Core i9-10900F vs Core i5-12500
Core i9-10900F
Core i5-12500
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 i9-10900F
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-12500
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i9-10900F | Core i5-12500 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($300) | ✅ More affordable ($140) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Comet Lake (2020−2025) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i9-10900F | Core i5-12500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+114%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($300) | ✅ More affordable ($140) |
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 i9-10900F and Core i5-12500
Core i9-10900F
The Core i9-10900F 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 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 19,800 points. Launch price was $299.
Core i5-12500
The Core i5-12500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 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 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): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 19,739 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The Core i9-10900F packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i5-12500 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-10900F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-10900F versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-12500 — a 10.3% clock advantage for the Core i9-10900F (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i9-10900F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-12500 uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-10900F scores 19,800 against the Core i5-12500's 19,739 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i9-10900F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 13,500 vs 12,978 (3.9% advantage for the Core i9-10900F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,701 vs 2,319, a 30.7% lead for the Core i5-12500 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 8,456 vs 9,003 (6.3% advantage for the Core i5-12500). L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i9-10900F vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12500.
| Feature | Core i9-10900F | Core i5-12500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 10 / 20+67% | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 5.1 GHz+11% | 4.6 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz | 3 GHz+7% |
| L3 Cache | 20 MB (total)+11% | 18 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core)+400% |
| Process | 14 nm | Intel 7 nm-50% |
| Architecture | Comet Lake (2020−2025) | Alder Lake-S (2022) |
| PassMark | 19,800 | 19,739 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 13,500+4% | 12,978 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,701 | 2,319+36% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 8,456 | 9,003+6% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i9-10900F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i5-12500 uses LGA1700 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2933 on the Core i9-10900F versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12500 — the Core i5-12500 supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i9-10900F) vs 20 (Core i5-12500) — the Core i5-12500 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: B460,H470,Z490,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i9-10900F) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12500).
| Feature | Core i9-10900F | Core i5-12500 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1200 | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2933 | DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+25% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 20+25% |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i5-12500 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Core i9-10900F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-10900F targets Gaming, Core i5-12500 targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i9-10900F rivals Ryzen 7 3800X; Core i5-12500 rivals Ryzen 5 5500.
| Feature | Core i9-10900F | Core i5-12500 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | UHD Graphics 770 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Gaming | Productivity |
Value Analysis
The Core i9-10900F launched at $464 MSRP, while the Core i5-12500 debuted at $212. At current prices ($300 vs $140), the Core i5-12500 is $160 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-10900F delivers 66.0 pts/$ vs 141.0 pts/$ for the Core i5-12500 — making the Core i5-12500 the 72.5% better value option.
| Feature | Core i9-10900F | Core i5-12500 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $464 | $212-54% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $300 | $140-53% |
| Performance per Dollar | 66.0 | 141.0+114% |
| Release Date | 2020 | 2022 |
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