Core i5-12400 vs Core Ultra 7 258V
Core i5-12400
Core Ultra 7 258V
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-12400
Performance Per Dollar Core Ultra 7 258V
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-12400 | Core Ultra 7 258V |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($195) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($400) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Lunar Lake (2024) / 3 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-12400 | Core Ultra 7 258V |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+103%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($195) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($400) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12400 and Core Ultra 7 258V
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 Ultra 7 258V
The Core Ultra 7 258V is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 September 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2.5 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2833. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 18,947 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The Core i5-12400 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 258V offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core Ultra 7 258V has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400 versus 4.8 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 258V — a 8.7% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 258V (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i5-12400 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 258V uses Lunar Lake (2024) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400 scores 18,794 against the Core Ultra 7 258V's 18,947 — a 0.8% lead for the Core Ultra 7 258V. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,400 vs 10,000 (21.4% advantage for the Core i5-12400). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,381 vs 2,750, a 14.4% lead for the Core Ultra 7 258V that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 10,632 vs 11,000 (3.4% advantage for the Core Ultra 7 258V). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 258V.
| Feature | Core i5-12400 | Core Ultra 7 258V |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 8 / 8+33% |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz | 4.8 GHz+9% |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz+14% | 2.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 18 MB (total)+50% | 12 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB (per core)+100% |
| Process | Intel 7 nm | 3 nm-57% |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-S (2022) | Lunar Lake (2024) |
| PassMark | 18,794 | 18,947 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 12,400+24% | 10,000 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,381 | 2,750+15% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 10,632 | 11,000+3% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-12400 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 7 258V uses FCBGA2833 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 memory speed. The Core i5-12400 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400) vs 8 (Core Ultra 7 258V) — the Core i5-12400 offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400) and Lunar Lake (Core Ultra 7 258V).
| Feature | Core i5-12400 | Core Ultra 7 258V |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | FCBGA2833 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+67% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 | LPDDR5X-8533 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB+300% | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20+150% | 8 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 7 258V). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 730 (Core i5-12400) and Arc 140V (Core Ultra 7 258V) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400 targets Gaming Performance/Value, Core Ultra 7 258V targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400 rivals Ryzen 5 5600; Core Ultra 7 258V rivals Ryzen 7 8840U.
| Feature | Core i5-12400 | Core Ultra 7 258V |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 730 | Arc 140V |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Gaming Performance/Value | Gaming |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-12400 launched at $209 MSRP, while the Core Ultra 7 258V debuted at $450. At current prices ($195 vs $400), the Core i5-12400 is $205 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400 delivers 96.4 pts/$ vs 47.4 pts/$ for the Core Ultra 7 258V — making the Core i5-12400 the 68.2% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-12400 | Core Ultra 7 258V |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $209-54% | $450 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $195-51% | $400 |
| Performance per Dollar | 96.4+103% | 47.4 |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2024 |
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