Celeron N4020 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 N4020 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 N4020 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 N4020

2019

Why buy it

✅Draws 4W instead of 65W, a 61W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,535 vs 19,532).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1090 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: +464.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+350% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1090 and DDR4.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Celeron N4020.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $174 MSRP, while Celeron N4020 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1525% higher power demand at 65W vs 4W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Celeron N4020?

Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 464.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1172.4% 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 464.7% 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 1172.4% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 350% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 4 MB).

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 at an unclear MSRP at $174 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 464.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2019), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1090, 350% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 4 MB), 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 N4020 vs Core i5-12400F Technical Specifications

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

Celeron N4020

The Celeron N4020 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Gemini Lake Refresh (2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1090. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,535 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.

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Processing Power

The Celeron N4020 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 2.8 GHz on the Celeron N4020 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 44.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 1.1 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Celeron N4020 uses the Gemini Lake Refresh (2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N4020 scores 1,535 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 170.9% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Celeron N4020 vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	Celeron N4020	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz	4.4 GHz+57%
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	2.5 GHz+127%
L3 Cache	4 MB	18 MB (total)+350%
L2 Cache	4 MB+220%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Gemini Lake Refresh (2019)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	1,535	19,532+1172%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,700
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	657

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron N4020 uses the FCBGA1090 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-12400F uses LGA1700 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron N4020	Core i5-12400F
Socket	FCBGA1090	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
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 N4020) / 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.