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 i3-4350 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 i3-4350 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 i3-4350

2014

Why buy it

✅+178.1% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Costs $36 less on MSRP ($138 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
✅Draws 54W instead of 65W, a 11W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4600, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 26.2 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($138 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1150, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +167.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+350% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Delivers 329.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 26.2 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1150 and older memory support.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (657 vs 1,827).
❌
26.1% HIGHER MSRP
$174 MSRPvs$138 MSRP
❌20.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 54W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-4350 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Core i3-4350?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-12400F is ahead with a 167.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4350 pulls ahead with 178.1% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i5-12400F also has the bigger cache pool with 350% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 4 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4350 is the stronger fit. You are getting 178.1% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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 26.1% more expensive on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $138 MSRP, and it still gives you a 167.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i3-4350 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 178.1% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 329.0% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 26.2 PassMark/$), 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 2014), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1150, and 350% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 4 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-4350 vs Core i5-12400F Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-4350

The Core i3-4350 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,611 points. Launch price was $170.

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 i3-4350 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 3.6 GHz on the Core i3-4350 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 20% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i3-4350 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4350 scores 3,611 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 137.6% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 951 vs 1,700, a 56.5% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,827 vs 657 (94.2% advantage for the Core i3-4350). L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-4350 vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	Core i3-4350	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	4.4 GHz+22%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+44%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	18 MB (total)+350%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)+400%
Process	22 nm	Intel 7 nm-68%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	3,611	19,532+441%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	951	1,700+79%
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,827+178%	657

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4350 uses the LGA1150 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 i3-4350 versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F — the Core i5-12400F supports 200% 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 — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-4350) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H81,B85,H87,Z87,H97,Z97 (Core i3-4350) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).

Feature	Core i3-4350	Core i5-12400F
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+200%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	128 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x (Core i3-4350) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). The Core i3-4350 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4600), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4350 targets Office Desktop, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i3-4350	Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 4600	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Office Desktop	Gaming Performance/Value

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-4350 was priced at $138, while the Core i5-12400F came in at $174. On launch pricing ($138 vs $174), Core i3-4350 was $36 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-4350 delivers 26.2 pts/$ vs 112.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 124.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-4350	Core i5-12400F
MSRP	$138-21%	$174
Performance per Dollar	26.2	112.3+329%
Release Date	2014	2022

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