Intel Core i5-12490F

The Intel Core i5-12490F is a 6-core, 12-thread desktop processor from Intel's Core 12th Gen series, built on the Alder Lake-S architecture at Intel's 10 nm process node. It runs on Intel Socket 1700 with a 3.00 GHz base clock and a 4.60 GHz boost clock, backed by 20 MB of shared L3 cache and a 65 W TDP. Benchmark data shows an average score of 20794, placing it in the 79th percentile of all CPUs tracked.

Platform and Compatibility

The i5-12490F uses Intel Socket 1700, the desktop socket for Intel's 12th Gen Alder Lake-S lineup. The platform supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, giving builders a choice between current and previous-generation memory standards. PCIe support is Gen 5 with 20 lanes available from the CPU only, providing a high-bandwidth interconnect for graphics and NVMe storage directly from the processor.

The processor has no integrated graphics, so a discrete graphics card is mandatory for any display output. The multiplier is locked, ruling out overclocking via multiplier adjustment. Production status is Active, and the part number is SRL4X. The die size is 163 mm² on Intel's 10 nm process. ECC memory is not supported.

Cache layout: 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3. With 6 cores and 12 threads, the L3 pool is substantial for a mid-range desktop part. The Socket 1700 platform is shared across the 12th Gen Alder Lake-S family, so upgrade options within the same socket exist, though specific alternatives are not detailed in the available data.

How It Compares

The nearest rivals in the benchmark database are four processors with average scores within 0.4% of the i5-12490F's 20794.

Intel Core i7-10700: The i7-10700 averages 20746, putting the i5-12490F 0.2% ahead. This is a statistical tie — the two processors deliver nearly identical average benchmark performance.

AMD EPYC 7J13: The EPYC 7J13 averages 20845, with the i5-12490F 0.2% behind. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical, reflecting the i5-12490F's competitive performance in the workloads measured.

AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT: The Ryzen 5 5600GT averages 20740, with the i5-12490F 0.3% ahead. Again, a near-tie, with the i5-12490F holding a marginal edge.

AMD Ryzen 5 5500: The Ryzen 5 5500 averages 20875, with the i5-12490F 0.4% behind. This is the largest delta among the four rivals, but at 0.4% it remains within run-to-run variance for most benchmarks.

Overall, the data shows the i5-12490F sits in an extremely tight performance cluster — all four rivals are within 0.4% of its average score. None of these deltas represent a meaningful real-world performance gap.

Who Should Consider It

For gaming, the i5-12490F's single-thread scores are strong: 3dmark single-thread 946, Cinebench R23 single-core 2424, and PassMark single-thread 3682. These numbers indicate robust per-core performance that benefits game engines, which typically rely on a few heavily loaded threads. The absence of integrated graphics means a discrete GPU is required, but for a gaming build this is expected anyway.

For content creation, the multi-thread scores — Cinebench R23 multi-core 17171, Cinebench R20 multi-core 7211, PassMark multithread 20202 — show solid rendering and encoding capability. Data compression (237304) and encryption (12018) scores indicate good throughput for archival and security workloads.

For office and general productivity, the integer math score of 60548 and floating-point math of 47326 in PassMark indicate strong general-purpose compute. The 65 W TDP keeps cooling requirements modest, which suits compact office builds. The 79th percentile ranking confirms this processor outperforms the majority of tracked CPUs.

Users who need integrated graphics should look elsewhere, as the i5-12490F has none. Users who require ECC memory will also be disappointed — ECC is not supported.

FAQ

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-12490F include integrated graphics?

A: No. No integrated graphics is listed for this processor, so a discrete GPU is required for display output.

Q: What memory types does the i5-12490F support?

A: It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration.

Q: Can the multiplier be unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, the multiplier is locked.

Q: What socket does the i5-12490F use?

A: Intel Socket 1700.

Q: What is the TDP of the i5-12490F?

A: 65 W.

Q: How many PCIe lanes does the CPU provide?

A: Gen 5, 20 lanes from the CPU only.

Benchmark Performance

The i5-12490F's average benchmark score is 20794, placing it in the 79th percentile of all CPUs tracked. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core score is 17171 and the single-core score is 2424. The R20 results show 7211 multi-core and 1018 single-core. The R15 results show 1730 multi-core and 244 single-core.

In 3dmark, the scores scale from 1727 at 2 threads to 3133 at 4 threads, 4811 at 8 threads, 5923 at 16 threads, and 5936 at max threads. This scaling pattern shows strong thread utilization up to 8 threads, with modest gains beyond — consistent with a 6-core/12-thread processor.

PassMark results show multithread at 20202, single-thread at 3682, integer math at 60548, floating-point math at 47326, extended instructions at 15993, data compression at 237304, data encryption at 12018, physics at 1345, random string sorting at 23791, and find prime numbers at 87.

Relative to its nearest rivals, the deltas are minimal: 0.2% ahead of the i7-10700, 0.3% ahead of the Ryzen 5 5600GT, 0.2% behind the EPYC 7J13, and 0.4% behind the Ryzen 5 5500. None of these differences exceed 0.4%, meaning the i5-12490F is effectively performance-equivalent to all four rivals in aggregate terms. The 79th percentile ranking confirms it outperforms the majority of tracked processors.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The single-thread scores — 946 in 3dmark, 2424 in Cinebench R23, 3682 in PassMark — reflect the processor's 4.60 GHz boost clock and Alder Lake architecture. These scores matter most for gaming, legacy applications, and lightly threaded productivity tools.

The multi-thread scores — 5936 in 3dmark max threads, 17171 in Cinebench R23, 20202 in PassMark — show what the 6 cores and 12 threads can do when fully utilized. The 3dmark scaling from 2 threads (1727) to 4 threads (3133) to 8 threads (4811) to max threads (5936) shows near-linear growth through 8 threads and diminishing returns beyond, which is expected for a 6-core part with 12 threads.

The practical implication: workloads that use 8 or fewer threads see near-full scaling, while workloads that scale to 12 threads get additional but smaller gains. This makes the i5-12490F well-suited to mixed workloads — games that use a handful of threads, plus productivity apps that can use all 12. The gap between single-thread and multi-thread scores is substantial, indicating the processor maintains strong per-core efficiency while also delivering competitive aggregate throughput.

Power and Thermals

The i5-12490F carries a 65 W TDP. This is a modest power envelope for a 6-core/12-thread desktop processor, particularly one built on Intel's 10 nm process with a 163 mm² die.

The locked multiplier means no overclocking headroom, so the 65 W TDP is effectively the power ceiling under normal operation. This simplifies cooling: a mainstream air cooler is sufficient to handle the thermal output, though cooler specifications are not detailed in the available data.

The absence of integrated graphics means the processor package does not include an iGPU die, keeping the power budget focused on the CPU cores. The 20 MB of shared L3 cache and the 3.00 GHz base / 4.60 GHz boost clocks are the primary power consumers. The 65 W TDP class pairs well with compact cases and modest cooling solutions. The active production status ensures ongoing availability.