Core i5-12400F vs Core i5-13420H

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 i5-13420H 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 i5-13420H: 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

✅+13.5% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-13420H.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $174 MSRP, while Core i5-13420H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Core i5-13420H

2023

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (17,205 vs 19,532).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 18 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13420H better than Core i5-12400F?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-13420H is ahead with a 2.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12400F pulls ahead with 13.5% better PassMark. Core i5-12400F also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12400F is the stronger fit. You are getting 13.5% better PassMark, 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 i5-13420H is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-13420H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-12400F is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 13.5% better PassMark. Core i5-12400F is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-13420H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-12400F vs Core i5-13420H 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 i5-13420H

The Core i5-13420H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4x-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 17,205 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-13420H offers 8 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-13420H has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13420H — a 4.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-13420H (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-13420H uses Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core i5-13420H's 17,205 — a 12.7% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-13420H.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i5-13420H
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 12+33%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.6 GHz+5%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+19%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)+50%	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+60%
Process	Intel 7 nm	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024)
PassMark	19,532+14%	17,205
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-13420H uses FCBGA1744 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i5-13420H
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA1744
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) / not specified (Core i5-13420H). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.