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 i9-12900HK 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 i9-12900HK: 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

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-12900HK across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,191 vs 18,197).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $160 MSRP, while Core i9-12900HK mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Core i9-12900HK

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +34.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅75% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-12900HK better than Core i5-10400F?

Yes. Core i9-12900HK is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 34.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 122.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 95.8% 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 i9-12900HK is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 34.6% 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 i9-12900HK is the stronger fit. You are getting 122.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i9-12900HK is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-10400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-12900HK comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 34.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-10400F is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i9-12900HK makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2020), a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, 100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 14 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 i9-12900HK 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 i9-12900HK

The Core i9-12900HK is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 25,512 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i9-12900HK offers 14 cores / 20 threads — the Core i9-12900HK has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 5 GHz on the Core i9-12900HK — a 15.1% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900HK (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i9-12900HK uses Alder Lake-H (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Core i9-12900HK's 25,512 — a 64.8% lead for the Core i9-12900HK. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 8,191 vs 18,197 (75.8% advantage for the Core i9-12900HK). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 1,938, a 28.5% lead for the Core i9-12900HK that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 13,317 (78.9% advantage for the Core i9-12900HK). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900HK.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-12900HK
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	14 / 20+133%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	5 GHz+16%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+16%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	24 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+20380%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Alder Lake-H (2022)
PassMark	13,029	25,512+96%
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191	18,197+122%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454	1,938+33%
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783	13,317+130%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i9-12900HK uses FCBGA1744 (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 i9-12900HK — the Core i9-12900HK supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-10400F 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 i5-10400F) vs 28 (Core i9-12900HK) — the Core i9-12900HK offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and BGA1744 (Core i9-12900HK).

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-12900HK
Socket	LGA1200	FCBGA1744
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+80%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	28+75%

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i9-12900HK has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i9-12900HK). The Core i9-12900HK includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EUs)), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, Core i9-12900HK targets Enthusiast Gaming Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600; Core i9-12900HK rivals Ryzen 9 6900HX.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-12900HK
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EUs)
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Gaming	Enthusiast Gaming Laptop