Celeron G1840 vs Core i5-12400F

Intel

Celeron G1840

2 Cores2 Thrd50 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2014
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
Core family
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Celeron G1840 vs Core i5-12400F Performance Spectrum

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 G1840 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 G1840 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 G1840

2014

Why buy it

  • +26.6% higher Geekbench multi-core.
  • Costs $139 less on MSRP ($35 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
  • Draws 50W instead of 65W, a 15W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics (Haswell), 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 (3 MB vs 18 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 51.0 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($35 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
  • Older platform position on LGA1150, 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: +377.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +500% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 3 MB).
  • Delivers 120.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 51.0 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $35 MSRP).
  • Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1150 and older memory support.
  • 25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Geekbench multi-core (657 vs 832).
  • 397.1% HIGHER MSRP
    $174 MSRPvs$35 MSRP
  • 30% higher power demand at 65W vs 50W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Celeron G1840 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Celeron G1840?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-12400F is ahead with a 377.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G1840 pulls ahead with 26.6% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i5-12400F also has the bigger cache pool with 500% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 3 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G1840 is the stronger fit. You are getting 26.6% 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 397.1% more expensive on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $35 MSRP, and it still gives you a 377.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Celeron G1840 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 26.6% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 120.2% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 51.0 PassMark/$), 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 2014), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1150, and 500% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 3 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Celeron G1840 vs Core i5-12400F Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Celeron G1840

The Celeron G1840 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 53 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,784 points. Launch price was $53.

Intel

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 Celeron G1840 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 2.8 GHz on the Celeron G1840 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 44.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Celeron G1840 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G1840 scores 1,784 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 166.5% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 488 vs 1,700, a 110.8% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 832 vs 657 (23.5% advantage for the Celeron G1840). L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Celeron G1840 vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

FeatureCeleron G1840Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock
2.8 GHz
4.4 GHz+57%
Base Clock
2.8 GHz+12%
2.5 GHz
L3 Cache
3 MB (total)
18 MB (total)+500%
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
1.25 MB (per core)+400%
Process
22 nm
Intel 7 nm-68%
Architecture
Haswell (2013−2015)
Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark
1,784
19,532+995%
Cinebench R23 Multi
12,380
Geekbench 6 Single
488
1,700+248%
Geekbench 6 Multi
832+27%
657
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron G1840 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), 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 G1840 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 32 GB 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Celeron G1840) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H81,B85,H87,Z87,H97,Z97 (Celeron G1840) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).

FeatureCeleron G1840Core i5-12400F
Socket
LGA1150
LGA1700
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1333
DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+260%
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
128 GB+300%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
Yes
No
PCIe Lanes
16
20+25%
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G1840) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). The Celeron G1840 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Haswell)), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G1840 targets Budget, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Celeron G1840 rivals Pentium G3240; Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

FeatureCeleron G1840Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
HD Graphics (Haswell)
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Budget
Gaming Performance/Value
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G1840 was priced at $35, while the Core i5-12400F came in at $174. On launch pricing ($35 vs $174), Celeron G1840 was $139 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G1840 delivers 51.0 pts/$ vs 112.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 75.1% better value option.

FeatureCeleron G1840Core i5-12400F
MSRP
$35-80%
$174
Performance per Dollar
51.0
112.3+120%
Release Date
2014
2022

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