Athlon 240GE vs Core i5-12400F

CPU

GPU

Athlon 240GE

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2018

Similar parts

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Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Core family

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Athlon 240GE vs Core i5-12400F Performance Spectrum

Athlon 240GE

2 / 4

4,561

0.0%

FX-9800P

Athlon X4 830

Ryzen Embedded V1202B

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

Core i5-12400F

6 / 12

19,532

+328.2%

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.

Athlon 240GE 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.

Athlon 240GE 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.

Athlon 240GE

2018

Why buy it

✅+234.9% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Costs $99 less on MSRP ($75 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon Vega 3, 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.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 60.8 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($75 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +131.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+350% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Delivers 84.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 60.8 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $75 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅150% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (657 vs 2,200).
❌
132% HIGHER MSRP
$174 MSRPvs$75 MSRP
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Athlon 240GE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Athlon 240GE?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-12400F is ahead with a 131.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Athlon 240GE pulls ahead with 234.9% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i5-12400F also has the bigger cache pool with 350% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 4 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon 240GE is the stronger fit. You are getting 234.9% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 4 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 132.0% more expensive on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $75 MSRP, and it still gives you a 131.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Athlon 240GE is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 234.9% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 84.6% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 60.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Athlon 240GE can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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 2018), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of AM4, and 350% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 4 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Athlon 240GE vs Core i5-12400F Technical Specifications

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

Athlon 240GE

The Athlon 240GE is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 21 December 2018 (6 years ago). It is based on the Zen (2017−2020) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 4,561 points. Launch price was $75.

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 Athlon 240GE packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-12400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-12400F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Athlon 240GE versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 22.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Athlon 240GE uses the Zen (2017−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 240GE scores 4,561 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 124.3% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 930 vs 1,700, a 58.6% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,200 vs 657 (108% advantage for the Athlon 240GE). L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Athlon 240GE vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	Athlon 240GE	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	4.4 GHz+26%
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+40%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	18 MB (total)+350%
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+40860%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Zen (2017−2020)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	4,561	19,532+328%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	930	1,700+83%
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,200+235%	657

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon 240GE uses the AM4 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 DDR4-2666 on the Athlon 240GE versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F — the Core i5-12400F supports 80% 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 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (Athlon 240GE) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A320,B450 (Athlon 240GE) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).

Feature	Athlon 240GE	Core i5-12400F
Socket	AM4	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+80%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	8	20+150%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon 240GE) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). The Athlon 240GE includes integrated graphics (Radeon Vega 3), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon 240GE targets Budget Desktop, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Athlon 240GE rivals Pentium Gold G5400; Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Athlon 240GE	Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Radeon Vega 3	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	AMD-V	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Budget Desktop	Gaming Performance/Value

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon 240GE was priced at $75, while the Core i5-12400F came in at $174. On launch pricing ($75 vs $174), Athlon 240GE was $99 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon 240GE delivers 60.8 pts/$ vs 112.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 59.4% better value option.

Feature	Athlon 240GE	Core i5-12400F
MSRP	$75-57%	$174
Performance per Dollar	60.8	112.3+85%
Release Date	2018	2022

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