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 G3900E 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 G3900E 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 G3900E

2016

Why buy it

✅+44.3% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Costs $67 less on MSRP ($107 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 510, 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 (2 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.0 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($107 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +331.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+800% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Delivers 490.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 19.0 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $107 MSRP).
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Celeron G3900E.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (657 vs 948).
❌
62.6% HIGHER MSRP
$174 MSRPvs$107 MSRP
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron G3900E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Celeron G3900E?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-12400F is ahead with a 331.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G3900E pulls ahead with 44.3% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i5-12400F also has the bigger cache pool with 800% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 2 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G3900E is the stronger fit. You are getting 44.3% 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 $107 MSRP, and it still gives you a 331.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Celeron G3900E is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 44.3% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 490.5% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 19.0 PassMark/$), 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 2016), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of the older platform, and 800% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 2 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Celeron G3900E vs Core i5-12400F Technical Specifications

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

Celeron G3900E

The Celeron G3900E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 2,034 points. Launch price was $107.

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 G3900E 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 2.4 GHz on the Celeron G3900E versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 58.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F. The Celeron G3900E uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G3900E scores 2,034 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 162.3% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 699 vs 1,700, a 83.5% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 948 vs 657 (36.3% advantage for the Celeron G3900E). L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron G3900E vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	Celeron G3900E	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	4.4 GHz+83%
Base Clock	—	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB	18 MB (total)+800%
L2 Cache	512 kB	1.25 MB (per core)+150%
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	2,034	19,532+860%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	699	1,700+143%
Geekbench 6 Multi	948+44%	657

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Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Celeron G3900E versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F — the Core i5-12400F supports 125% 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: 16 (Celeron G3900E) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H110,B150,H170,Z170 (Celeron G3900E) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).

Feature	Celeron G3900E	Core i5-12400F
Socket	—	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+125%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G3900E) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). The Celeron G3900E includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 510), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G3900E targets Budget, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Celeron G3900E rivals Pentium G4400; Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Celeron G3900E	Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 510	—
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 G3900E was priced at $107, while the Core i5-12400F came in at $174. On launch pricing ($107 vs $174), Celeron G3900E was $67 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G3900E delivers 19.0 pts/$ vs 112.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 142.1% better value option.

Feature	Celeron G3900E	Core i5-12400F
MSRP	$107-39%	$174
Performance per Dollar	19.0	112.3+491%
Release Date	2016	2022

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