Core i3-14100F 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 i3-14100F 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 i3-14100F 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 i3-14100F

2024

Why buy it

✅Costs $65 less on MSRP ($109 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
✅Delivers 25.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 141.1 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($109 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (15,381 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: +11.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-14100F.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 112.3 vs 141.1 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $109 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Core i3-14100F?

Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 11.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 27% better PassMark, 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 11.2% 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 27% 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 still the faster CPU overall, but Core i3-14100F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-12400F comes in 59.6% more expensive on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $109 MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-14100F is also 25.7% better value on MSRP (141.1 vs 112.3 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-14100F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2022). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-14100F vs Core i5-12400F Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-14100F

The Core i3-14100F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 58 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 15,381 points. Launch price was $109.

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 i3-14100F 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 4.7 GHz on the Core i3-14100F versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 6.6% clock advantage for the Core i3-14100F (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i3-14100F uses the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-14100F scores 15,381 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 23.8% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i3-14100F vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	Core i3-14100F	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz+7%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+40%	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	Intel 7 nm	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	15,381	19,532+27%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,700
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	657

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 5.0.

Feature	Core i3-14100F	Core i5-12400F
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	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 (Core i3-14100F) / 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 i3-14100F	Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Gaming Performance/Value

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-14100F was priced at $109, while the Core i5-12400F came in at $174. On launch pricing ($109 vs $174), Core i3-14100F was $65 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-14100F delivers 141.1 pts/$ vs 112.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i3-14100F the 22.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-14100F	Core i5-12400F
MSRP	$109-37%	$174
Performance per Dollar	141.1+26%	112.3
Release Date	2024	2022

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