
Core i3-4370

Core i5-12400F
Core i3-4370 vs Core i5-12400F Performance Spectrum
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 i3-4370 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.

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Valorant

Among Us

Apex Legends

ARC Raiders

Baldur's Gate 3

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Core i3-4370 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 i3-4370
2014Why buy it
- β Costs $25 less on MSRP ($149 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
- β Draws 54W instead of 65W, a 11W reduction.
- β Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4600, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.
Trade-offs
- βWorse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- βLower Cinebench R23 multi-core (2,454 vs 12,380).
- βSmaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 18 MB).
- βLower PassMark per dollar, at 25.9 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($149 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
- βOlder platform position on LGA1150, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
Core i5-12400F
2022Why buy it
- β Better for gaming: +154.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- β +350% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 4 MB).
- β Delivers 334.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 25.9 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $149 MSRP).
- β Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1150 and older memory support.
- β 25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
Trade-offs
- β16.8% HIGHER MSRP$174 MSRPvs$149 MSRP
- β20.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 54W.
- βNo integrated graphics, while Core i3-4370 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
Quick Answers
So, is Core i5-12400F better than Core i3-4370?
Which one is better for gaming?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i3-4370 vs Core i5-12400F Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-4370
The Core i3-4370 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 July 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013β2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 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: 3,854 points. Launch price was $242.

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 i3-4370 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-12400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads β the Core i5-12400F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i3-4370 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F β a 14.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 3.8 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i3-4370 uses the Haswell (2013β2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4370 scores 3,854 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 β a 134.1% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 2,454 vs 12,380 (133.8% advantage for the Core i5-12400F). Geekbench 6 single-core β the metric most relevant to gaming β records 904 vs 1,700, a 61.1% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,071 vs 657 (103.7% advantage for the Core i3-4370). L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-4370 vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.
| Feature | Core i3-4370 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 6 / 12+200% |
| Boost Clock | 3.8 GHz | 4.4 GHz+16% |
| Base Clock | 3.8 GHz+52% | 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 (2013β2015) | Alder Lake-S (2022) |
| PassMark | 3,854 | 19,532+407% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 2,454 | 12,380+404% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 904 | 1,700+88% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 2,071+215% | 657 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-4370 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-12400F uses LGA1700 (PCIe 3.0) β making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-4370 versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F β 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 β 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-4370) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) β the Core i5-12400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel H81,Intel B85,Intel H87,Intel Z87,Intel H97,Intel Z97 (Core i3-4370) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).
| Feature | Core i3-4370 | 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 | Yes | No |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 20+25% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: true (Core i3-4370) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). The Core i3-4370 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4600), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.
| Feature | Core i3-4370 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 4600 | β |
| AVX-512 | No | β |
| Virtualization | true | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | β | Gaming Performance/Value |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Core i3-4370 was priced at $149, while the Core i5-12400F came in at $174. On launch pricing ($149 vs $174), Core i3-4370 was $25 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-4370 delivers 25.9 pts/$ vs 112.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F β making the Core i5-12400F the 125.1% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-4370 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $149-14% | $174 |
| Performance per Dollar | 25.9 | 112.3+334% |
| Release Date | 2014 | 2022 |
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