Core i5-12400 vs Ryzen 5 220

CPU

GPU

Core i5-12400

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Core family

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Ryzen 5 220

6 Cores12 Thrd28 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2025

Similar parts

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Core i5-12400 vs Ryzen 5 220 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-12400

6 / 12

18,794

+0.2%

18,762

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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.

Core i5-12400 vs Ryzen 5 220 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 Ryzen 5 220: 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

✅+83.2% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅42.9% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 14) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 5 220.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 89.9 vs 125.1 PassMark/$ ($209 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
❌132.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 28W.

Ryzen 5 220

2025

Why buy it

✅Costs $59 less on MSRP ($150 MSRP vs $209 MSRP).
✅Delivers 39.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 125.1 vs 89.9 PassMark/$ ($150 MSRP vs $209 MSRP).
✅Draws 28W instead of 65W, a 37W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,300 vs 2,381).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (7,700 vs 10,632).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400 better than Ryzen 5 220?

Yes. Core i5-12400 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 38.1% better Geekbench multi-core, and 0.2% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-12400 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.9% 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 i5-12400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 38.1% 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 easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i5-12400 comes in 39.3% more expensive on MSRP at $209 MSRP versus $150 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 220 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games.

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

Ryzen 5 220 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12400 vs Ryzen 5 220 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.

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.

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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

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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. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400 versus DDR5-5600 on the Ryzen 5 220 — the Ryzen 5 220 supports 16.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-12400 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% 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+17%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+43%	14

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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

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12400 was priced at $209, while the Ryzen 5 220 came in at $150. On launch pricing ($209 vs $150), Ryzen 5 220 was $59 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400 delivers 89.9 pts/$ vs 125.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 220 — making the Ryzen 5 220 the 32.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12400	Ryzen 5 220
MSRP	$209	$150-28%
Performance per Dollar	89.9	125.1+39%
Release Date	2022	2025

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