C-30 vs Core i5-12400F

CPU

GPU

C-30

1 Cores1 Thrd512 WWMax: 1.2 GHz2011

Similar parts

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Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Core family

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C-30 vs Core i5-12400F Performance Spectrum

C-30

1 / 1

201

0.0%

Ryzen 7 4700GE

Ryzen 9 5900X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX

Ryzen Threadripper 7980X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9995WX

Core i5-12400F

6 / 12

19,532

+9617.4%

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.

C-30 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.

C-30 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.

C-30

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $124 less on MSRP ($50 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 6250, 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 (201 vs 19,532).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 4.0 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($50 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on FT1, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3972.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 2692.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 4.0 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $50 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FT1 and older memory support.
✅400% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
248% HIGHER MSRP
$174 MSRPvs$50 MSRP
❌No integrated graphics, while C-30 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than C-30?

Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3972.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 9617.4% 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 3972.4% 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 9617.4% 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 248.0% more expensive on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $50 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3972.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 2692.4% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 4.0 PassMark/$), 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 FT1, and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 1/1. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

C-30 vs Core i5-12400F Technical Specifications

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

C-30

The C-30 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Ontario (2011−2012) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 1.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 40 nm process technology. Socket: FT1. Thermal design power (TDP): 512 kB. Memory support: DDR3 Single-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 201 points. Launch price was $69.

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 C-30 packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Core i5-12400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-12400F has 5 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.2 GHz on the C-30 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 114.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F. The C-30 uses the Ontario (2011−2012) architecture (40 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the C-30 scores 201 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 195.9% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 0 kB on the C-30 vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	C-30	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	1 / 1	6 / 12+500%
Boost Clock	1.2 GHz	4.4 GHz+267%
Base Clock	—	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	18 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB	1.25 MB (per core)+150%
Process	40 nm	Intel 7 nm-83%
Architecture	Ontario (2011−2012)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	201	19,532+9617%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,700
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	657

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Memory & Platform

The C-30 uses the FT1 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 C-30 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 (C-30) vs 2 (Core i5-12400F). PCIe lanes: 4 (C-30) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD BGA413 (C-30) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).

Feature	C-30	Core i5-12400F
Socket	FT1	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 (C-30) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). The C-30 includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6250), 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	C-30	Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Radeon HD 6250	—
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Gaming Performance/Value

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Value Analysis

At launch, the C-30 was priced at $50, while the Core i5-12400F came in at $174. On launch pricing ($50 vs $174), C-30 was $124 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the C-30 delivers 4.0 pts/$ vs 112.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 186.2% better value option.

Feature	C-30	Core i5-12400F
MSRP	$50-71%	$174
Performance per Dollar	4.0	112.3+2708%
Release Date	2011	2022

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