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Intel Core i5-12500HL

Embedded CPUIntel

Also called intel core i5-12500hl, core i5-12500hl, i5-12500hl, core-i5-12500hl

IntelEmbedded CPUAlder Lake

Intel Core i5 embedded processor on Alder Lake, with 12 cores and 16 threads and 18 MB L3 at 45 W TDP addressing up to 64 GB and Intel Iris Xe Graphics eligible.

What you need to know

Still a capable Core i5 desktop chip.

Intel Core i5-12500HL launched in July 1, 2022., It has 12 cores and 16 threads on Alder Lake, dropping into the FCLGA1700 socket. It is no longer the newest SKU in every store, but the chip is still useful when the rest of the PC keeps up.

Still good?
Yes, for most work this class is sold for
Product age
4 years old
Upgrade pressure
Low to moderate
Feex says
Old is not the same as bad. If the GPU is the bottleneck, swapping this CPU is one of the more expensive ways to learn that lesson.

What this hardware means today

Age and usefulness are not the same number. This page keeps them separate.

Performance today
Very Good. Very Good for the class when RAM, storage, and the GPU keep up.
Product age 4 years old
Aging. Launched July 1, 2022. Newer platforms exist. That does not make this chip unusable by itself.
Support status
Supported. Current Windows and current applications still run on this class of CPU. Platform BIOS support depends on the motherboard or laptop vendor.
Upgrade pressure
Low to moderate. Upgrade pressure comes from platform features and specific CPU-bound work, not from the chip being unusable.

Where does it sit?

Alder Lake sits on Intel's recent Core timeline. Later desktop branding moved toward Core Ultra.

11th Gen
12th Gen
13th Gen
14th Gen
Core Ultra

Performance context

These are qualitative readings, not a fake 8.7 out of 10. Workload still wins.

Gaming: Very Good

Plenty for current games when the GPU is the limit, which it often is.

Productivity: Very Good

12 cores cover office, browser, and compile work in this class.

Multithreaded workloads: Good

16 threads. Heavy encodes still scale further on higher-core parts.

General use: Excellent

Everyday Windows use is not where most people notice this SKU first.

Efficiency: Good

Rated 45 W base power. That is a platform number, not a promise about your cooler.

Should you upgrade?

Probably not based on CPU performance alone.

Upgrade makes more sense if

  • Your workload is strongly CPU limited
  • You need a newer platform for memory, I/O, or chipset features
  • You need substantially more multicore performance
  • You need newer connectivity that your current board cannot offer

Upgrade makes less sense if

  • The GPU is the real bottleneck
  • Current applications are already responsive
  • The CPU rarely limits your workload

Specifications

Figures below follow the Feex Hardware Database record for this SKU. Fields without a recorded value are omitted.

Processor

Intel Core i5-12500HL is built on Alder Lake.

Intel Core i5-12500HL specifications: Processor
Manufacturer Intel
Family Core i5
Architecture Alder Lake
Generation 12th Generation Intel Core i5 Processors
Segment Embedded

Cores and threads

Intel Core i5-12500HL has 12 cores and 16 threads.

Intel Core i5-12500HL specifications: Cores and threads
Cores 12 (4 P-cores + 8 E-cores)
P-cores 4
E-cores 8
Threads 16
Hybrid architecture Yes

Clock speeds

Base clock is 2.5 GHz. Boost reaches 4.5 GHz.

Intel Core i5-12500HL specifications: Clock speeds
Base frequency 2.5 GHz
Max boost 4.5 GHz

Cache

Cache on this sheet is 18 MB L3.

Intel Core i5-12500HL specifications: Cache
L3 cache 18 MB
Total cache 18 MB

Memory

Intel Core i5-12500HL addresses 64 GB across 2 memory channels.

Intel Core i5-12500HL specifications: Memory
Supported types DDR5, DDR4
Max capacity 64 GB
Channels 2

Package and power

Intel Core i5-12500HL uses the FCLGA1700 socket and a 45 W TDP.

Intel Core i5-12500HL specifications: Package and power
Socket FCLGA1700
TDP 45 W
PCIe 20 lanes

Integrated graphics

Intel Core i5-12500HL includes Intel Iris Xe Graphics eligible.

Intel Core i5-12500HL specifications: Integrated graphics
Integrated graphics Intel Iris Xe Graphics eligible

Market

Intel Core i5-12500HL launched July 1, 2022 at USD 279 (suggested price at launch).

Intel Core i5-12500HL specifications: Market
Launch date July 1, 2022
Launch MSRP USD 279 (suggested price at launch)
Model i5-12500HL

Features

Intel Core i5-12500HL records 40 instruction sets on this sheet.

Intel Core i5-12500HL specifications: Features
Instruction sets AES-NIAVX2AVXAVX-VNNICET-IBTCET-SSFMASHAVAES64-bit (x86-64)BMI1BMI2CLMULF16CGFNIPCLMULQDQRDRANDRDSEEDSSE4.1SSE4.2x86-64-v3ABMADXCMPXCHG16BEnhanced SpeedStepFast Short Rep MOVSFXSRInvariant TSCLZCNTPOPCNTRDTSCPSSESSE2SSE3SSSE3x86-64-v2XSAVEXSAVEOPTMMXMOVBE
Security AES-NIControl-flow Enforcement (CET)Execute Disable (NX)Boot GuardHardware RNGOS GuardOS Guard (SMAP)Mode-Based Execute Control
Virtualization Extended Page Tables (EPT)VT-d (DMA Remapping)VT-x (Hardware Virtualization)
AI acceleration Deep Learning BoostGaussian Neural Accelerator
OS capabilities Docker / Hyper-V readyLinux KVM readyWindows 11 eligibleAndroid emulator readyWSL2 ready

Compatibility

Compatibility
Socket FCLGA1700
Board A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Check the motherboard CPU list and BIOS revision.
Memory DDR5, DDR4, up to 64 GB
Graphics Intel Iris Xe Graphics eligible

A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Boards often need a BIOS update before a newer chip in the same socket will post.

Cooler clearance, VRM quality, and power limits matter as much as the socket name.

Read the memory list on the board. The CPU can list more standards than one motherboard will accept.

No post after a CPU swap

Clear CMOS only after you confirm the board list includes this SKU and the BIOS is new enough. A supported name on a box is not the same as a flashed board.

Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Partially Verified. How we research.

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