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 i3-9300 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 i3-9300 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 i3-9300

2019

Why buy it

✅+512.6% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Costs $31 less on MSRP ($143 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, 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 (6 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 49.7 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($143 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +66.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Delivers 125.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 49.7 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $143 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (657 vs 4,025).
❌
21.7% HIGHER MSRP
$174 MSRPvs$143 MSRP
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-9300 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Core i3-9300?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-12400F is ahead with a 66.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-9300 pulls ahead with 512.6% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i5-12400F also has the bigger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-9300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 512.6% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 4 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 21.7% more expensive on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $143 MSRP, and it still gives you a 66.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i3-9300 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 512.6% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 125.9% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 49.7 PassMark/$), 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 2019), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151, and 200% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 6 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-9300 vs Core i5-12400F Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-9300

The Core i3-9300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 62 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 7,105 points. Launch price was $143.

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 i3-9300 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 4.3 GHz on the Core i3-9300 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 2.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i3-9300 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-9300 scores 7,105 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 93.3% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,498 vs 1,700, a 12.6% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 4,025 vs 657 (143.9% advantage for the Core i3-9300). L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-9300 vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	Core i3-9300	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	4.4 GHz+2%
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+48%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	18 MB (total)+200%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+20380%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	7,105	19,532+175%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	1,498	1,700+13%
Geekbench 6 Multi	4,025+513%	657

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-9300 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 i3-9300 versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F — the Core i5-12400F supports 100% 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 — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-9300) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: LGA1151 (Core i3-9300) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).

Feature	Core i3-9300	Core i5-12400F
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+100%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-9300) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). The Core i3-9300 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), 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 i3-9300	Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Gaming Performance/Value

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-9300 was priced at $143, while the Core i5-12400F came in at $174. On launch pricing ($143 vs $174), Core i3-9300 was $31 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-9300 delivers 49.7 pts/$ vs 112.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 77.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-9300	Core i5-12400F
MSRP	$143-18%	$174
Performance per Dollar	49.7	112.3+126%
Release Date	2019	2022

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