Core i9-9900 vs Core i5-12500T
Core i9-9900
Core i5-12500T
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 i9-9900
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-12500T
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i9-9900 | Core i5-12500T |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($330) | ✅ More affordable ($214) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i9-9900 | Core i5-12500T |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+55%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($330) | ✅ More affordable ($214) |
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 i9-9900 and Core i5-12500T
Core i9-9900
The Core i9-9900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 16,238 points. Launch price was $439.
Core i5-12500T
The Core i5-12500T 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 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 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: 16,339 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The Core i9-9900 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i5-12500T offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-9900 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-9900 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12500T — a 12.8% clock advantage for the Core i9-9900 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i9-9900 uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-12500T uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9900 scores 16,238 against the Core i5-12500T's 16,339 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-12500T. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 7,619 vs 6,625 (14% advantage for the Core i9-9900). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,637 vs 2,300, a 33.7% lead for the Core i5-12500T that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 7,619 vs 8,900 (15.5% advantage for the Core i5-12500T). L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900 vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12500T.
| Feature | Core i9-9900 | Core i5-12500T |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 16+33% | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 5 GHz+14% | 4.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.1 GHz+55% | 2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 16 MB (total) | 18 MB (total)+13% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core)+400% |
| Process | 14 nm | Intel 7 nm-50% |
| Architecture | Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) | Alder Lake-S (2022) |
| PassMark | 16,238 | 16,339 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 7,619+15% | 6,625 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,637 | 2,300+41% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 7,619 | 8,900+17% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i9-9900 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-12500T uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i9-9900 versus DDR5-4800 on the Core i5-12500T — the Core i5-12500T 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 i9-9900) vs 20 (Core i5-12500T) — the Core i5-12500T offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z390,B365 (Core i9-9900) and B660,H610 (Core i5-12500T).
| Feature | Core i9-9900 | Core i5-12500T |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 5.0+67% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666 | DDR5-4800+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. Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i9-9900) and Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i5-12500T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12500T targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12500T rivals Ryzen 5 5600GE.
| Feature | Core i9-9900 | Core i5-12500T |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 630 | Intel UHD Graphics 770 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Low Power Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Core i9-9900 launched at $423 MSRP, while the Core i5-12500T debuted at $302. At current prices ($330 vs $214), the Core i5-12500T is $116 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-9900 delivers 49.2 pts/$ vs 76.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-12500T — making the Core i5-12500T the 43.2% better value option.
| Feature | Core i9-9900 | Core i5-12500T |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $423 | $302-29% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $330 | $214-35% |
| Performance per Dollar | 49.2 | 76.4+55% |
| Release Date | 2019 | 2022 |
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