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.

Atom N2800 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.

Atom N2800 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.

Atom N2800

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $127 less on MSRP ($47 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
✅Draws 7W instead of 65W, a 58W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel GMA 3650, 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 (1,829 vs 19,532).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 38.9 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($47 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on FCBGA559, 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: +368.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 188.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 38.9 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $47 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA559 and older memory support.
✅400% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Atom N2800.

Trade-offs

❌
270.2% HIGHER MSRP
$174 MSRPvs$47 MSRP
❌828.6% higher power demand at 65W vs 7W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Atom N2800 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Atom N2800?

Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 368.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 967.9% 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 368.5% 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 967.9% 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 270.2% more expensive on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $47 MSRP, and it still gives you a 368.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 188.5% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 38.9 PassMark/$), 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 2011), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA559, and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 2/4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Atom N2800 vs Core i5-12400F Technical Specifications

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

Atom N2800

The Atom N2800 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 December 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Cedarview-M (2011−2012) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.86 GHz, with boost up to 1.87 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA559. Thermal design power (TDP): 6.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,829 points. Launch price was $47.

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 Atom N2800 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 1.87 GHz on the Atom N2800 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 80.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 1.86 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Atom N2800 uses the Cedarview-M (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Atom N2800 scores 1,829 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 165.8% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom N2800 vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	Atom N2800	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	1.87 GHz	4.4 GHz+135%
Base Clock	1.86 GHz	2.5 GHz+34%
L3 Cache	0 kB	18 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+40860%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	32 nm	Intel 7 nm-78%
Architecture	Cedarview-M (2011−2012)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	1,829	19,532+968%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,700
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	657

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Atom N2800 uses the FCBGA559 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 Atom N2800 versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F — the Core i5-12400F supports 350.3% 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 4 GB — 3100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Atom N2800) vs 2 (Core i5-12400F). PCIe lanes: 4 (Atom N2800) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel NM10 (Atom N2800) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).

Feature	Atom N2800	Core i5-12400F
Socket	FCBGA559	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+350%
Max RAM Capacity	4 GB	128 GB+3100%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	4	20+400%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom N2800) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). The Atom N2800 includes integrated graphics (Intel GMA 3650), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Atom N2800	Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel GMA 3650	—
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Gaming Performance/Value

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Atom N2800 was priced at $47, while the Core i5-12400F came in at $174. On launch pricing ($47 vs $174), Atom N2800 was $127 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Atom N2800 delivers 38.9 pts/$ vs 112.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 97% better value option.

Feature	Atom N2800	Core i5-12400F
MSRP	$47-73%	$174
Performance per Dollar	38.9	112.3+189%
Release Date	2011	2022

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