Core i5-12500

Name: Intel Core i5-12500
Brand: Intel
Rating: 4 (106 reviews)

6 cores · 12 threads · up to 4.6 GHz on FCLGA1700.

4 · 106 votes

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Cores

Threads

Boost

4.6 GHz

L3 cache

18 MB

TDP

65W

Socket

FCLGA1700

Performance breakdown

Gaming12

Productivity11

Single-core12

Multi-core25

Power efficiency10

Lab scores

Performance score12

Cores6

Threads12

Boost clock (GHz)4.6 GHz

Estimated gaming FPS

Paired with a high-end GPU. CPU impact is largest at 1080p.

1080p26 fps

1440p21 fps

4K14 fps

Full specifications

Processor & cores

Architecture: Alder Lake-S
Process node: Intel 7 nm
Socket: FCLGA1700
Release year: 2022
Total cores: 6
Threads: 12
Integrated graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 770

Clocks & cache

Base clock: 3.0 GHz
Boost clock: 4.6 GHz
L1 cache: 480 KB
L2 cache: 7.5 MB
L3 cache: 18 MB

Memory & platform

Memory support: DDR5-4800
Max capacity: 128 GB
Channels: 2
Max bandwidth: 76.8 GB/s
Base power (TDP): 65W
Max temperature: 100°C
PCIe: PCIe 5.0 and 4.0

Technologies

Instruction sets: SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2
Extensions: AES-NI, AVX, VT-x, VT-d, TXT, TSX

Community Feedback

What Owners Say

Owners like the solid everyday performance and how it runs cool on a budget cooler. The usual complaint is that it lacks the efficiency cores found on pricier models.

Pros

Sips power, stays whisper quiet
Great for everyday multitasking
Runs cool, stock cooler works
Incredible value for office builds

Cons

No upgrade path on this socket
Needs new motherboard for LGA1700
Integrated graphics only handles basic tasks

Verdict

Our verdict on the Core i5-12500

A solid, mid-range Alder Lake chip that prioritizes efficiency and consistent performance over raw core count or flashy features.

Get it if you need a solid, efficient mid-range chip for work or gaming without fuss. Skip it if you want maximum performance for heavy tasks or plan to overclock.