Core i3-9100F vs Core i5-12400F
Core i3-9100F
Core i5-12400F
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. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-9100F
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-12400F
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-9100F | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($80) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($110) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-9100F | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+112%) |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($80) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($110) |
Performance Check
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 i3-9100F and Core i5-12400F
Core i3-9100F
The Core i3-9100F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,704 points. Launch price was $122.
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 i3-9100F packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-12400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-12400F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i3-9100F versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 4.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i3-9100F uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-9100F scores 6,704 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 97.8% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-9100F vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.
| Feature | Core i3-9100F | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 6 / 12+50% |
| Boost Clock | 4.2 GHz | 4.4 GHz+5% |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz+44% | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 18 MB (total)+200% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core)+400% |
| Process | 14 nm | Intel 7 nm-50% |
| Architecture | Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) | Alder Lake-S (2022) |
| PassMark | 6,704 | 19,532+191% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 12,380 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,700 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 657 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-9100F uses the LGA1151 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 DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-9100F versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F — the Core i5-12400F supports 22.2% 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 64 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-9100F) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 series (Core i3-9100F) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).
| Feature | Core i3-9100F | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2400 | DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+25% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | 128 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 20+25% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-9100F) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). Primary use case: Core i3-9100F targets Desktop, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.
| Feature | Core i3-9100F | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Desktop | Gaming Performance/Value |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-9100F launched at $97 MSRP, while the Core i5-12400F debuted at $174. At current prices ($80 vs $110), the Core i3-9100F is $30 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-9100F delivers 83.8 pts/$ vs 177.6 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 71.7% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-9100F | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $97-44% | $174 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $80-27% | $110 |
| Performance per Dollar | 83.8 | 177.6+112% |
| Release Date | 2019 | 2022 |
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