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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Why buy it

✅+393.2% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅Costs $35 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $209 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-14490F across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 112.3 vs 132.2 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $209 MSRP).

Core i5-14490F

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +40.5% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Delivers 17.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 132.2 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($209 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (2,510 vs 12,380).
❌
20.1% HIGHER MSRP
$209 MSRPvs$174 MSRP

Core i5-12400F

2022

Core i5-14490F

2024

Why buy it

✅+393.2% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅Costs $35 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $209 MSRP).

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +40.5% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Delivers 17.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 132.2 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($209 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-14490F across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 112.3 vs 132.2 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $209 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (2,510 vs 12,380).
❌
20.1% HIGHER MSRP
$209 MSRPvs$174 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-14490F better than Core i5-12400F?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Core i5-14490F is ahead with a 40.5% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12400F pulls ahead with 393.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core i5-14490F also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12400F is the better fit. You are getting 393.2% 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 i5-14490F is the smarter buy today. Core i5-14490F is 20.1% more expensive on MSRP at $209 MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it gives you a 40.5% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that Core i5-12400F is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 393.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. It is also 17.7% better value on MSRP (132.2 vs 112.3 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

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

Core i5-14490F is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2022) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i5-12400F Benchmark Check

Core i5-14490F Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i5-14490F
1080p
low	183 FPS	246 FPS
medium	168 FPS	231 FPS
high	139 FPS	196 FPS
ultra	119 FPS	169 FPS
1440p
low	153 FPS	215 FPS
medium	132 FPS	183 FPS
high	106 FPS	151 FPS
ultra	89 FPS	132 FPS
4K
low	87 FPS	149 FPS
medium	81 FPS	127 FPS
high	64 FPS	98 FPS
ultra	49 FPS	86 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i5-14490F

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i5-14490F
1080p
low	471 FPS	645 FPS
medium	397 FPS	549 FPS
high	341 FPS	464 FPS
ultra	301 FPS	411 FPS
1440p
low	407 FPS	555 FPS
medium	351 FPS	493 FPS
high	309 FPS	418 FPS
ultra	265 FPS	352 FPS
4K
low	282 FPS	326 FPS
medium	248 FPS	293 FPS
high	229 FPS	279 FPS
ultra	196 FPS	238 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i5-14490F

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i5-14490F
1080p
low	488 FPS	691 FPS
medium	488 FPS	691 FPS
high	488 FPS	691 FPS
ultra	488 FPS	691 FPS
1440p
low	488 FPS	691 FPS
medium	488 FPS	691 FPS
high	485 FPS	691 FPS
ultra	434 FPS	656 FPS
4K
low	442 FPS	596 FPS
medium	389 FPS	502 FPS
high	337 FPS	447 FPS
ultra	274 FPS	376 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i5-14490F

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i5-14490F
1080p
low	488 FPS	691 FPS
medium	488 FPS	691 FPS
high	488 FPS	691 FPS
ultra	488 FPS	691 FPS
1440p
low	488 FPS	691 FPS
medium	488 FPS	691 FPS
high	488 FPS	691 FPS
ultra	473 FPS	592 FPS
4K
low	488 FPS	661 FPS
medium	450 FPS	585 FPS
high	391 FPS	514 FPS
ultra	330 FPS	436 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i5-14490F

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12400F and Core i5-14490F

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 i5-14490F

The Core i5-14490F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture. It features 10 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 24 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. Passmark benchmark score: 27,621 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-14490F offers 10 cores / 16 threads — the Core i5-14490F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 5 GHz on the Core i5-14490F — a 12.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-14490F (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 i5-14490F uses Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core i5-14490F's 27,621 — a 34.3% lead for the Core i5-14490F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,380 vs 2,510 (132.6% advantage for the Core i5-12400F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 2,600, a 41.9% lead for the Core i5-14490F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 12,000 (179.2% advantage for the Core i5-14490F). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i5-14490F.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i5-14490F
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	10 / 16+67%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	5 GHz+14%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	24 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-30%	10 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025)
PassMark	19,532	27,621+41%
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380+393%	2,510
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700	2,600+53%
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	12,000+1726%

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 memory speed. The Core i5-14490F supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. 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 H610,B660,Z690,B760,Z790 (Core i5-14490F).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i5-14490F
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	192 GB+50%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-14490F). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Core i5-14490F targets Mid-Range. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; Core i5-14490F rivals Ryzen 5 7600.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i5-14490F
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	Mid-Range

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-12400F launched at $174 MSRP, while the Core i5-14490F debuted at $209. On MSRP ($174 vs $209), the Core i5-12400F is $35 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 132.2 pts/$ for the Core i5-14490F — making the Core i5-14490F the 16.3% better value option.