Core i5-11260H vs Core i5-12400T

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 i5-11260H vs Core i5-12400T 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 i5-11260H vs Core i5-12400T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-11260H

2021

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (15,459 vs 15,543).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1787 with DDR4, while Core i5-12400T moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-12400T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400T.

Core i5-12400T

2022

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1787 and DDR4.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 730, while Core i5-11260H needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $192 MSRP, while Core i5-11260H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400T better than Core i5-11260H?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-11260H is ahead with a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12400T pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark. Core i5-12400T also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12400T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i5-12400T is the better buy right now. Core i5-12400T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $192 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-11260H is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (81.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-12400T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2021), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1787, 50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-11260H vs Core i5-12400T Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-11260H

The Core i5-11260H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 15,459 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i5-12400T

The Core i5-12400T 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 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 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): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 15,543 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-11260H and Core i5-12400T share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-11260H versus 4.2 GHz on the Core i5-12400T — a 4.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-11260H (base: 2.6 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core i5-11260H uses the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Core i5-12400T uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11260H scores 15,459 against the Core i5-12400T's 15,543 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-12400T. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-11260H vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400T.

Feature	Core i5-11260H	Core i5-12400T
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+5%	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+44%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	18 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm SuperFin	Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture	Tiger Lake-H (2021)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	15,459	15,543
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,650
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	7,800

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11260H uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i5-12400T uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-11260H	Core i5-12400T
Socket	FCBGA1787	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	20

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-11260H) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400T). The Core i5-12400T includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 730), while the Core i5-11260H requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400T targets Office/Home Desktop.