Core i5-12600 vs Xeon E5-2673 v4

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 i5-12600 vs Xeon E5-2673 v4 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 i5-12600 vs Xeon E5-2673 v4: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-12600

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 65W instead of 135W, a 70W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FP7/FP8 with DDR5 support instead of FCLGA2011-3 and DDR4.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Xeon E5-2673 v4 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 50 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2673 v4, which brings 20 cores / 40 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $233 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2673 v4 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-2673 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+177.8% larger total L3 cache (50 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 20 cores / 40 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (21,277 vs 21,383).
❌107.7% higher power demand at 135W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on FCLGA2011-3 with DDR4, while Core i5-12600 moves to FP7/FP8 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-12600 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12600 better than Xeon E5-2673 v4?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2673 v4 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-12600 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-12600 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 13.9% 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 i5-12600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-12600 is the better buy right now. Core i5-12600 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $233 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 13.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (91.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-12600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2016), a healthier platform with FP7/FP8 and DDR5 instead of FCLGA2011-3, and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 20/40. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12600 vs Xeon E5-2673 v4 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-12600

The Core i5-12600 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 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FP7/FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR5x, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 21,383 points. Launch price was $299.

Xeon E5-2673 v4

The Xeon E5-2673 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 20 cores and 40 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 50 MB. L2 cache: 5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCLGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 21,277 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12600 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2673 v4 offers 20 cores / 40 threads — the Xeon E5-2673 v4 has 14 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i5-12600 versus 2.3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2673 v4 — a 70.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-12600 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-12600 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon E5-2673 v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12600 scores 21,383 against the Xeon E5-2673 v4's 21,277 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-12600. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12600 vs 50 MB on the Xeon E5-2673 v4.

Feature	Core i5-12600	Xeon E5-2673 v4
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	20 / 40+233%
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz+109%	2.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+43%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	50 MB+178%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	5 MB+300%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	21,383	21,277
Geekbench 6 Single	2,400	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	10,400	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12600 uses the FP7/FP8 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E5-2673 v4 uses FCLGA2011-3 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-12600	Xeon E5-2673 v4
Socket	FP7/FP8	FCLGA2011-3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-12600) / not specified (Xeon E5-2673 v4). The Core i5-12600 includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Xeon E5-2673 v4 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12600 targets Mainstream Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12600 rivals Ryzen 5 5600.