Core i3-3210 vs Core i5-12400F

Core i3-3210

2 Cores4 Thrd55 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2013

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-3210

2 / 4

2,229

0.0%

19,532

+776.3%

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. The Core i3-3210 is positioned at rank #814 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-3210

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

16363%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

15461%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

11226%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

3382%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

2679%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

2344%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

1342%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

1325%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1206%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1206%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1193%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1160%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1144%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1140%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

1129%

#814

Core i3-3210

MSRP: $117|Avg: $25

100%

#815

Celeron G3900E

MSRP: $107|Avg: $35

100%

#816

Athlon II X3 435

MSRP: $87|Avg: $15

99%

#817

Core i7-6822EQ

MSRP: $294|Avg: $190

99%

#818

Athlon II X4 645

MSRP: $126|Avg: $20

99%

#819

Core i5-7400

MSRP: $294|Avg: $70

98%

#820

Pentium E5800

MSRP: $64|Avg: $15

98%

#821

Core i7-6820EQ

MSRP: $378|Avg: $344

98%

#822

A6-9500

MSRP: $101|Avg: $25

97%

#823

Pentium G2120T

MSRP: $87|Avg: $10

97%

#824

Athlon II X2 270

MSRP: $72|Avg: $15

97%

#826

Core i7-6850K

MSRP: $617|Avg: $80

97%

#827

Core i5-2500K

MSRP: $225|Avg: $35

97%

#828

Pentium G3430

MSRP: $116|Avg: $30

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-12400F

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

121%

#16

Core Ultra 5 225F

MSRP: $231|Avg: $150

118%

#17

Core Ultra 7 265K

MSRP: $309|Avg: $285

116%

#18

Ryzen 9 3900

MSRP: $499|Avg: $150

115%

#19

Ryzen 5 3600X

MSRP: $249|Avg: $90

113%

#20

Core i7-14700KF

MSRP: $384|Avg: $260

113%

#21

Core i7-14700K

MSRP: $409|Avg: $270

109%

#22

Ryzen 5 4500

MSRP: $129|Avg: $85

106%

#23

Ryzen 5 5600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $115

106%

#24

Celeron G5925

MSRP: $62|Avg: $15

105%

#25

Ryzen 5 7500F

MSRP: $179|Avg: $145

104%

#26

Core Ultra 5 245

MSRP: $319|Avg: $220

103%

#27

Ryzen 7 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $86

102%

#28

Core Ultra 7 265KF

MSRP: $379|Avg: $323

102%

#29

Core Ultra 7 265F

MSRP: $369|Avg: $276

100%

#30

Core i5-12400F

MSRP: $174|Avg: $110

100%

#31

Ryzen 3 PRO 5355G

MSRP: $130|Avg: $80

99%

#32

Ryzen 7 2700X

MSRP: $329|Avg: $100

98%

#33

Core i3-10100F

MSRP: $88|Avg: $50

98%

#34

Ryzen 5 7400F

MSRP: $150|Avg: $147

98%

#35

Ryzen 5 9600X

MSRP: $279|Avg: $178

95%

#36

Ryzen 7 3800X

MSRP: $399|Avg: $140

93%

#37

Ryzen 3 5300G

MSRP: $130|Avg: $80

92%

#38

Ryzen 9 7900X

MSRP: $549|Avg: $316

91%

#39

Ryzen 5 5600X

MSRP: $299|Avg: $135

91%

#40

Core i5-14600KF

MSRP: $304|Avg: $239

91%

#41

Ryzen 7 5800

MSRP: $349|Avg: $160

91%

#42

Core i3-14100F

MSRP: $109|Avg: $96

90%

#43

Ryzen 7 3700X

MSRP: $329|Avg: $140

90%

#44

Ryzen 5 7600X

MSRP: $299|Avg: $178

90%

#45

Ryzen 3 3100

MSRP: $99|Avg: $75

90%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i5-12400F (2022) utilizes Intel 7 nm technology and DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i3-3210	Core i5-12400F
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($25)	⚠️ Higher cost ($110)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i3-3210 (2013) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i3-3210	Core i5-12400F
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+99%)
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($25)	⚠️ Higher cost ($110)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i3-3210 Benchmark Check

Core i5-12400F Benchmark Check

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-3210 and Core i5-12400F

Core i3-3210

The Core i3-3210 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3072 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,229 points. Launch price was $120.

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 i3-3210 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-12400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-12400F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i3-3210 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 31.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i3-3210 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3210 scores 2,229 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 159% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 505 vs 1,700, a 108.4% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,113 vs 657 (51.5% advantage for the Core i3-3210). L3 cache: 3072 kB (total) on the Core i3-3210 vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	Core i3-3210	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	4.4 GHz+38%
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+28%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	3072 kB (total)	18 MB (total)+500%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)+400%
Process	22 nm	Intel 7 nm-68%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	2,229	19,532+776%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	505	1,700+237%
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,113+69%	657

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-3210 uses the LGA1155 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 DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-3210 versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F — the Core i5-12400F supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-12400F supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-3210) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: B75,H77 (Core i3-3210) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).

Feature	Core i3-3210	Core i5-12400F
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+67%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	128 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	✅	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x (Core i3-3210) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). The Core i3-3210 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2500), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3210 targets Budget, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i3-3210 rivals Ryzen 3 1200; Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i3-3210	Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 2500	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Budget	Gaming Performance/Value

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i3-3210 launched at $117 MSRP, while the Core i5-12400F debuted at $174. At current prices ($25 vs $110), the Core i3-3210 is $85 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-3210 delivers 89.2 pts/$ vs 177.6 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 66.3% better value option.