A4-1250 vs Core i5-12400F

CPU

GPU

A4-1250

2 Cores2 Thrd8 WWMax: 1 GHz2013

Similar parts

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Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Core family

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A4-1250 vs Core i5-12400F Performance Spectrum

A4-1250

2 / 2

1,258

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-12400F

6 / 12

19,532

+1452.6%

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

A4-1250 vs Core i5-12400F FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

A4-1250 vs Core i5-12400F: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

A4-1250

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $74 less on MSRP ($100 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
✅Draws 8W instead of 65W, a 57W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 8210, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (188 vs 657).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.6 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($100 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on FT3, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +568.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 792.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 12.6 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FT3 and older memory support.
✅150% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike A4-1250.

Trade-offs

❌
74% HIGHER MSRP
$174 MSRPvs$100 MSRP
❌712.5% higher power demand at 65W vs 8W.
❌No integrated graphics, while A4-1250 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than A4-1250?

Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 568.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 249.5% better Geekbench multi-core, 1452.6% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-12400F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 568.5% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12400F is the stronger fit. You are getting 249.5% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-12400F is the better buy right now. Core i5-12400F comes in 74.0% more expensive on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $100 MSRP, and it still gives you a 568.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 792.3% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 12.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-12400F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2013), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of FT3, and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 2/2. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

A4-1250 vs Core i5-12400F Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

A4-1250

The A4-1250 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Temash (2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FT3. Thermal design power (TDP): 8 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,258 points. Launch price was $50.

Core i5-12400F

The Core i5-12400F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 19,532 points. Launch price was $180.

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Processing Power

The A4-1250 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core i5-12400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-12400F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1 GHz on the A4-1250 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 125.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F. The A4-1250 uses the Temash (2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the A4-1250 scores 1,258 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 175.8% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 111 vs 1,700, a 175.5% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 188 vs 657 (111% advantage for the Core i5-12400F). L3 cache: 0 kB on the A4-1250 vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	A4-1250	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	1 GHz	4.4 GHz+340%
Base Clock	—	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	18 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+40860%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	32 nm	Intel 7 nm-78%
Architecture	Temash (2013)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	1,258	19,532+1453%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	111	1,700+1432%
Geekbench 6 Multi	188	657+249%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The A4-1250 uses the FT3 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-12400F uses LGA1700 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L 1333 MHz on the A4-1250 versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F — the Core i5-12400F supports 260.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-12400F supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 1500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (A4-1250) vs 2 (Core i5-12400F). PCIe lanes: 8 (A4-1250) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: FT3 (A4-1250) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).

Feature	A4-1250	Core i5-12400F
Socket	FT3	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L 1333 MHz	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+260%
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	128 GB+1500%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	8	20+150%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: true (A4-1250) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). The A4-1250 includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 8210), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A4-1250 targets Tablet, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: A4-1250 rivals Atom Z3740; Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	A4-1250	Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Radeon HD 8210	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Tablet	Gaming Performance/Value

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the A4-1250 was priced at $100, while the Core i5-12400F came in at $174. On launch pricing ($100 vs $174), A4-1250 was $74 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the A4-1250 delivers 12.6 pts/$ vs 112.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 159.7% better value option.

Feature	A4-1250	Core i5-12400F
MSRP	$100-43%	$174
Performance per Dollar	12.6	112.3+791%
Release Date	2013	2022

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