Athlon X4 740 vs Core i5-12400F

CPU

GPU

Athlon X4 740

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2012

Similar parts

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Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

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Athlon X4 740 vs Core i5-12400F Performance Spectrum

Athlon X4 740

4 / 4

2,646

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-12400F

6 / 12

19,532

+638.2%

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 X4 740 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 X4 740 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 X4 740

2012

Why buy it

✅Costs $103 less on MSRP ($71 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,646 vs 19,532).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.3 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($71 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on FM2, 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: +233.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 201.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 37.3 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $71 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FM2 and older memory support.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Athlon X4 740.

Trade-offs

❌
145.1% HIGHER MSRP
$174 MSRPvs$71 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Athlon X4 740?

Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 233.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 638.2% better 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 233.1% 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 638.2% better PassMark, 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 145.1% more expensive on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $71 MSRP, and it still gives you a 233.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 201.2% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 37.3 PassMark/$), 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 2012), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of FM2, and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 4/4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Athlon X4 740 vs Core i5-12400F Technical Specifications

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

Athlon X4 740

The Athlon X4 740 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L2 cache: 4 MB (total). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 2,646 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.

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Processing Power

The Athlon X4 740 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-12400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-12400F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Athlon X4 740 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 17.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Athlon X4 740 uses the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X4 740 scores 2,646 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 152.3% lead for the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	Athlon X4 740	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	4.4 GHz+19%
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+28%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	—	18 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4 MB (total)+220%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	32 nm	Intel 7 nm-78%
Architecture	Trinity (2012−2013)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	2,646	19,532+638%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,700
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	657

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon X4 740 uses the FM2 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 DDR3-1866 on the Athlon X4 740 versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F — the Core i5-12400F supports 157.2% 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: 16 (Athlon X4 740) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD FM2 (Athlon X4 740) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).

Feature	Athlon X4 740	Core i5-12400F
Socket	FM2	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1866	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+157%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon X4 740) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). Primary use case: Athlon X4 740 targets Desktop, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Athlon X4 740	Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	AMD-V	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Desktop	Gaming Performance/Value

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon X4 740 was priced at $71, while the Core i5-12400F came in at $174. On launch pricing ($71 vs $174), Athlon X4 740 was $103 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X4 740 delivers 37.3 pts/$ vs 112.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 100.3% better value option.

Feature	Athlon X4 740	Core i5-12400F
MSRP	$71-59%	$174
Performance per Dollar	37.3	112.3+201%
Release Date	2012	2022

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