Core i5-12600T vs Core Ultra 5 235U

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 i5-12600T vs Core Ultra 5 235U 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 i5-12600T vs Core Ultra 5 235U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-12600T

2022

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 770, while Core Ultra 5 235U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 235U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $223 MSRP, while Core Ultra 5 235U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌150% higher power demand at 35W vs 14W.

Core Ultra 5 235U

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 14W instead of 35W, a 21W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (17,397 vs 17,427).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 18 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-12600T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 235U better than Core i5-12600T?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core Ultra 5 235U is ahead with a 9.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12600T pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark. Core i5-12600T also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12600T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core Ultra 5 235U is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12600T is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core Ultra 5 235U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $223 MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-12600T is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.2% better PassMark. Core i5-12600T is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (78.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core Ultra 5 235U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12600T vs Core Ultra 5 235U Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-12600T

The Core i5-12600T 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 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 17,427 points. Launch price was $299.

Core Ultra 5 235U

The Core Ultra 5 235U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-U (2025) architecture. It features 12 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): 14 MB + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 17,397 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12600T packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 235U offers 12 cores / 14 threads — the Core Ultra 5 235U has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-12600T versus 4.9 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 235U — a 6.3% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 235U (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-12600T uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 235U uses Arrow Lake-U (2025) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12600T scores 17,427 against the Core Ultra 5 235U's 17,397 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-12600T. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12600T vs 12 MB on the Core Ultra 5 235U.

Feature	Core i5-12600T	Core Ultra 5 235U
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	12 / 14+100%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	4.9 GHz+7%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	2.4 GHz+14%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)+50%	12 MB
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	—
Process	Intel 7 nm	5 nm-29%
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Arrow Lake-U (2025)
PassMark	17,427	17,397

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12600T uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core Ultra 5 235U uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-12600T	Core Ultra 5 235U
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA2049
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-12600T) / not specified (Core Ultra 5 235U). The Core i5-12600T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Core Ultra 5 235U requires a dedicated GPU.