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.

Celeron 6305 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.

Celeron 6305 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.

Celeron 6305

2020

Why buy it

✅+88.1% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Costs $67 less on MSRP ($107 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
✅Draws 3W instead of 65W, a 63W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics for 11th Gen, 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.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.4 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($107 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1449 with DDR4, 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: +322.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+350% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Delivers 478.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 19.4 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $107 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1449 and DDR4.
✅400% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (657 vs 1,236).
❌
62.6% HIGHER MSRP
$174 MSRPvs$107 MSRP
❌2500% higher power demand at 65W vs 2.5W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron 6305 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Celeron 6305?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-12400F is ahead with a 322.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron 6305 pulls ahead with 88.1% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i5-12400F also has the bigger cache pool with 350% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron 6305 is the stronger fit. You are getting 88.1% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 2 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 62.6% more expensive on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $107 MSRP, and it still gives you a 322.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Celeron 6305 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 88.1% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 478.3% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 19.4 PassMark/$), 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 2020), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1449, and 350% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 4 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Celeron 6305 vs Core i5-12400F Technical Specifications

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

Celeron 6305

The Celeron 6305 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 2.5 MB. Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1449. Thermal design power (TDP): 2.5 MB + 4 MB. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,077 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 Celeron 6305 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 1.8 GHz on the Celeron 6305 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 83.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F. The Celeron 6305 uses the Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 6305 scores 2,077 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 161.6% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 744 vs 1,700, a 78.2% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,236 vs 657 (61.2% advantage for the Celeron 6305). L3 cache: 4 MB on the Celeron 6305 vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	Celeron 6305	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	1.8 GHz	4.4 GHz+144%
Base Clock	—	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB	18 MB (total)+350%
L2 Cache	2.5 MB+100%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm SuperFin	Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture	Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	2,077	19,532+840%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	744	1,700+128%
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,236+88%	657

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron 6305 uses the FCBGA1449 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i5-12400F uses LGA1700 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Celeron 6305 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 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 4 (Celeron 6305) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Tiger Lake-U (Celeron 6305) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).

Feature	Celeron 6305	Core i5-12400F
Socket	FCBGA1449	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+50%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	4	20+400%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Celeron 6305) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). The Celeron 6305 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics for 11th Gen), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 6305 targets Budget, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Celeron 6305 rivals Pentium Gold 7505; Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Celeron 6305	Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics for 11th Gen	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Budget	Gaming Performance/Value

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron 6305 was priced at $107, while the Core i5-12400F came in at $174. On launch pricing ($107 vs $174), Celeron 6305 was $67 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron 6305 delivers 19.4 pts/$ vs 112.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 141% better value option.

Feature	Celeron 6305	Core i5-12400F
MSRP	$107-39%	$174
Performance per Dollar	19.4	112.3+479%
Release Date	2020	2022

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