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 i9-12900T 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 i9-12900T: 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 $329 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $489 MSRP).
✅Delivers 34.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 60.5 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $489 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i9-12900T.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-12900T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,191 vs 22,809).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 30 MB).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i9-12900T moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i9-12900T

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +34.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+150% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅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

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 60.5 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($489 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

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

Yes. Core i9-12900T is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 34.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 178.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 127.2% 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 i9-12900T is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 34.4% 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 i9-12900T is the stronger fit. You are getting 178.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 150% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i9-12900T is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-10400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-12900T comes in 205.6% more expensive on MSRP at $489 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 34.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-10400F is also 34.5% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 60.5 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds 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 i9-12900T 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, 150% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 24 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-10400F vs Core i9-12900T 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 i9-12900T

The Core i9-12900T 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 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 29,601 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i9-12900T offers 16 cores / 24 threads — the Core i9-12900T has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i9-12900T — a 13% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900T (base: 2.9 GHz vs 1.4 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i9-12900T uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Core i9-12900T's 29,601 — a 77.7% lead for the Core i9-12900T. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 8,191 vs 22,809 (94.3% advantage for the Core i9-12900T). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 2,331, a 46.3% lead for the Core i9-12900T that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 12,116 (70.8% advantage for the Core i9-12900T). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 30 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900T.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-12900T
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	16 / 24+167%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	4.9 GHz+14%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+107%	1.4 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	30 MB (total)+150%
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-S (2022)
PassMark	13,029	29,601+127%
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191	22,809+178%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454	2,331+60%
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783	12,116+110%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i9-12900T 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 on the Core i9-12900T — the Core i9-12900T 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 i9-12900T) — the Core i9-12900T offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and LGA1700 (Core i9-12900T).

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-12900T
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR5-4800+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. Only the Core i9-12900T supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i9-12900T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-12900T
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the Core i9-12900T came in at $489. On launch pricing ($160 vs $489), Core i5-10400F was $329 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 60.5 pts/$ for the Core i9-12900T — making the Core i5-10400F the 29.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-12900T
MSRP	$160-67%	$489
Performance per Dollar	81.4+35%	60.5
Release Date	2020	2022

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