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 i5-10400F vs Core i7-12700E 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 i5-10400F vs Core i7-12700E: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-10400F

2020

Why buy it

✅Costs $154 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $314 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-12700E.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-12700E across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,191 vs 20,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 25 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 81.4 vs 90.1 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $314 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i7-12700E moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i7-12700E

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +22.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+108.3% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Delivers 10.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 90.1 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($314 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
96.3% HIGHER MSRP
$314 MSRPvs$160 MSRP
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-12700E better than Core i5-10400F?

Yes. Core i7-12700E is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 22.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 144.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 117.2% higher 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 i7-12700E is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 22.2% 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 i7-12700E is the stronger fit. You are getting 144.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 12 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 108.3% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 12 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-12700E is the better buy right now. Core i7-12700E comes in 96.3% more expensive on MSRP at $314 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 22.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 10.7% better value on MSRP (90.1 vs 81.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Core i5-10400F can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i7-12700E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2020), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, 108.3% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 20 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-10400F vs Core i7-12700E Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-10400F

The Core i5-10400F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,029 points. Launch price was $155.

Core i7-12700E

The Core i7-12700E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 28,302 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-12700E offers 12 cores / 20 threads — the Core i7-12700E has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-12700E — a 11% clock advantage for the Core i7-12700E (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-12700E uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Core i7-12700E's 28,302 — a 73.9% lead for the Core i7-12700E. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 8,191 vs 20,000 (83.8% advantage for the Core i7-12700E). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 2,202, a 40.9% lead for the Core i7-12700E that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 11,981 (69.8% advantage for the Core i7-12700E). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700E.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-12700E
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	12 / 20+100%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	4.8 GHz+12%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+38%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	25 MB (total)+108%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+20380%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	10 nm-29%
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	13,029	28,302+117%
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191	20,000+144%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454	2,202+51%
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783	11,981+107%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-12700E uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200 on the Core i7-12700E — the Core i7-12700E supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 20 (Core i7-12700E) — the Core i7-12700E offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and R680E,Q670,H610E (Core i7-12700E).

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-12700E
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200+80%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-12700E). The Core i7-12700E includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, Core i7-12700E targets Industrial Computing / Professional Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600; Core i7-12700E rivals Ryzen 7 5800X.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-12700E
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Gaming	Industrial Computing / Professional Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the Core i7-12700E came in at $314. On launch pricing ($160 vs $314), Core i5-10400F was $154 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 90.1 pts/$ for the Core i7-12700E — making the Core i7-12700E the 10.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-12700E
MSRP	$160-49%	$314
Performance per Dollar	81.4	90.1+11%
Release Date	2020	2022

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