Core i3-14100F vs Core i5-12400T

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 i5-12400T 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 i5-12400T: 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 $83 less on MSRP ($109 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
✅Delivers 74.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 141.1 vs 81.0 PassMark/$ ($109 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (15,381 vs 15,543).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 18 MB).
❌65.7% higher power demand at 58W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-12400T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400T.

Core i5-12400T

2022

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 58W, a 23W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 730, while Core i3-14100F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 81.0 vs 141.1 PassMark/$ ($192 MSRP vs $109 MSRP).

Quick Answers

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

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-14100F is ahead with a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12400T pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark. Core i5-12400T also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12400T is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% 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 i3-14100F is the better buy right now. Core i3-14100F comes in $83 cheaper on MSRP at $109 MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-12400T is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.1% better PassMark. It is also 74.3% better value on MSRP (141.1 vs 81.0 PassMark/$), 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 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 i5-12400T 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 i5-12400T

The Core i5-12400T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 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): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 15,543 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-14100F packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-12400T offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-12400T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i3-14100F versus 4.2 GHz on the Core i5-12400T — a 11.2% clock advantage for the Core i3-14100F (base: 3.5 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core i3-14100F uses the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-12400T uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-14100F scores 15,381 against the Core i5-12400T's 15,543 — a 1% lead for the Core i5-12400T. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i3-14100F vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400T.

Feature	Core i3-14100F	Core i5-12400T
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz+12%	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+94%	1.8 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	15,543+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,650
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	7,800

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 5.0.

Feature	Core i3-14100F	Core i5-12400T
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR5-4800
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 i5-12400T). The Core i5-12400T includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 730), while the Core i3-14100F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400T targets Office/Home Desktop.

Feature	Core i3-14100F	Core i5-12400T
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel UHD Graphics 730
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Office/Home Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-14100F was priced at $109, while the Core i5-12400T came in at $192. On launch pricing ($109 vs $192), Core i3-14100F was $83 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-14100F delivers 141.1 pts/$ vs 81.0 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400T — making the Core i3-14100F the 54.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-14100F	Core i5-12400T
MSRP	$109-43%	$192
Performance per Dollar	141.1+74%	81.0
Release Date	2024	2022

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