Core i3-3217UE
VS
Core i5-12400F

Core i3-3217UE vs Core i5-12400F

Intel

Core i3-3217UE

2 Cores4 Thrd17 WWMax: 1.6 GHz2012
VS
Intel

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

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. The Core i3-3217UE is positioned at rank #1187 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 i3-3217UE

#1175
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
4850%
#1176
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
4779%
#1177
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
4387%
#1178
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
4367%
#1179
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
4327%
#1181
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
4179%
#1182
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
4007%
#1183
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
4000%
#1184
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
3893%
#1187
Core i3-3217UE
MSRP: $225|Avg: $35
100%
#1188
Celeron T3000
MSRP: $150|Avg: $54
100%
#1189
Core m7-6Y75
MSRP: $393|Avg: $393
99%
#1190
Core M-5Y10
MSRP: $281|Avg: $20
97%
#1193
Celeron 900
MSRP: $86|Avg: $5
93%
#1194
Pentium T3400
MSRP: $150|Avg: $90
93%
#1195
Core 2 Solo SU3500
MSRP: $262|Avg: $15
93%
#1196
Core 2 Duo E8335
MSRP: $200|Avg: $50
90%
#1199
Celeron 560
MSRP: $89|Avg: $5
88%
#1200
Core i3-2312M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
87%
#1201
Celeron 857
MSRP: $134|Avg: $10
87%
#1202
Celeron 925
MSRP: $100|Avg: $100
87%
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.
InsightCore i3-3217UECore i5-12400F
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
More affordable ($35)
⚠️ Higher cost ($110)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)
✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i3-3217UE (2012) relies on 22 nm technology and **unknown Dual-channel**, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightCore i3-3217UECore i5-12400F
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Better overall value (+356%)
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($35)
⚠️ 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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-3217UE and Core i5-12400F

Intel

Core i3-3217UE

The Core i3-3217UE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 August 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 1,362 points. Launch price was $69.

Intel

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 i3-3217UE 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 1.6 GHz on the Core i3-3217UE versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 93.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F. The Core i3-3217UE 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 i3-3217UE scores 1,362 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 173.9% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 353 vs 1,700, a 131.2% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 790 vs 657 (18.4% advantage for the Core i3-3217UE). L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3217UE vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

FeatureCore i3-3217UECore i5-12400F
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock
1.6 GHz
4.4 GHz+175%
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
L3 Cache
3 MB (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
1,362
19,532+1334%
Cinebench R23 Multi
12,380
Geekbench 6 Single
353
1,700+382%
Geekbench 6 Multi
790+20%
657
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-3217UE uses the BGA1023 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 i3-3217UE 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 16 GB 155.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-3217UE) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM65,QM77 (Core i3-3217UE) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).

FeatureCore i3-3217UECore i5-12400F
Socket
BGA1023
LGA1700
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1600
DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+67%
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
128 GB+700%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
20+25%
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: Yes (Core i3-3217UE) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). The Core i3-3217UE includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3217UE targets Embedded, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

FeatureCore i3-3217UECore i5-12400F
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
Yes
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Embedded
Gaming Performance/Value
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i3-3217UE launched at $225 MSRP, while the Core i5-12400F debuted at $174. At current prices ($35 vs $110), the Core i3-3217UE is $75 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-3217UE delivers 38.9 pts/$ vs 177.6 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 128.1% better value option.

FeatureCore i3-3217UECore i5-12400F
MSRP
$225
$174-23%
Avg Price (30d)
$35-68%
$110
Performance per Dollar
38.9
177.6+357%
Release Date
2012
2022