Athlon II N330 vs Core i5-12400F

Athlon II N330

2 Cores2 Thrd1 WWMax: 2.3 GHz2010

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Athlon II N330

2 / 2

1,999

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-12400F

6 / 12

19,532

+877.1%

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. The Athlon II N330 is positioned at rank #884 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Athlon II N330

#872

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1468%

#873

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1446%

#874

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1328%

#875

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1322%

#876

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1310%

#878

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1265%

#879

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1213%

#880

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1211%

#881

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1178%

#884

Athlon II N330

MSRP: $100|Avg: $50

100%

#889

Core i7-7820EQ

MSRP: $378|Avg: $378

99%

#890

Celeron 7305

MSRP: $128|Avg: $107

98%

#891

E-300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $20

98%

#892

Core i7-7820HK

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

98%

#895

Pentium B940

MSRP: $134|Avg: $11

97%

#896

Core i5-8305G

MSRP: $350|Avg: $350

97%

#897

Celeron 6305

MSRP: $107|Avg: $80

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-12400F

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

121%

#16

Core Ultra 5 225F

MSRP: $231|Avg: $150

118%

#17

Core Ultra 7 265K

MSRP: $309|Avg: $285

116%

#18

Ryzen 9 3900

MSRP: $499|Avg: $150

115%

#19

Ryzen 5 3600X

MSRP: $249|Avg: $90

113%

#20

Core i7-14700KF

MSRP: $384|Avg: $260

113%

#21

Core i7-14700K

MSRP: $409|Avg: $270

109%

#22

Ryzen 5 4500

MSRP: $129|Avg: $85

106%

#23

Ryzen 5 5600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $115

106%

#24

Celeron G5925

MSRP: $62|Avg: $15

105%

#25

Ryzen 5 7500F

MSRP: $179|Avg: $145

104%

#26

Core Ultra 5 245

MSRP: $319|Avg: $220

103%

#27

Ryzen 7 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $86

102%

#28

Core Ultra 7 265KF

MSRP: $379|Avg: $323

102%

#29

Core Ultra 7 265F

MSRP: $369|Avg: $276

100%

#30

Core i5-12400F

MSRP: $174|Avg: $110

100%

#31

Ryzen 3 PRO 5355G

MSRP: $130|Avg: $80

99%

#32

Ryzen 7 2700X

MSRP: $329|Avg: $100

98%

#33

Core i3-10100F

MSRP: $88|Avg: $50

98%

#34

Ryzen 5 7400F

MSRP: $150|Avg: $147

98%

#35

Ryzen 5 9600X

MSRP: $279|Avg: $178

95%

#36

Ryzen 7 3800X

MSRP: $399|Avg: $140

93%

#37

Ryzen 3 5300G

MSRP: $130|Avg: $80

92%

#38

Ryzen 9 7900X

MSRP: $549|Avg: $316

91%

#39

Ryzen 5 5600X

MSRP: $299|Avg: $135

91%

#40

Core i5-14600KF

MSRP: $304|Avg: $239

91%

#41

Ryzen 7 5800

MSRP: $349|Avg: $160

91%

#42

Core i3-14100F

MSRP: $109|Avg: $96

90%

#43

Ryzen 7 3700X

MSRP: $329|Avg: $140

90%

#44

Ryzen 5 7600X

MSRP: $299|Avg: $178

90%

#45

Ryzen 3 3100

MSRP: $99|Avg: $75

90%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i5-12400F (2022) utilizes Intel 7 nm technology and DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Athlon II N330	Core i5-12400F
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($50)	⚠️ Higher cost ($110)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Champlain (2010−2011) / 45 nm)	✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Athlon II N330 (2010) relies on 45 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Athlon II N330	Core i5-12400F
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+344%)
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($50)	⚠️ Higher cost ($110)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Athlon II N330 Benchmark Check

Core i5-12400F Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Athlon II N330 and Core i5-12400F

Athlon II N330

The Athlon II N330 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.3 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,999 points. Launch price was $149.

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 Athlon II N330 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 2.3 GHz on the Athlon II N330 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 62.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F. The Athlon II N330 uses the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II N330 scores 1,999 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 162.9% lead for the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	Athlon II N330	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz	4.4 GHz+91%
Base Clock	—	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	—	18 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB	1.25 MB (per core)+25%
Process	45 nm	Intel 7 nm-84%
Architecture	Champlain (2010−2011)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	1,999	19,532+877%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,700
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	657

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon II N330 uses the S1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-12400F uses LGA1700 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1066 on the Athlon II N330 versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F — the Athlon II N330 supports 198.1% 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 — 176.5% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon II N330) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: S1g4 (Athlon II N330) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).

Feature	Athlon II N330	Core i5-12400F
Socket	S1	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	1066+21220%	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	8	128 GB+1677721500%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	0	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: true (Athlon II N330) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Athlon II N330 rivals Pentium P6100; Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Athlon II N330	Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Gaming Performance/Value

💰

Value Analysis

The Athlon II N330 launched at $100 MSRP, while the Core i5-12400F debuted at $174. At current prices ($50 vs $110), the Athlon II N330 is $60 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II N330 delivers 40.0 pts/$ vs 177.6 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 126.5% better value option.