Core i3-1220P vs Core i5-12400F
Core i3-1220P
Core i5-12400F
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-1220P
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-12400F
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-1220P | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($150) | ✅ More affordable ($110) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-P (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-1220P | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+84%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($150) | ✅ More affordable ($110) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-1220P and Core i5-12400F
Core i3-1220P
The Core i3-1220P is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 February 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-P (2022) architecture. It features 10 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 14,496 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.
Processing Power
The Core i3-1220P packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-12400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i3-1220P has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-1220P versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — identical boost frequencies (base: 1.5 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i3-1220P uses the Alder Lake-P (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-1220P scores 14,496 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 29.6% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 10,921 vs 12,380 (12.5% advantage for the Core i5-12400F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,971 vs 1,700, a 14.8% lead for the Core i3-1220P that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 8,056 vs 657 (169.8% advantage for the Core i3-1220P). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i3-1220P vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.
| Feature | Core i3-1220P | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 10 / 12+67% | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz | 4.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 1.5 GHz | 2.5 GHz+67% |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total) | 18 MB (total)+50% |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |
| Process | Intel 7 nm | Intel 7 nm |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-P (2022) | Alder Lake-S (2022) |
| PassMark | 14,496 | 19,532+35% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 10,921 | 12,380+13% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,971+16% | 1,700 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 8,056+1126% | 657 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-1220P uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-12400F uses LGA1700 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. The Core i5-12400F supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel 600 series (Core i3-1220P) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).
| Feature | Core i3-1220P | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1744 | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+67% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800 | DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | 128 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 20 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-1220P) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). The Core i3-1220P includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 64EU), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-1220P targets Workstation, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i3-1220P rivals Ryzen 3 5425U; Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.
| Feature | Core i3-1220P | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 64EU | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Workstation | Gaming Performance/Value |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-1220P launched at $250 MSRP, while the Core i5-12400F debuted at $174. At current prices ($150 vs $110), the Core i5-12400F is $40 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-1220P delivers 96.6 pts/$ vs 177.6 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 59% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-1220P | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $250 | $174-30% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $150 | $110-27% |
| Performance per Dollar | 96.6 | 177.6+84% |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2022 |
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