Core i5-12400F vs Core i5-12600HE

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 i5-12600HE 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 i5-12600HE: 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

✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-12600HE.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,700 vs 2,200).
❌Lower PassMark (19,532 vs 22,827).
❌Launch MSRP is still $174 MSRP, while Core i5-12600HE mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-12600HE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-12600HE

2022

Why buy it

✅+29.4% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
✅40% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12600HE better than Core i5-12400F?

Yes. Core i5-12600HE is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 16.9% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-12600HE is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.6% 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 i5-12600HE is the stronger fit. You are getting 16.9% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i5-12600HE is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-12600HE comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12400F is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-12600HE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 16 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 i5-12600HE 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 i5-12600HE

The Core i5-12600HE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 22,827 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-12600HE offers 12 cores / 16 threads — the Core i5-12600HE has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i5-12600HE — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-12600HE (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-12600HE uses Alder Lake-H (2022) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core i5-12600HE's 22,827 — a 15.6% lead for the Core i5-12600HE. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 2,200, a 25.6% lead for the Core i5-12600HE that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 18 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i5-12600HE
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	12 / 16+100%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.5 GHz+2%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	18 MB (total)
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-H (2022)
PassMark	19,532	22,827+17%
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700	2,200+29%
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-12600HE uses FCBGA1744 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus LPDDR5-5200 on the Core i5-12600HE — the Core i5-12600HE supports 8.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-12400F 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 i5-12400F) vs 28 (Core i5-12600HE) — the Core i5-12600HE offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i5-12600HE
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA1744
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	LPDDR5-5200+8%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20	28+40%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. The Core i5-12600HE includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics 80EU), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Core i5-12600HE targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; Core i5-12600HE rivals Ryzen Embedded V3000.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i5-12600HE
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Iris Xe Graphics 80EU
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	Embedded