Celeron 900 vs Core i5-12400F

CPU

GPU

Celeron 900

35 WW2009

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Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

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Celeron 900 vs Core i5-12400F Performance Spectrum

Celeron 900

485

0.0%

19,532

+3927.2%

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.

Celeron 900 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 900 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 900

2009

Why buy it

✅Costs $88 less on MSRP ($86 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (229 vs 657).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (1 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.6 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on PGA478, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +1605.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+1700% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 1 MB).
✅Delivers 1890.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 5.6 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of PGA478 and older memory support.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
102.3% HIGHER MSRP
$174 MSRPvs$86 MSRP
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Celeron 900?

Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1605.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 186.9% better Geekbench multi-core, 3927.2% higher 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 1605.4% 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 186.9% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 1700% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 1 MB).

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 102.3% more expensive on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $86 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1605.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1890.5% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 5.6 PassMark/$), 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 2009), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of PGA478, and 1700% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 1 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Celeron 900 vs Core i5-12400F Technical Specifications

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

Celeron 900

The Celeron 900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. Base frequency: 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 1 MB L2 Cache. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 485 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.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F is built on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. In PassMark, the Celeron 900 scores 485 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 190.3% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 220 vs 1,700, a 154.2% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 229 vs 657 (96.6% advantage for the Core i5-12400F). L3 cache: 1 MB L2 Cache on the Celeron 900 vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	Celeron 900	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	—	6 / 12
Boost Clock	—	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.5 GHz+14%
L3 Cache	1 MB L2 Cache	18 MB (total)+1700%
L2 Cache	—	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	45 nm	Intel 7 nm-84%
Architecture	—	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	485	19,532+3927%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	220	1,700+673%
Geekbench 6 Multi	229	657+187%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron 900 uses the PGA478 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 DDR3-1333 on the Celeron 900 versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F — the Core i5-12400F supports 260.1% 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 (Celeron 900) vs 2 (Core i5-12400F). PCIe lanes: 0 (Celeron 900) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: GL40,GM45 (Celeron 900) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).

Feature	Celeron 900	Core i5-12400F
Socket	PGA478	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+260%
Max RAM Capacity	4 GB	128 GB+3100%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: No (Celeron 900) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). Primary use case: Celeron 900 targets Budget, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Celeron 900 rivals Pentium 4 2.80; Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Celeron 900	Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	No	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Budget	Gaming Performance/Value

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron 900 was priced at $86, while the Core i5-12400F came in at $174. On launch pricing ($86 vs $174), Celeron 900 was $88 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron 900 delivers 5.6 pts/$ vs 112.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 180.9% better value option.

Feature	Celeron 900	Core i5-12400F
MSRP	$86-51%	$174
Performance per Dollar	5.6	112.3+1905%
Release Date	2009	2022

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