
Core i5-12400 vs Ryzen 5 220

Core i5-12400

Ryzen 5 220
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 Ryzen 5 220
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-12400 | Ryzen 5 220 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($195) | ✅ More affordable ($150) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Hawk Point (2024−2025) / 4 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-12400 | Ryzen 5 220 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+30%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($195) | ✅ More affordable ($150) |
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 Ryzen 5 220

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.

Ryzen 5 220
The Ryzen 5 220 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Hawk Point (2024−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 18,762 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
Both the Core i5-12400 and Ryzen 5 220 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400 versus 4.9 GHz on the Ryzen 5 220 — a 10.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 220 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-12400 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 220 uses Hawk Point (2024−2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400 scores 18,794 against the Ryzen 5 220's 18,762 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-12400. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,381 vs 1,300, a 58.7% lead for the Core i5-12400 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 10,632 vs 7,700 (32% advantage for the Core i5-12400). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400 vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 220.
| Feature | Core i5-12400 | Ryzen 5 220 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz | 4.9 GHz+11% |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 3.2 GHz+28% |
| L3 Cache | 18 MB (total)+13% | 16 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core)+25% | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | Intel 7 nm | 4 nm-43% |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-S (2022) | Hawk Point (2024−2025) |
| PassMark | 18,794 | 18,762 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 12,400 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,381+83% | 1,300 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 10,632+38% | 7,700 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-12400 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 220 uses FP8 (PCIe 4.0) — 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 64 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400) vs 14 (Ryzen 5 220) — the Core i5-12400 offers 6 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400) and SoC (Ryzen 5 220).
| Feature | Core i5-12400 | Ryzen 5 220 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | FP8 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+25% | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 | DDR5-5600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB+100% | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20+43% | 14 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 220). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 730 (Core i5-12400) and Radeon 740M (Ryzen 5 220) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400 targets Gaming Performance/Value, Ryzen 5 220 targets Thin and Light Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400 rivals Ryzen 5 5600.
| Feature | Core i5-12400 | Ryzen 5 220 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 730 | Radeon 740M |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Gaming Performance/Value | Thin and Light Laptop |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-12400 launched at $209 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 220 debuted at $150. At current prices ($195 vs $150), the Ryzen 5 220 is $45 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400 delivers 96.4 pts/$ vs 125.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 220 — making the Ryzen 5 220 the 25.9% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-12400 | Ryzen 5 220 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $209 | $150-28% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $195 | $150-23% |
| Performance per Dollar | 96.4 | 125.1+30% |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2025 |
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