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 Xeon W-1350 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 Xeon W-1350: 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

✅Better for gaming: +15.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Costs $46 less on MSRP ($209 MSRP vs $255 MSRP).
✅Delivers 22.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 89.9 vs 73.5 PassMark/$ ($209 MSRP vs $255 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 80W, a 15W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon W-1350

2021

Why buy it

✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (9,104 vs 10,632).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 73.5 vs 89.9 PassMark/$ ($255 MSRP vs $209 MSRP).
❌23.1% higher power demand at 80W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400 better than Xeon W-1350?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W-1350 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-12400 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-12400 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 15.7% 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 16.8% better Geekbench multi-core, 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 i5-12400 is the better buy right now. Core i5-12400 comes in $46 cheaper on MSRP at $209 MSRP versus $255 MSRP, and it still gives you a 15.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 22.3% better value on MSRP (89.9 vs 73.5 PassMark/$), 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 i5-12400 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, 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 i5-12400 vs Xeon W-1350 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.

Xeon W-1350

The Xeon W-1350 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake-S (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 18,742 points. Launch price was $255.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-12400 and Xeon W-1350 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400 versus 5 GHz on the Xeon W-1350 — a 12.8% clock advantage for the Xeon W-1350 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i5-12400 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon W-1350 uses Rocket Lake-S (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400 scores 18,794 against the Xeon W-1350's 18,742 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-12400. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,381 vs 2,140, a 10.7% lead for the Core i5-12400 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 10,632 vs 9,104 (15.5% advantage for the Core i5-12400). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400 vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon W-1350.

Feature	Core i5-12400	Xeon W-1350
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	5 GHz+14%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.3 GHz+32%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)+50%	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+150%	512 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Rocket Lake-S (2021)
PassMark	18,794	18,742
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,400	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,381+11%	2,140
Geekbench 6 Multi	10,632+17%	9,104

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon W-1350 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) — 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 Xeon W-1350 — 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 W580,C252,C256 (Xeon W-1350).

Feature	Core i5-12400	Xeon W-1350
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+50%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400) vs Yes (Xeon W-1350). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 730 (Core i5-12400) and UHD Graphics P750 (Xeon W-1350) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400 targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400 rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i5-12400	Xeon W-1350
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 730	UHD Graphics P750
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	Yes
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12400 was priced at $209, while the Xeon W-1350 came in at $255. On launch pricing ($209 vs $255), Core i5-12400 was $46 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400 delivers 89.9 pts/$ vs 73.5 pts/$ for the Xeon W-1350 — making the Core i5-12400 the 20.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12400	Xeon W-1350
MSRP	$209-18%	$255
Performance per Dollar	89.9+22%	73.5
Release Date	2022	2021

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