Core Ultra 5 125U vs Core i5-12600T
Core Ultra 5 125U
Core i5-12600T
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 Ultra 5 125U
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-12600T
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core Ultra 5 125U | Core i5-12600T |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($223) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Meteor Lake-P (2023) / 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core Ultra 5 125U | Core i5-12600T |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($223) |
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 Ultra 5 125U and Core i5-12600T
Core Ultra 5 125U
The Core Ultra 5 125U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake-P (2023) architecture. It features 12 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 17,152 points. Launch price was $363.
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.
Processing Power
The Core Ultra 5 125U packs 12 cores / 14 threads, while the Core i5-12600T offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core Ultra 5 125U has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 125U versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-12600T — a 6.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-12600T (base: 1.3 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 125U uses the Meteor Lake-P (2023) architecture (7 nm), while the Core i5-12600T uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 125U scores 17,152 against the Core i5-12600T's 17,427 — a 1.6% lead for the Core i5-12600T. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 125U vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12600T.
| Feature | Core Ultra 5 125U | Core i5-12600T |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 12 / 14+100% | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 4.3 GHz | 4.6 GHz+7% |
| Base Clock | 1.3 GHz | 2.1 GHz+62% |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total) | 18 MB (total)+50% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core)+60% | 1.25 MB (per core) |
| Process | 7 nm | Intel 7 nm |
| Architecture | Meteor Lake-P (2023) | Alder Lake-S (2022) |
| PassMark | 17,152 | 17,427+2% |
Memory & Platform
The Core Ultra 5 125U uses the FCBGA2049 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-12600T uses LGA1700 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core Ultra 5 125U | Core i5-12600T |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA2049 | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+67% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR5-4800 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 20 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core Ultra 5 125U) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-12600T). The Core i5-12600T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Core Ultra 5 125U requires a dedicated GPU.
| Feature | Core Ultra 5 125U | Core i5-12600T |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | UHD Graphics 770 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | Yes |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Core Ultra 5 125U and Core i5-12600T
