Core i3-12100E 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.

Core i3-12100E 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 i3-12100E 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 i3-12100E

2022

Why buy it

✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 730, 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 (13,535 vs 19,532).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 18 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +19.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-12100E.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $174 MSRP, while Core i3-12100E mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-12100E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Core i3-12100E?

Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 19.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 44.3% 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 19.1% 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 44.3% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 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 $174 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 19.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-12100E vs Core i5-12400F Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-12100E

The Core i3-12100E 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 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 60 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 13,535 points. Launch price was $149.

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 i3-12100E 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 4.2 GHz on the Core i3-12100E versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 4.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). Both are built on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture using a 10 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i3-12100E scores 13,535 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 36.3% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,594 vs 1,700, a 6.4% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i3-12100E vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	Core i3-12100E	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz	4.4 GHz+5%
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+28%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	18 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm	Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	13,535	19,532+44%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	1,594	1,700+7%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	657

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 5.0. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,W680,Q670,R680E (Core i3-12100E) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).

Feature	Core i3-12100E	Core i5-12400F
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	20

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Advanced Features

Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. The Core i3-12100E includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 730), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-12100E targets Embedded, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i3-12100E rivals Ryzen Embedded V3000 Series; Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i3-12100E	Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 730	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Embedded	Gaming Performance/Value