Core Ultra 9 288V vs Core i5-12500E
Core Ultra 9 288V
Core i5-12500E
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 9 288V
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-12500E
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core Ultra 9 288V | Core i5-12500E |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($600) | ✅ More affordable ($200) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Lunar Lake (2024) / 3 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / 10 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core Ultra 9 288V | Core i5-12500E |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+202%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($600) | ✅ More affordable ($200) |
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 9 288V and Core i5-12500E
Core Ultra 9 288V
The Core Ultra 9 288V is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 September 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2.5 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2833. Thermal design power (TDP): 30 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 20,280 points. Launch price was $299.
Core i5-12500E
The Core i5-12500E 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 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 20,411 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The Core Ultra 9 288V packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-12500E offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core Ultra 9 288V has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core Ultra 9 288V versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i5-12500E — a 12.5% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 9 288V (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core Ultra 9 288V uses the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture (3 nm), while the Core i5-12500E uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 9 288V scores 20,280 against the Core i5-12500E's 20,411 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-12500E. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 9,300 vs 12,528 (29.6% advantage for the Core i5-12500E). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,800 vs 2,168, a 25.4% lead for the Core Ultra 9 288V that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 10,000 vs 8,615 (14.9% advantage for the Core Ultra 9 288V). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 9 288V vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12500E.
| Feature | Core Ultra 9 288V | Core i5-12500E |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 8+33% | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 5.1 GHz+13% | 4.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.3 GHz+14% | 2.9 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total) | 18 MB (total)+50% |
| L2 Cache | 2.5 MB (per core)+100% | 1.25 MB (per core) |
| Process | 3 nm-70% | 10 nm |
| Architecture | Lunar Lake (2024) | Alder Lake-S (2022) |
| PassMark | 20,280 | 20,411 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 9,300 | 12,528+35% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,800+29% | 2,168 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 10,000+16% | 8,615 |
Memory & Platform
The Core Ultra 9 288V uses the FCBGA2833 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-12500E uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to LPDDR5X-8533 memory speed. The Core i5-12500E supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (Core Ultra 9 288V) vs 20 (Core i5-12500E) — the Core i5-12500E offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SoC (Core Ultra 9 288V) and 600-series,W680 (Core i5-12500E).
| Feature | Core Ultra 9 288V | Core i5-12500E |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA2833 | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | LPDDR5X-8533 | DDR5-4800 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 128 GB+300% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 8 | 20+150% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: true (Core Ultra 9 288V) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-12500E). Both include integrated graphics — Intel Arc 140V (Core Ultra 9 288V) and UHD Graphics 770 (Core i5-12500E) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12500E targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i5-12500E rivals EPYC 7413.
| Feature | Core Ultra 9 288V | Core i5-12500E |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel Arc 140V | UHD Graphics 770 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Workstation |
Value Analysis
The Core Ultra 9 288V launched at $600 MSRP, while the Core i5-12500E debuted at $225. At current prices ($600 vs $200), the Core i5-12500E is $400 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core Ultra 9 288V delivers 33.8 pts/$ vs 102.1 pts/$ for the Core i5-12500E — making the Core i5-12500E the 100.5% better value option.
| Feature | Core Ultra 9 288V | Core i5-12500E |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $600 | $225-63% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $600 | $200-67% |
| Performance per Dollar | 33.8 | 102.1+202% |
| Release Date | 2024 | 2022 |
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