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.

Core i3-10105F 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.

Core i3-10105F 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.

Core i3-10105F

2021

Why buy it

✅+585.4% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Costs $77 less on MSRP ($97 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 91.9 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($97 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +44.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Delivers 22.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 91.9 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $97 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (657 vs 4,503).
❌
79.4% HIGHER MSRP
$174 MSRPvs$97 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Core i3-10105F?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-12400F is ahead with a 44.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-10105F pulls ahead with 585.4% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i5-12400F also has the bigger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 6 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-10105F is the stronger fit. You are getting 585.4% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 8 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 79.4% more expensive on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $97 MSRP, and it still gives you a 44.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i3-10105F is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 585.4% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 22.2% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 91.9 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Core i3-10105F can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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 2021), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, and 200% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 6 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-10105F vs Core i5-12400F Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-10105F

The Core i3-10105F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 8,912 points. Launch price was $97.

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 Core i3-10105F packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-12400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-12400F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-10105F versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i3-10105F uses the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-10105F scores 8,912 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 74.7% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,461 vs 1,700, a 15.1% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 4,503 vs 657 (149.1% advantage for the Core i3-10105F). L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-10105F vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	Core i3-10105F	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+48%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	18 MB (total)+200%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)+400%
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Comet Lake-R (2021)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	8,912	19,532+119%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	1,461	1,700+16%
Geekbench 6 Multi	4,503+585%	657

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-10105F uses the LGA1200 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 DDR4-2666 on the Core i3-10105F versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F — the Core i5-12400F supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-10105F) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: LGA1200 (Core i3-10105F) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).

Feature	Core i3-10105F	Core i5-12400F
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+80%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-10105F) vs 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	Core i3-10105F	Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Gaming Performance/Value

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-10105F was priced at $97, while the Core i5-12400F came in at $174. On launch pricing ($97 vs $174), Core i3-10105F was $77 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-10105F delivers 91.9 pts/$ vs 112.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 20% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-10105F	Core i5-12400F
MSRP	$97-44%	$174
Performance per Dollar	91.9	112.3+22%
Release Date	2021	2022

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