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 G6900E 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 G6900E 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 G6900E

2022

Why buy it

✅+300.5% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Costs $121 less on MSRP ($53 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
✅Draws 46W instead of 65W, a 19W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 710, 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 80.6 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($53 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +154.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+350% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Delivers 39.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 80.6 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $53 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Celeron G6900E.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (657 vs 2,631).
❌
228.3% HIGHER MSRP
$174 MSRPvs$53 MSRP
❌41.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 46W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron G6900E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Celeron G6900E?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-12400F is ahead with a 154.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G6900E pulls ahead with 300.5% 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 G6900E is the stronger fit. You are getting 300.5% 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 228.3% more expensive on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $53 MSRP, and it still gives you a 154.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Celeron G6900E is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 300.5% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 39.3% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 80.6 PassMark/$), 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 is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Celeron G6900E vs Core i5-12400F Technical Specifications

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

Celeron G6900E

The Celeron G6900E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 46 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 4,272 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.

⚡

Processing Power

The Celeron G6900E 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 3 GHz on the Celeron G6900E versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 37.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 3 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). Both are built on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture using a 10 nm process. In PassMark, the Celeron G6900E scores 4,272 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 128.2% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,563 vs 1,700, a 8.4% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,631 vs 657 (120.1% advantage for the Celeron G6900E). L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Celeron G6900E vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	Celeron G6900E	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	3 GHz	4.4 GHz+47%
Base Clock	3 GHz+20%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	18 MB (total)+350%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm	Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	4,272	19,532+357%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	1,563	1,700+9%
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,631+300%	657

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 5.0. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Celeron G6900E) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).

Feature	Celeron G6900E	Core i5-12400F
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G6900E) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). The Celeron G6900E includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 710), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G6900E targets Budget, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Celeron G6900E rivals Pentium Gold G7400; Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Celeron G6900E	Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 710	—
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 G6900E was priced at $53, while the Core i5-12400F came in at $174. On launch pricing ($53 vs $174), Celeron G6900E was $121 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G6900E delivers 80.6 pts/$ vs 112.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 32.8% better value option.

Feature	Celeron G6900E	Core i5-12400F
MSRP	$53-70%	$174
Performance per Dollar	80.6	112.3+39%
Release Date	2022	2022

Search Celeron G6900E 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.