Celeron G5905T vs Core i5-12400F

Intel

Celeron G5905T

2 Cores2 Thrd35 WW2020
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 G5905T 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 G5905T 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 G5905T 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 G5905T

2020

Why buy it

  • +14.2% higher Geekbench multi-core.
  • Costs $124 less on MSRP ($50 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
  • Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
  • 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).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 47.1 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($50 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
  • 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: +279.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +350% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 4 MB).
  • Delivers 138.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 47.1 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $50 MSRP).
  • 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.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Geekbench multi-core (657 vs 750).
  • 248% HIGHER MSRP
    $174 MSRPvs$50 MSRP
  • 85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Celeron G5905T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Celeron G5905T?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-12400F is ahead with a 279.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G5905T pulls ahead with 14.2% 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 G5905T is the stronger fit. You are getting 14.2% 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 248.0% more expensive on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $50 MSRP, and it still gives you a 279.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Celeron G5905T is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 14.2% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 138.2% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 47.1 PassMark/$), 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 G5905T 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 G5905T vs Core i5-12400F Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Celeron G5905T

The Celeron G5905T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency: 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 2,356 points. Launch price was $69.

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 G5905T 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 G5905T scores 2,356 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 156.9% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 748 vs 1,700, a 77.8% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 750 vs 657 (13.2% advantage for the Celeron G5905T). L3 cache: 4 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Celeron G5905T vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

FeatureCeleron G5905TCore i5-12400F
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz
Base Clock
3.3 GHz+32%
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
2,356
19,532+729%
Cinebench R23 Multi
12,380
Geekbench 6 Single
748
1,700+127%
Geekbench 6 Multi
750+14%
657
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron G5905T 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 G5905T 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 G5905T) 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 G5905T) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).

FeatureCeleron G5905TCore 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%
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G5905T) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). The Celeron G5905T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 610), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G5905T targets Budget, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Celeron G5905T rivals Pentium Gold G6405T; Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

FeatureCeleron G5905TCore i5-12400F
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 610
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 G5905T was priced at $50, while the Core i5-12400F came in at $174. On launch pricing ($50 vs $174), Celeron G5905T was $124 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G5905T delivers 47.1 pts/$ vs 112.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 81.7% better value option.

FeatureCeleron G5905TCore i5-12400F
MSRP
$50-71%
$174
Performance per Dollar
47.1
112.3+138%
Release Date
2020
2022

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