Celeron M 743 vs Core i5-12400F

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 M 743 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 M 743 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 M 743

2009

Why buy it

✅Costs $67 less on MSRP ($107 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
✅Draws 1W instead of 65W, a 64W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,324 vs 19,532).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.4 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($107 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on BGA965, 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: +536.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 807.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 12.4 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $107 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of BGA965 and older memory support.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Celeron M 743.

Trade-offs

❌
62.6% HIGHER MSRP
$174 MSRPvs$107 MSRP
❌6400% higher power demand at 65W vs 1W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Celeron M 743?

Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 536.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1375.2% 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 536.3% 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 1375.2% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 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 62.6% more expensive on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $107 MSRP, and it still gives you a 536.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 807.2% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 12.4 PassMark/$), 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 2009), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of BGA965, and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 1/1. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Celeron M 743 vs Core i5-12400F Technical Specifications

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

Celeron M 743

The Celeron M 743 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 1.3 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA965. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,324 points. Launch price was $107.

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 M 743 packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Core i5-12400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-12400F has 5 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.3 GHz on the Celeron M 743 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 108.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F. The Celeron M 743 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron M 743 scores 1,324 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 174.6% lead for the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	Celeron M 743	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	1 / 1	6 / 12+500%
Boost Clock	1.3 GHz	4.4 GHz+238%
Base Clock	—	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	—	18 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB	1.25 MB (per core)+25%
Process	45 nm	Intel 7 nm-84%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	1,324	19,532+1375%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,700
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	657

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron M 743 uses the BGA965 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i5-12400F uses LGA1700 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron M 743	Core i5-12400F
Socket	BGA965	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	20

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Celeron M 743) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Celeron M 743	Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Gaming Performance/Value

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron M 743 was priced at $107, while the Core i5-12400F came in at $174. On launch pricing ($107 vs $174), Celeron M 743 was $67 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron M 743 delivers 12.4 pts/$ vs 112.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 160.3% better value option.

Feature	Celeron M 743	Core i5-12400F
MSRP	$107-39%	$174
Performance per Dollar	12.4	112.3+806%
Release Date	2009	2022

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