Intel Core i5-12500 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 226V Comparison

The Intel Core i5-12500 and Intel Core Ultra 5 226V represent two very different philosophies from the same manufacturer: one is a desktop-focused chip built for sustained multi-threaded workloads, while the other is a mobile part engineered for efficiency and specific single-threaded tasks. The benchmark data reveals a clear split, with the i5-12500 dominating in raw throughput and the Ultra 5 226V counter-punching in specialized areas.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking disparity appears in multi-core rendering tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-12500 scores 16,759 against the Ultra 5 226V’s 9,848, a massive 70.2% advantage. This is not a marginal lead; it is a generational gap in sustained compute. The gap narrows but remains decisive in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i5-12500 wins 7,038 to 6,381 (10.3% ahead), and in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where it leads 1,689 to 1,501 (12.5% ahead). The story repeats in Geekbench multi-core, with the i5-12500 scoring 9,374 versus 8,598, a 9% edge. PassMark integer math is another landslide: 61,626 for the i5-12500 versus 38,647, a 59.5% blowout that underscores the desktop chip’s superior integer throughput.

The Ultra 5 226V fights back in specific, often overlooked workloads. Its most dramatic victory is in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 166 against the i5-12500’s 75, a 54.8% advantage. This suggests a fundamentally different execution pipeline that excels at certain algorithmic patterns. It also wins in floating-point math (52,270 vs 48,004, or 8.2% ahead), data encryption (12,710 vs 12,033, or 5.3% ahead), and physics simulations (1,449 vs 1,242, or 14.3% ahead). In single-threaded tests, the results are close but favor the mobile chip: PassMark single-thread shows 3,754 vs 3,666 (2.3% ahead), and Cinebench R15 single-core shows 267 vs 238 (10.9% ahead). However, the i5-12500 reclaims single-core leadership in newer Cinebench versions, winning R20 single-core 993 to 900 (10.3%) and R23 single-core 2,366 to 1,744 (35.7%).

Data compression and sorting also favor the i5-12500. It wins PassMark data compression 238,753 to 170,687, a 39.9% gap, and random string sorting 23,523 to 20,813, a 13% lead. Extended instructions see the i5-12500 ahead 16,090 to 14,724 (9.3%). Overall, the i5-12500 secures 12 wins out of 19 head-to-head benchmarks, with the Ultra 5 226V taking 7. The i5-12500’s average benchmark score is 19,668, placing it in the 73rd percentile, while the Ultra 5 226V averages 19,368, also in the 73rd percentile. This near-identical percentile masks the fact that the i5-12500 achieves its score through sheer multi-threaded force, whereas the Ultra 5 226V relies on efficiency and targeted wins.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture: the i5-12500 is the superior processor for any workload that scales with threads. Its 70.2% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 59.5% lead in PassMark integer math are not anomalies; they are consistent across almost every multi-threaded test. The Ultra 5 226V, despite its newer 3 nm process and higher single-core clock potential, cannot overcome the i5-12500’s 6-core/12-thread configuration versus its own 8-core/8-thread layout without hyper-threading.

For users running video rendering, code compilation, or heavy multitasking, the i5-12500 is the only logical choice based on this data. The Ultra 5 226V’s wins are real but narrow in scope. Its 54.8% advantage in prime number finding and 14.3% lead in physics suggest specific scientific or simulation workloads could benefit, but these are niche cases. The i5-12500 also holds a 2% lead in Geekbench single-core, indicating that even in lightly-threaded everyday tasks, the desktop part is not left behind.

The Ultra 5 226V’s case rests on efficiency rather than performance parity. With a 17W TDP versus the i5-12500’s 65W, it consumes a fraction of the power while delivering competitive single-thread scores and winning in floating-point math. For a mobile form factor where battery life and thermals dominate, that trade-off is logical. But for a desktop user with no power constraints, the i5-12500’s 12.5% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core and 11.4% lead in PassMark multithread are decisive. The verdict is not close: the i5-12500 wins on performance, while the Ultra 5 226V wins only on efficiency and a few specialized tasks.

Architecture Differences

The two chips are built on radically different foundations. The i5-12500 uses Intel’s Alder Lake architecture on a 10 nm process, manufactured by Intel, with a die size of 163 mm². It features 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. Its cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 5 226V, by contrast, is a Lunar Lake part built on a 3 nm process at TSMC. It has 8 cores and 8 threads, with a lower base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. Its cache is larger per core—192 KB L1 and 2.5 MB L2—but its shared L3 is much smaller at 8 MB.

The process node difference is significant: 10 nm versus 3 nm. This explains the Ultra 5 226V’s 17W TDP versus the i5-12500’s 65W. The newer process allows for more efficient transistors, which the data reflects in the Ultra 5 226V’s wins in floating-point math and encryption despite having half the threads. However, the smaller L3 cache (8 MB vs 18 MB) likely contributes to the i5-12500’s dominance in multi-threaded tests, where a larger shared cache reduces memory latency across cores.

Memory support also differs. The i5-12500 supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 5 226V’s memory support is listed as “unknown, depends on motherboard,” though both use dual-channel buses. PCIe lanes show a stark contrast: the i5-12500 offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the Ultra 5 226V offers Gen 5 with only 4 lanes. This makes the i5-12500 far more suitable for discrete GPUs and multiple NVMe drives. Integrated graphics differ as well—UHD Graphics 770 on the i5-12500 versus Arc 130V on the Ultra 5 226V—though the benchmark data does not test these. The sockets are incompatible: LGA 1700 for the i5-12500 versus BGA 2833 for the Ultra 5 226V, which is soldered for mobile use. The release dates are nearly three years apart (January 2022 for the i5-12500, September 2024 for the Ultra 5 226V), yet the older chip is often faster.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-12500 wins decisively. It leads by 70.2% in Cinebench R23 multi-core (16,759 vs 9,848) and by 59.5% in PassMark integer math (61,626 vs 38,647). Its 12 threads versus 8 threads provide a clear advantage in parallel workloads.

Q: Does the newer Ultra 5 226V win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins 7 of 19 head-to-head tests. Its most notable victories include a 54.8% lead in PassMark find prime numbers (166 vs 75), a 14.3% lead in PassMark physics (1,449 vs 1,242), and an 8.2% lead in floating-point math (52,270 vs 48,004). It also edges ahead in single-thread PassMark (3,754 vs 3,666).

Q: What explains the i5-12500’s massive lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The i5-12500 has 12 threads versus the Ultra 5 226V’s 8 threads, and a much larger 18 MB shared L3 cache versus 8 MB. The desktop chip’s 65W TDP also allows for sustained high clocks, whereas the Ultra 5 226V’s 17W TDP limits thermal headroom.

Q: Is the Ultra 5 226V better for single-threaded tasks?

A: It is only marginally better in older tests. It leads Cinebench R15 single-core by 10.9% (267 vs 238) and PassMark single-thread by 2.3% (3,754 vs 3,666). However, the i5-12500 wins newer single-core tests, including Cinebench R23 single-core by 35.7% (2,366 vs 1,744).

Q: How do the two chips compare in average benchmark scores?

A: The i5-12500 has an average benchmark score of 19,668, while the Ultra 5 226V scores 19,368. Both are in the 73rd percentile of all CPUs, but the i5-12500’s score is achieved through multi-threaded dominance.

Q: Which chip requires more power?

A: The i5-12500 has a TDP of 65W, while the Ultra 5 226V has a TDP of 17W. This makes the Ultra 5 226V significantly more power-efficient, which is reflected in its wins in floating-point math and physics despite lower multi-thread scores.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-12500 is the clear winner for content creation and productivity. Its 70.2% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core makes it ideal for video rendering, 3D modeling, and batch photo processing. The 59.5% advantage in integer math benefits code compilation, spreadsheet calculations, and database operations. Data compression, where it leads by 39.9%, is critical for file archiving and backup software. The 9% lead in Geekbench multicore indicates general multitasking performance is better, and the 11.4% lead in PassMark multithread confirms it can handle many concurrent applications. For a desktop workstation, this is the superior chip.

The Ultra 5 226V wins in niche scientific and simulation workloads. Its 54.8% lead in prime number finding suggests it excels at cryptographic algorithms or mathematical sieving. The 14.3% lead in physics simulations could benefit game physics engines or computational physics. The 8.2% lead in floating-point math is relevant for scientific computing and certain financial models. Its 5.3% lead in data encryption makes it a better choice for tasks involving heavy encryption/decryption, as shown by the PassMark data encryption score of 12,710 versus 12,033. For a mobile user running these specific tasks, the Ultra 5 226V offers better per-watt performance, though its absolute scores are lower in most other areas.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every fundamental specification. The i5-12500 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Ultra 5 226V has 8 cores but only 8 threads. Base clocks differ significantly: 3.00 GHz for the i5-12500 versus 2.10 GHz for the Ultra 5 226V. Boost clocks are closer, at 4.60 GHz versus 4.50 GHz. TDP is a major differentiator: 65W versus 17W. The i5-12500 uses the Intel Socket 1700, while the Ultra 5 226V uses the BGA 2833 socket. Architecture is Alder Lake versus Lunar Lake, with process nodes of 10 nm (Intel) versus 3 nm (TSMC). The i5-12500 has a die size of 163 mm², while the Ultra 5 226V’s die size is not listed. Cache configurations differ: L1 is 80 KB per core versus 192 KB per core, L2 is 1.25 MB per core versus 2.5 MB per core, and L3 is 18 MB shared versus 8 MB shared. Memory support is DDR4/DDR5 for the i5-12500 versus “unknown, depends on motherboard” for the Ultra 5 226V, though both are dual-channel. PCIe lanes are 20 (Gen 5) for the i5-12500 versus 4 (Gen 5) for the Ultra 5 226V. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 770 versus Arc 130V. The market segment is Desktop versus Mobile, and launch MSRP for the i5-12500 is $212 (the Ultra 5 226V has no listed MSRP). The i5-12500 was released in January 2022, while the Ultra 5 226V was released in September 2024. Both have locked multipliers and do not support ECC memory.