5-2680 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $225-87% | $1745 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $225 | $212-6% |
| Performance per Dollar | 66.7 | 70.1+5% |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2014 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Core i5-12500TE and Xeon E5-2680 v3
