Core i5-1250P vs Xeon W-1290E

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 Xeon W-1290E 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 Xeon W-1290E: 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

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 28W instead of 95W, a 67W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics (80 EU), while Xeon W-1290E needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-1290E across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon W-1290E, which brings 10 cores / 20 threads.

Xeon W-1290E

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 10 cores / 20 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (19,060 vs 19,167).
❌239.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 28W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i5-1250P moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-1250P can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-1250P better than Xeon W-1290E?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W-1290E makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-1250P is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-1250P is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i5-1250P still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-1250P comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark.

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), a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 16 threads instead of 10/20, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-1250P vs Xeon W-1290E 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.

Xeon W-1290E

The Xeon W-1290E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 13 May 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,060 points. Launch price was $552.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-1250P packs 12 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon W-1290E 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 4.8 GHz on the Xeon W-1290E — a 8.7% clock advantage for the Xeon W-1290E (base: 1.7 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i5-1250P uses the Alder Lake-P (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon W-1290E uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-1250P scores 19,167 against the Xeon W-1290E's 19,060 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-1250P. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-1250P vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon W-1290E.

Feature	Core i5-1250P	Xeon W-1290E
Cores / Threads	12 / 16+20%	10 / 20
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.8 GHz+9%
Base Clock	1.7 GHz	3.5 GHz+106%
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	19,060
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 Xeon W-1290E uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-1250P	Xeon W-1290E
Socket	FCBGA1744	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-1250P) / not specified (Xeon W-1290E). The Core i5-1250P includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics (80 EU)), while the Xeon W-1290E requires a dedicated GPU.