CPU
GPU
Athlon II X2 250u
Core i5-12400F
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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 X2 250u is positioned at rank #891 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X2 250u
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-12400F
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon II X2 250u | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($110) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Regor (2009−2013) / 45 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon II X2 250u | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+185%) |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($110) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Athlon II X2 250u and Core i5-12400F
Athlon II X2 250u
The Athlon II X2 250u is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 October 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Regor (2009−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 935 points. Launch price was $35.
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 X2 250u 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 1.6 GHz on the Athlon II X2 250u versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 93.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F. The Athlon II X2 250u uses the Regor (2009−2013) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X2 250u scores 935 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 181.7% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 222 vs 1,700, a 153.8% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 423 vs 657 (43.3% advantage for the Core i5-12400F). L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X2 250u vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 250u | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 6 / 12+200% |
| Boost Clock | 1.6 GHz | 4.4 GHz+175% |
| Base Clock | — | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 18 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 1.25 MB (per core)+25% |
| Process | 45 nm | Intel 7 nm-84% |
| Architecture | Regor (2009−2013) | Alder Lake-S (2022) |
| PassMark | 935 | 19,532+1989% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 12,380 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 222 | 1,700+666% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 423 | 657+55% |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon II X2 250u uses the AM3 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 DDR3-1066 on the Athlon II X2 250u versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F — the Core i5-12400F supports 50% 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 — 176.5% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Athlon II X2 250u) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: 760G,785G (Athlon II X2 250u) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).
| Feature | Athlon II X2 250u | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3 | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1066 | DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+67% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | 128 GB+1500% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 20+25% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon II X2 250u) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). Primary use case: Athlon II X2 250u targets Low Power Desktop, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Athlon II X2 250u rivals Core 2 Duo E7500; Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 250u | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Low Power Desktop | Gaming Performance/Value |
Value Analysis
The Athlon II X2 250u launched at $60 MSRP, while the Core i5-12400F debuted at $174. At current prices ($15 vs $110), the Athlon II X2 250u is $95 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X2 250u delivers 62.3 pts/$ vs 177.6 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 96.1% better value option.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 250u | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $60-66% | $174 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $15-86% | $110 |
| Performance per Dollar | 62.3 | 177.6+185% |
| Release Date | 2009 | 2022 |
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