Core i5-12400F vs Core i5-12490F

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 i5-12400F vs Core i5-12490F 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 i5-12400F vs Core i5-12490F: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-12400F

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $76 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
✅Delivers 37.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 81.5 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (12,380 vs 12,500).

Core i5-12490F

2022

Why buy it

✅+1% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 81.5 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12490F better than Core i5-12400F?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-12400F is ahead with a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12490F pulls ahead with 1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12490F is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-12490F is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-12490F comes in 43.7% more expensive on MSRP at $250 MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. The compromise is that Core i5-12400F is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12400F is also 37.8% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 81.5 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i5-12490F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-12400F vs Core i5-12490F Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-12400F

The Core i5-12400F 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: 19,532 points. Launch price was $180.

Core i5-12490F

The Core i5-12490F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 20,366 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-12400F and Core i5-12490F share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-12490F — a 4.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-12490F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3 GHz). Both are built on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture using a Intel 7 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core i5-12490F's 20,366 — a 4.2% lead for the Core i5-12490F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,380 vs 12,500 (1% advantage for the Core i5-12490F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 1,800, a 5.7% lead for the Core i5-12490F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 8,800 (172.2% advantage for the Core i5-12490F). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-12490F.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i5-12490F
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.6 GHz+5%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3 GHz+20%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	20 MB (total)+11%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-30%	10 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	19,532	20,366+4%
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	12,500
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700	1,800+6%
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	8,800+1239%

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 memory speed. 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 i5-12400F) and B660,H610,H670,Z690,B760 (Core i5-12490F).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i5-12490F
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Core i5-12490F targets Gaming Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; Core i5-12490F rivals Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i5-12490F
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	Gaming Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12400F was priced at $174, while the Core i5-12490F came in at $250. On launch pricing ($174 vs $250), Core i5-12400F was $76 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 81.5 pts/$ for the Core i5-12490F — making the Core i5-12400F the 31.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i5-12490F
MSRP	$174-30%	$250
Performance per Dollar	112.3+38%	81.5
Release Date	2022	2022

Search Core i5-12400F on Amazon

Search Core i5-12490F on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.