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 N3010 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 N3010 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 N3010

2016

Why buy it

✅Costs $67 less on MSRP ($107 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
✅Draws 4W instead of 65W, a 61W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 400, 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.
❌Lower PassMark (735 vs 19,532).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.9 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($107 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1170, 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: +1042.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 1534.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 6.9 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $107 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1170 and older memory support.
✅400% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Celeron N3010.

Trade-offs

❌
62.6% HIGHER MSRP
$174 MSRPvs$107 MSRP
❌1525% higher power demand at 65W vs 4W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron N3010 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Celeron N3010?

Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1042.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 2557.4% 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 1042.6% 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 2557.4% 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 $107 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1042.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1534.2% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 6.9 PassMark/$), 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 2016), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1170, and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 2/2. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Celeron N3010 vs Core i5-12400F Technical Specifications

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

Celeron N3010

The Celeron N3010 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Airmont (2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.04 GHz, with boost up to 2.24 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 4 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 735 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 N3010 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 2.24 GHz on the Celeron N3010 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 65.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 1.04 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Celeron N3010 uses the Airmont (2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N3010 scores 735 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 185.5% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Celeron N3010 vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	Celeron N3010	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	2.24 GHz	4.4 GHz+96%
Base Clock	1.04 GHz	2.5 GHz+140%
L3 Cache	0 kB	18 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB	1.25 MB (per core)+25%
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Airmont (2016)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	735	19,532+2557%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,700
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	657

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron N3010 uses the FCBGA1170 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 1600 on the Celeron N3010 versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F — the Core i5-12400F supports 200% 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 8 GB — 1500% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 4 (Celeron N3010) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Braswell (Celeron N3010) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).

Feature	Celeron N3010	Core i5-12400F
Socket	FCBGA1170	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	1600	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+200%
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	128 GB+1500%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	4	20+400%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: true (Celeron N3010) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). The Celeron N3010 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 400), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron N3010 targets Budget Mobile, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Celeron N3010	Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 400	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Budget Mobile	Gaming Performance/Value

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron N3010 was priced at $107, while the Core i5-12400F came in at $174. On launch pricing ($107 vs $174), Celeron N3010 was $67 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron N3010 delivers 6.9 pts/$ vs 112.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 176.9% better value option.

Feature	Celeron N3010	Core i5-12400F
MSRP	$107-39%	$174
Performance per Dollar	6.9	112.3+1528%
Release Date	2016	2022

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