M2 vs Core i5-12500TE
M2
Core i5-12500TE
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 M2
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-12500TE
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | M2 | Core i5-12500TE |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 5 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / 10 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | M2 | Core i5-12500TE |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) |
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 M2 and Core i5-12500TE
M2
The M2 is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 10 June 2022 (3 years ago). It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.424 GHz, with boost up to 3.48 GHz. L2 cache: 20 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 20 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 14,933 points. Launch price was $149.
Core i5-12500TE
The Core i5-12500TE 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 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 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): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 15,008 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The M2 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-12500TE offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the M2 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.48 GHz on the M2 versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-12500TE — a 21.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-12500TE (base: 2.424 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Core i5-12500TE is built on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. In PassMark, the M2 scores 14,933 against the Core i5-12500TE's 15,008 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-12500TE.
| Feature | M2 | Core i5-12500TE |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 8+33% | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 3.48 GHz | 4.3 GHz+24% |
| Base Clock | 2.424 GHz+28% | 1.9 GHz |
| L3 Cache | — | 18 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 20 MB+1500% | 1.25 MB (per core) |
| Process | 5 nm-50% | 10 nm |
| Architecture | — | Alder Lake-S (2022) |
| PassMark | 14,933 | 15,008 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 659 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,962 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,898 |
Memory & Platform
The M2 uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i5-12500TE uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | M2 | Core i5-12500TE |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | none | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 5.0+25% |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR5-4800 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 20 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (M2) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-12500TE). The Core i5-12500TE includes integrated graphics (UHD 770), while the M2 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12500TE targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-12500TE rivals Core i5-12400T.
| Feature | M2 | Core i5-12500TE |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | UHD 770 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Budget |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on M2 and Core i5-12500TE
