£183.66
(updated at 2025-01-18 06:34:00)
Score: 109 point per £


Product features

  • Intel® Core® i5 3 GHz processor offers hyper-threading architecture that delivers high performance for demanding applications with improved onboard graphics and turbo boost
  • The Socket LGA-1700 socket allows processor to be placed on the PCB without soldering
  • 18 MB of L3 cache rapidly retrieves the most used data available to improve system performance
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Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) i5-12500 3 GHz Processor - Retail Pack

Overview

The Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) i5-12500 is a high-end mobile CPU designed for laptops, part of the Alder Lake architecture. It features 4 performance cores (P-cores) and 8 efficient cores (E-cores), supporting up to 16 threads. This configuration allows for efficient handling of both demanding tasks and everyday operations.

Performance

Single-Core Performance: The i5-12500 boasts a base clock speed of 2.5 GHz and a turbo boost frequency of up to 4.5 GHz, making it suitable for single-threaded applications and benchmarks. It outperforms many mid-range CPUs in terms of raw processing power.

Multi-Core Performance: With 12 cores in total, the i5-12500 excels in multi-threaded tasks. Its performance is comparable to high-end CPUs like the Ryzen 9 6900HS and Core i7-12650H, making it an excellent choice for content creation, video editing, and other resource-intensive activities.

Integrated Graphics

The i5-12500 integrates Iris Xe Graphics with 80 Execution Units (EUs), operating at up to 1.3 GHz. While not as powerful as dedicated GPUs, the integrated graphics are sufficient for casual gaming and 3D-intensive tasks, providing a balanced performance for multimedia applications.

Power Efficiency

The CPU is manufactured on Intel's 10nm process, marketed as Intel 7, which offers decent energy efficiency. It has a minimum assured power consumption of 35 W, a base power consumption of 45 W, and a maximum Intel-recommended Turbo power consumption of 95 W. This configuration requires a high-performance cooling solution to maintain optimal performance.

Memory Support

The i5-12500 supports various memory types, including DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200, LPDDR5-5200, and LPDDR4x-4267. It can handle up to 64 GB of RAM, with a maximum memory channel support of 2 channels. ECC support is not available.

Pros

  • Balanced Performance: Offers excellent performance in both single-threaded and multi-threaded applications.
  • Efficient Cores: The combination of P-cores and E-cores provides efficient handling of various tasks.
  • Integrated Graphics: Sufficient for casual gaming and multimedia tasks.
  • Power Efficiency: Decent energy efficiency with configurable TDP.
  • Memory Support: Supports a wide range of memory types.

Cons

  • Cooling Requirements: Requires a high-performance cooling solution to maintain optimal performance.
  • Price: As a high-end CPU, it comes with a higher price tag.
  • Integrated Graphics Limitations: Not suitable for demanding gaming or graphics-intensive applications.

Verdict

The Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) i5-12500 is an excellent choice for users requiring a balanced performance in both everyday tasks and demanding applications. Its efficient core configuration, integrated graphics, and decent power efficiency make it a versatile option for laptops. However, it requires a robust cooling system and comes with a higher price compared to mid-range CPUs.

Features Table

Feature Description
Cores/Threads 4 P-cores + 8 E-cores, 16 threads
Base Clock Speed 2.5 GHz
Turbo Boost Frequency Up to 4.5 GHz
Integrated Graphics Iris Xe Graphics (80 EUs), up to 1.3 GHz
Memory Support DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200, LPDDR5-5200, LPDDR4x-4267
Max. Memory Size Up to 64 GB
Max. Memory Channels 2 channels
ECC Support No
Fabrication Process 10 nm (Intel 7)
TDP (PL1) 35-45 W (configurable)
Max. Boost TDP (PL2) 95 W
Socket BGA-1744
Peak Temperature 100°C
PCIe Version 4.0
PCIe Lanes 28
L1 Cache 1.1 MB per core
L2 Cache 10 MB per core
L3 Cache 18 MB shared
Unlocked Multiplier No
Power Consumption Minimum assured: 35 W, Base: 45 W, Max Turbo: 95 W
Release Date Early 2022