Core i3-9350KF vs Core i5-12400F

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 i3-9350KF 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 i3-9350KF 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 i3-9350KF

2019

Why buy it

✅Costs $1 less on MSRP ($173 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,602 vs 19,532).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 43.9 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($173 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌40% higher power demand at 91W vs 65W.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +55.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Delivers 155.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 43.9 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $173 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 91W, a 26W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌
0.6% HIGHER MSRP
$174 MSRPvs$173 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Core i3-9350KF?

Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 55.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 156.9% better 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 55.1% more average FPS across 50 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 156.9% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 6 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 0.6% more expensive on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $173 MSRP, and it still gives you a 55.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 155.5% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 43.9 PassMark/$), 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, 200% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 6 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 4/4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-9350KF vs Core i5-12400F Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-9350KF

The Core i3-9350KF is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 91 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 7,602 points. Launch price was $173.

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 i3-9350KF 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 4.6 GHz on the Core i3-9350KF versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 4.4% clock advantage for the Core i3-9350KF (base: 4 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i3-9350KF 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 i3-9350KF scores 7,602 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 87.9% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-9350KF vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	Core i3-9350KF	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+5%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	4 GHz+60%	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	7,602	19,532+157%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,700
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	657

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-9350KF uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-12400F uses LGA1700 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-9350KF	Core i5-12400F
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	20

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-9350KF) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i3-9350KF	Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Gaming Performance/Value

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-9350KF was priced at $173, while the Core i5-12400F came in at $174. On launch pricing ($173 vs $174), Core i3-9350KF was $1 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-9350KF delivers 43.9 pts/$ vs 112.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 87.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-9350KF	Core i5-12400F
MSRP	$173	$174
Performance per Dollar	43.9	112.3+156%
Release Date	2019	2022

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