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 G5905 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 G5905 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 G5905

2020

Why buy it

✅+89% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 610, 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 (4 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, 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: +237.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+350% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Celeron G5905.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (657 vs 1,242).
❌Launch MSRP is still $174 MSRP, while Celeron G5905 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron G5905 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Celeron G5905?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-12400F is ahead with a 237.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G5905 pulls ahead with 89% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i5-12400F also has the bigger cache pool with 350% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 4 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G5905 is the stronger fit. You are getting 89% 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 at an unclear MSRP at $174 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 237.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Celeron G5905 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 89% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Celeron G5905 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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 2020), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, and 350% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 4 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Celeron G5905 vs Core i5-12400F Technical Specifications

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

Celeron G5905

The Celeron G5905 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency: 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 58 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 2,760 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.

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Processing Power

The Celeron G5905 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core i5-12400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-12400F has 4 more cores. The Core i5-12400F is built on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. In PassMark, the Celeron G5905 scores 2,760 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 150.5% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 724 vs 1,700, a 80.5% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,242 vs 657 (61.6% advantage for the Celeron G5905). L3 cache: 4 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Celeron G5905 vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	Celeron G5905	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	—	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+40%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB Intel® Smart Cache	18 MB (total)+350%
L2 Cache	—	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	—	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	2,760	19,532+608%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	724	1,700+135%
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,242+89%	657

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron G5905 uses the LGA1200 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 DDR4-2666 on the Celeron G5905 versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F — the Core i5-12400F supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Celeron G5905) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Celeron G5905) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).

Feature	Celeron G5905	Core i5-12400F
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+80%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G5905) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). The Celeron G5905 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 610), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G5905 targets Budget, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Celeron G5905 rivals Pentium Gold G6405; Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.