A9-9425 vs Core i5-12400F

CPU

GPU

A9-9425

2 Cores2 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2016

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Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

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A9-9425 vs Core i5-12400F Performance Spectrum

A9-9425

2 / 2

1,518

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-12400F

6 / 12

19,532

+1186.7%

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.

A9-9425 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.

A9-9425 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.

A9-9425

2016

Why buy it

✅+10.2% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Costs $24 less on MSRP ($150 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
✅Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon R5 (Stoney Ridge), 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 PassMark per dollar, at 10.1 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($150 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on FT4 with DDR4, 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: +450.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 1009.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 10.1 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FT4 and DDR4.
✅150% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike A9-9425.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (657 vs 724).
❌
16% HIGHER MSRP
$174 MSRPvs$150 MSRP
❌333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while A9-9425 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than A9-9425?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-12400F is ahead with a 450.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, A9-9425 pulls ahead with 10.2% better Geekbench multi-core.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, A9-9425 is the stronger fit. You are getting 10.2% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 2 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 16.0% more expensive on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $150 MSRP, and it still gives you a 450.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that A9-9425 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 10.2% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 1009.2% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 10.1 PassMark/$), 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 2016) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of FT4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

A9-9425 vs Core i5-12400F Technical Specifications

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

A9-9425

The A9-9425 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 31 May 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FT4. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,518 points. Launch price was $69.

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.

⚡

Processing Power

The A9-9425 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 3.7 GHz on the A9-9425 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 17.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The A9-9425 uses the Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the A9-9425 scores 1,518 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 171.2% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 422 vs 1,700, a 120.5% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 724 vs 657 (9.7% advantage for the A9-9425). L3 cache: 0 kB on the A9-9425 vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	A9-9425	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	4.4 GHz+19%
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+24%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	18 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)+25%
Process	28 nm	Intel 7 nm-75%
Architecture	Stoney Ridge (2016−2019)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	1,518	19,532+1187%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	422	1,700+303%
Geekbench 6 Multi	724+10%	657

🧠

Memory & Platform

The A9-9425 uses the FT4 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 DDR4-2133 on the A9-9425 versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F — the Core i5-12400F supports 125% 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 (A9-9425) vs 2 (Core i5-12400F). PCIe lanes: 8 (A9-9425) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SoC (A9-9425) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).

Feature	A9-9425	Core i5-12400F
Socket	FT4	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+125%
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	128 GB+1500%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	8	20+150%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: AMD-V (A9-9425) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). The A9-9425 includes integrated graphics (Radeon R5 (Stoney Ridge)), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A9-9425 targets Budget Laptop, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: A9-9425 rivals Pentium N4200; Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	A9-9425	Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Radeon R5 (Stoney Ridge)	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	AMD-V	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Budget Laptop	Gaming Performance/Value

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the A9-9425 was priced at $150, while the Core i5-12400F came in at $174. On launch pricing ($150 vs $174), A9-9425 was $24 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the A9-9425 delivers 10.1 pts/$ vs 112.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 166.9% better value option.

Feature	A9-9425	Core i5-12400F
MSRP	$150-14%	$174
Performance per Dollar	10.1	112.3+1012%
Release Date	2016	2022

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