Core i3-330UM vs Core i5-12400F

CPU

GPU

Core i3-330UM

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 0.1 GHz2010

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Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

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Core i3-330UM vs Core i5-12400F Performance Spectrum

Core i3-330UM

2 / 4

1,297

0.0%

19,532

+1405.9%

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.

Core i3-330UM 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 i3-330UM 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 i3-330UM

2010

Why buy it

✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 46 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (600 vs 657).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 18 MB).
❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on BGA1288, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +583.4% higher average FPS across 46 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+500% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of BGA1288 and older memory support.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $174 MSRP, while Core i3-330UM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-330UM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Core i3-330UM?

Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 583.4% average FPS lead across 46 shared CPU game tests in our data, 9.5% better Geekbench multi-core, 1405.9% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, 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 583.4% more average FPS across 46 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 9.5% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 500% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 3 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-12400F is the better buy right now. Core i5-12400F comes in at an unclear MSRP at $174 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 583.4% average FPS lead across 46 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-12400F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2010), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of BGA1288, 500% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 2/4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-330UM vs Core i5-12400F Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-330UM

The Core i3-330UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 0.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,297 points. Launch price was $69.

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 i3-330UM 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 0.1 GHz on the Core i3-330UM versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 191.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 1.2 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i3-330UM uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-330UM scores 1,297 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 175.1% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 300 vs 1,700, a 140% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 600 vs 657 (9.1% advantage for the Core i5-12400F). L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-330UM vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	Core i3-330UM	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	0.1 GHz	4.4 GHz+4300%
Base Clock	1.2 GHz	2.5 GHz+108%
L3 Cache	3 MB	18 MB (total)+500%
L2 Cache	512 kB	1.25 MB (per core)+150%
Process	32 nm	Intel 7 nm-78%
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	1,297	19,532+1406%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	300	1,700+467%
Geekbench 6 Multi	600	657+10%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-330UM uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-12400F uses LGA1700 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-800 on the Core i3-330UM versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F — the Core i5-12400F supports 500% 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 8 GB — 1500% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-330UM) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM55 (Core i3-330UM) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).

Feature	Core i3-330UM	Core i5-12400F
Socket	BGA1288	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-800	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+500%
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	128 GB+1500%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-330UM) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). The Core i3-330UM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-330UM targets Legacy Laptop, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i3-330UM rivals Pentium SU7300; Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i3-330UM	Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Legacy Laptop	Gaming Performance/Value