Core i9-12900TE vs Ryzen 5 240

Intel

Core i9-12900TE

16 Cores24 Thrd35 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2022
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 240

6 Cores12 Thrd45 WWMax: 5 GHz2025
Similar parts
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Core i9-12900TE vs Ryzen 5 240 Performance Spectrum

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.

Core i9-12900TE vs Ryzen 5 240 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 i9-12900TE vs Ryzen 5 240: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-12900TE

2022

Why buy it

  • +87.5% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 16 MB).
  • Draws 35W instead of 45W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (22,887 vs 23,167).
  • Launch MSRP is still $494 MSRP, while Ryzen 5 240 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Ryzen 5 240

2025

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 30 MB).
    • 28.6% higher power demand at 45W vs 35W.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Ryzen 5 240 better than Core i9-12900TE?
    Yes. Ryzen 5 240 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.2% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
    Which one is better for gaming?
    If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 5 240 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.9% 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, Ryzen 5 240 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Ryzen 5 240 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i9-12900TE is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen 5 240 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $494 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i9-12900TE is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (46.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    Ryzen 5 240 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 16/24. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

    Core i9-12900TE vs Ryzen 5 240 Technical Specifications

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

    Intel

    Core i9-12900TE

    The Core i9-12900TE 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 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 22,887 points. Launch price was $299.

    AMD

    Ryzen 5 240

    The Ryzen 5 240 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Hawk Point (2024−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 4.3 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 23,167 points. Launch price was $299.

    Processing Power

    The Core i9-12900TE packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Ryzen 5 240 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-12900TE has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i9-12900TE versus 5 GHz on the Ryzen 5 240 — a 4.1% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 240 (base: 1.1 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The Core i9-12900TE uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (10 nm), while the Ryzen 5 240 uses Hawk Point (2024−2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-12900TE scores 22,887 against the Ryzen 5 240's 23,167 — a 1.2% lead for the Ryzen 5 240. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900TE vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 240.

    FeatureCore i9-12900TERyzen 5 240
    Cores / Threads
    16 / 24+167%
    6 / 12
    Boost Clock
    4.8 GHz
    5 GHz+4%
    Base Clock
    1.1 GHz
    4.3 GHz+291%
    L3 Cache
    30 MB (total)+88%
    16 MB (total)
    L2 Cache
    1.25 MB (per core)+25%
    1 MB (per core)
    Process
    10 nm
    4 nm-60%
    Architecture
    Alder Lake-S (2022)
    Hawk Point (2024−2025)
    PassMark
    22,887
    23,167+1%
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Core i9-12900TE uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 240 uses FP8 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    FeatureCore i9-12900TERyzen 5 240
    Socket
    LGA1700
    FP8
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 5.0+25%
    PCIe 4.0
    💰

    Value Analysis

    At launch, the Core i9-12900TE was priced at $494, while the Ryzen 5 240 came in at $0. On launch pricing ($494 vs $0), Ryzen 5 240 was $494 cheaper.

    FeatureCore i9-12900TERyzen 5 240
    MSRP
    $494
    $0-100%
    Performance per Dollar
    46.3
    Release Date
    2022
    2025

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