Core i5-1250P vs Core i9-10900E

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 i5-1250P vs Core i9-10900E 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 i5-1250P vs Core i9-10900E: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-1250P

2022

Why buy it

✅Draws 28W instead of 65W, a 37W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (19,167 vs 19,332).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 20 MB).

Core i9-10900E

2020

Why buy it

✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $488 MSRP, while Core i5-1250P mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌132.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 28W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i5-1250P moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-10900E better than Core i5-1250P?

Yes. Core i9-10900E is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.9% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-10900E is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.9% 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 i9-10900E is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i9-10900E is the better buy right now. Core i9-10900E comes in at an unclear MSRP at $488 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (39.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-1250P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2020) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-1250P vs Core i9-10900E Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-1250P

The Core i5-1250P is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 February 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-P (2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 19,167 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i9-10900E

The Core i9-10900E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,332 points. Launch price was $488.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-1250P packs 12 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i9-10900E offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Core i5-1250P has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-1250P versus 4.7 GHz on the Core i9-10900E — a 6.6% clock advantage for the Core i9-10900E (base: 1.7 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i5-1250P uses the Alder Lake-P (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-10900E uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-1250P scores 19,167 against the Core i9-10900E's 19,332 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i9-10900E. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-1250P vs 20 MB (total) on the Core i9-10900E.

Feature	Core i5-1250P	Core i9-10900E
Cores / Threads	12 / 16+20%	10 / 20
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.7 GHz+7%
Base Clock	1.7 GHz	2.8 GHz+65%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	20 MB (total)+67%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+400%	256 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-P (2022)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	19,167	19,332
Cinebench R23 Multi	9,250	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,785	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,420	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-1250P uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i9-10900E uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i5-1250P versus DDR4-2933 on the Core i9-10900E — the Core i5-1250P supports 63.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-10900E supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-1250P) vs 16 (Core i9-10900E) — the Core i5-1250P offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: BGA1744 (Core i5-1250P) and LGA1200 (Core i9-10900E).

Feature	Core i5-1250P	Core i9-10900E
Socket	FCBGA1744	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+64%	DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i5-1250P supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Iris Xe Graphics (80 EU) (Core i5-1250P) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i9-10900E) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU.