Celeron N3060 vs Core i5-12400F

Celeron N3060

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.48 GHz2016

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Celeron N3060

2 / 2

1,267

0.0%

Celeron 857

Pentium T3400

Pentium Dual-Core E2200

19,532

+1441.6%

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. The Celeron N3060 is positioned at rank #173 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Celeron N3060

#49

Core i9-12900HX

MSRP: $606|Avg: N/A

98%

#161

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

347%

#162

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

342%

#163

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

314%

#164

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

313%

#165

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

310%

#167

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

299%

#168

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

287%

#169

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

286%

#170

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

279%

#173

Celeron N3060

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

100%

#176

Core 2 Duo T9300

MSRP: $316|Avg: $20

99%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-12400F

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

121%

#16

Core Ultra 5 225F

MSRP: $231|Avg: $150

118%

#17

Core Ultra 7 265K

MSRP: $309|Avg: $285

116%

#18

Ryzen 9 3900

MSRP: $499|Avg: $150

115%

#19

Ryzen 5 3600X

MSRP: $249|Avg: $90

113%

#20

Core i7-14700KF

MSRP: $384|Avg: $260

113%

#21

Core i7-14700K

MSRP: $409|Avg: $270

109%

#22

Ryzen 5 4500

MSRP: $129|Avg: $85

106%

#23

Ryzen 5 5600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $115

106%

#24

Celeron G5925

MSRP: $62|Avg: $15

105%

#25

Ryzen 5 7500F

MSRP: $179|Avg: $145

104%

#26

Core Ultra 5 245

MSRP: $319|Avg: $220

103%

#27

Ryzen 7 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $86

102%

#28

Core Ultra 7 265KF

MSRP: $379|Avg: $323

102%

#29

Core Ultra 7 265F

MSRP: $369|Avg: $276

100%

#30

Core i5-12400F

MSRP: $174|Avg: $110

100%

#31

Ryzen 3 PRO 5355G

MSRP: $130|Avg: $80

99%

#32

Ryzen 7 2700X

MSRP: $329|Avg: $100

98%

#33

Core i3-10100F

MSRP: $88|Avg: $50

98%

#34

Ryzen 5 7400F

MSRP: $150|Avg: $147

98%

#35

Ryzen 5 9600X

MSRP: $279|Avg: $178

95%

#36

Ryzen 7 3800X

MSRP: $399|Avg: $140

93%

#37

Ryzen 3 5300G

MSRP: $130|Avg: $80

92%

#38

Ryzen 9 7900X

MSRP: $549|Avg: $316

91%

#39

Ryzen 5 5600X

MSRP: $299|Avg: $135

91%

#40

Core i5-14600KF

MSRP: $304|Avg: $239

91%

#41

Ryzen 7 5800

MSRP: $349|Avg: $160

91%

#42

Core i3-14100F

MSRP: $109|Avg: $96

90%

#43

Ryzen 7 3700X

MSRP: $329|Avg: $140

90%

#44

Ryzen 5 7600X

MSRP: $299|Avg: $178

90%

#45

Ryzen 3 3100

MSRP: $99|Avg: $75

90%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i5-12400F (2022) utilizes Intel 7 nm technology and DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Celeron N3060	Core i5-12400F
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($107)	⚠️ Higher cost ($110)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Braswell (2015−2016) / 14 nm)	✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Celeron N3060 (2016) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Celeron N3060	Core i5-12400F
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+1400%)
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($107)	⚠️ Higher cost ($110)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Celeron N3060 Benchmark Check

Core i5-12400F Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Celeron N3060 and Core i5-12400F

Celeron N3060

The Celeron N3060 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Braswell (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.48 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,267 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.

⚡

Processing Power

The Celeron N3060 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 2.48 GHz on the Celeron N3060 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 55.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Celeron N3060 uses the Braswell (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N3060 scores 1,267 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 175.6% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Celeron N3060 vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	Celeron N3060	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	2.48 GHz	4.4 GHz+77%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2.5 GHz+56%
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	Braswell (2015−2016)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	1,267	19,532+1442%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,700
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	657

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron N3060 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 N3060 versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F — the Celeron N3060 supports 198.8% 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 — 176.5% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 4 (Celeron N3060) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: FCBGA1170 (Celeron N3060) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).

Feature	Celeron N3060	Core i5-12400F
Socket	FCBGA1170	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	1600+31900%	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	8	128 GB+1677721500%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	4	20+400%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: true (Celeron N3060) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). The Celeron N3060 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 400), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Celeron N3060 rivals AMD E2-9010; Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.