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 i5-12400 vs Core i9-11900T 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 i5-12400 vs Core i9-11900T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-12400

2022

Why buy it

✅+15.6% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Costs $230 less on MSRP ($209 MSRP vs $439 MSRP).
✅Delivers 112.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 89.9 vs 42.4 PassMark/$ ($209 MSRP vs $439 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-11900T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Core i9-11900T

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (9,200 vs 10,632).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 42.4 vs 89.9 PassMark/$ ($439 MSRP vs $209 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i5-12400 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400 better than Core i9-11900T?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-11900T is ahead with a 8.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12400 pulls ahead with 15.6% better Geekbench multi-core.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 15.6% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-12400 is the better buy right now. Core i5-12400 comes in $230 cheaper on MSRP at $209 MSRP versus $439 MSRP, and it still gives you 15.6% better Geekbench multi-core. The compromise is that Core i9-11900T is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 8.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 112.0% better value on MSRP (89.9 vs 42.4 PassMark/$), 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 i9-11900T can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap, but on MSRP alone you would want to find it meaningfully cheaper in real-world listings before that path becomes easy to justify.

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

Core i5-12400 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 LGA1200, and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12400 vs Core i9-11900T Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-12400

The Core i5-12400 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: 18,794 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i9-11900T

The Core i9-11900T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 18,620 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12400 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i9-11900T offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i9-11900T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400 versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i9-11900T — a 10.8% clock advantage for the Core i9-11900T (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core i5-12400 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-11900T uses Rocket Lake (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400 scores 18,794 against the Core i9-11900T's 18,620 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-12400. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,381 vs 2,100, a 12.5% lead for the Core i5-12400 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 10,632 vs 9,200 (14.4% advantage for the Core i5-12400). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400 vs 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-11900T.

Feature	Core i5-12400	Core i9-11900T
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.9 GHz+11%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+67%	1.5 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)+13%	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Rocket Lake (2021)
PassMark	18,794	18,620
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,400	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,381+13%	2,100
Geekbench 6 Multi	10,632+16%	9,200

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-11900T uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400 versus DDR4-3200 on the Core i9-11900T — the Core i5-12400 supports 50% 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. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400) and H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i9-11900T).

Feature	Core i5-12400	Core i9-11900T
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+50%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20	20

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-11900T). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 730 (Core i5-12400) and Intel UHD Graphics 750 (Core i9-11900T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400 targets Gaming Performance/Value, Core i9-11900T targets Low Power High Perf Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400 rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i5-12400	Core i9-11900T
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 730	Intel UHD Graphics 750
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	Low Power High Perf Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12400 was priced at $209, while the Core i9-11900T came in at $439. On launch pricing ($209 vs $439), Core i5-12400 was $230 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400 delivers 89.9 pts/$ vs 42.4 pts/$ for the Core i9-11900T — making the Core i5-12400 the 71.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12400	Core i9-11900T
MSRP	$209-52%	$439
Performance per Dollar	89.9+112%	42.4
Release Date	2022	2021

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