Celeron G460 vs Core i5-12400F

Intel

Celeron G460

1 Cores2 Thrd35 WWMax: 1.8 GHz2011
VS
Intel

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
Core family
·······

Celeron G460 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 G460 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 G460 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 G460

2011

Why buy it

  • Costs $137 less on MSRP ($37 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
  • Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge), 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 (1,145 vs 19,532).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (1.5 MB vs 18 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 30.9 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($37 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
  • Older platform position on LGA1155, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +629.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +1100% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 1.5 MB).
  • Delivers 262.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 30.9 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $37 MSRP).
  • Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1155 and older memory support.
  • 25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • 370.3% HIGHER MSRP
    $174 MSRPvs$37 MSRP
  • 85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Celeron G460 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Celeron G460?
Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 629.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1605.9% 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 629.8% 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 1605.9% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 1100% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 1.5 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 370.3% more expensive on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $37 MSRP, and it still gives you a 629.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 262.7% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 30.9 PassMark/$), 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 LGA1155, 1100% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 1.5 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 1/2. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Celeron G460 vs Core i5-12400F Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Celeron G460

The Celeron G460 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 December 2011 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 1 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 1.5 MB. L2 cache: 256 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,145 points. Launch price was $65.

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 G460 packs 1 cores / 2 threads, while the Core i5-12400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-12400F has 5 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.8 GHz on the Celeron G460 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 83.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 1.8 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Celeron G460 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G460 scores 1,145 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 177.8% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 300 vs 1,700, a 140% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 1.5 MB on the Celeron G460 vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

FeatureCeleron G460Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads
1 / 2
6 / 12+500%
Boost Clock
1.8 GHz
4.4 GHz+144%
Base Clock
1.8 GHz
2.5 GHz+39%
L3 Cache
1.5 MB
18 MB (total)+1100%
L2 Cache
256 kB
1.25 MB (per core)+400%
Process
32 nm
Intel 7 nm-78%
Architecture
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark
1,145
19,532+1606%
Cinebench R23 Multi
12,380
Geekbench 6 Single
300
1,700+467%
Geekbench 6 Multi
657
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron G460 uses the LGA1155 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 Celeron G460 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 32 GB 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Celeron G460) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H61,B65,H67,Z68 (Celeron G460) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).

FeatureCeleron G460Core i5-12400F
Socket
LGA1155
LGA1700
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1066
DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+350%
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
128 GB+300%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
16
20+25%
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G460) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). The Celeron G460 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G460 targets Budget, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Celeron G460 rivals Pentium G630; Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

FeatureCeleron G460Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)
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 G460 was priced at $37, while the Core i5-12400F came in at $174. On launch pricing ($37 vs $174), Celeron G460 was $137 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G460 delivers 30.9 pts/$ vs 112.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 113.6% better value option.

FeatureCeleron G460Core i5-12400F
MSRP
$37-79%
$174
Performance per Dollar
30.9
112.3+263%
Release Date
2011
2022

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