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 G555 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 G555 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 G555

2012

Why buy it

✅+12.9% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Costs $122 less on MSRP ($52 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel 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.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 27.4 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($52 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: +491.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+800% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Delivers 309.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 27.4 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $52 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

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (657 vs 742).
❌
234.6% HIGHER MSRP
$174 MSRPvs$52 MSRP
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron G555 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Celeron G555?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-12400F is ahead with a 491.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G555 pulls ahead with 12.9% 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 G555 is the stronger fit. You are getting 12.9% 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 234.6% more expensive on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $52 MSRP, and it still gives you a 491.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Celeron G555 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 12.9% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 309.1% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 27.4 PassMark/$), 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 2012), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1155, 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 G555 vs Core i5-12400F Technical Specifications

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

Celeron G555

The Celeron G555 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,427 points. Launch price was $89.

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 G555 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 2.7 GHz on the Celeron G555 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 47.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Celeron G555 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 G555 scores 1,427 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 172.8% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 398 vs 1,700, a 124.1% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 742 vs 657 (12.2% advantage for the Celeron G555). L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron G555 vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	Celeron G555	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz	4.4 GHz+63%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+8%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	18 MB (total)+800%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)+400%
Process	32 nm	Intel 7 nm-78%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	1,427	19,532+1269%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	398	1,700+327%
Geekbench 6 Multi	742+13%	657

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron G555 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 DDR3-1333 on the Celeron G555 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 G555) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H61,H67,P67,Z68,B75,Z77 (Celeron G555) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).

Feature	Celeron G555	Core i5-12400F
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+260%
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 G555) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). The Celeron G555 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G555 targets Desktop, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Celeron G555 rivals Pentium G630; Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Celeron G555	Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Desktop	Gaming Performance/Value

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G555 was priced at $52, while the Core i5-12400F came in at $174. On launch pricing ($52 vs $174), Celeron G555 was $122 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G555 delivers 27.4 pts/$ vs 112.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 121.4% better value option.

Feature	Celeron G555	Core i5-12400F
MSRP	$52-70%	$174
Performance per Dollar	27.4	112.3+310%
Release Date	2012	2022

Search Celeron G555 on Amazon

Search Core i5-12400F on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.