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

✅Better for gaming: +367.8% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+125% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of UTFCBGA1377 and older memory support.
✅100% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 10) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (657 vs 2,960).
❌Launch MSRP is still $174 MSRP, while Core i7-10510Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-10510Y can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-10510Y

2019

Why buy it

✅+350.5% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 617, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 18 MB).
❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on UTFCBGA1377, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Core i7-10510Y

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +367.8% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+125% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of UTFCBGA1377 and older memory support.
✅100% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 10) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Why buy it

✅+350.5% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 617, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (657 vs 2,960).
❌Launch MSRP is still $174 MSRP, while Core i7-10510Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-10510Y can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 18 MB).
❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on UTFCBGA1377, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Core i7-10510Y?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Core i5-12400F is ahead with a 367.8% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-10510Y pulls ahead with 350.5% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i5-12400F also has the bigger cache pool with 125% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 8 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-10510Y is the better fit. You are getting 350.5% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i5-12400F is the smarter buy today. Core i5-12400F is at an unclear MSRP at $174 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 367.8% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that Core i7-10510Y is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 350.5% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible UTFCBGA1377 setup, Core i7-10510Y can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard swap.

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

Core i5-12400F is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2019), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of UTFCBGA1377, and 125% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 8 MB). That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

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 i7-10510Y Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-10510Y
1080p
low	183 FPS	91 FPS
medium	168 FPS	91 FPS
high	139 FPS	91 FPS
ultra	119 FPS	91 FPS
1440p
low	153 FPS	91 FPS
medium	132 FPS	91 FPS
high	106 FPS	91 FPS
ultra	89 FPS	79 FPS
4K
low	87 FPS	84 FPS
medium	81 FPS	72 FPS
high	64 FPS	57 FPS
ultra	49 FPS	45 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i7-10510Y

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-10510Y
1080p
low	471 FPS	91 FPS
medium	397 FPS	91 FPS
high	341 FPS	91 FPS
ultra	301 FPS	91 FPS
1440p
low	407 FPS	91 FPS
medium	351 FPS	91 FPS
high	309 FPS	91 FPS
ultra	265 FPS	91 FPS
4K
low	282 FPS	91 FPS
medium	248 FPS	91 FPS
high	229 FPS	85 FPS
ultra	196 FPS	71 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i7-10510Y

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-10510Y
1080p
low	488 FPS	91 FPS
medium	488 FPS	91 FPS
high	488 FPS	91 FPS
ultra	488 FPS	91 FPS
1440p
low	488 FPS	91 FPS
medium	488 FPS	91 FPS
high	485 FPS	91 FPS
ultra	434 FPS	91 FPS
4K
low	442 FPS	91 FPS
medium	389 FPS	91 FPS
high	337 FPS	91 FPS
ultra	274 FPS	91 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i7-10510Y

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-10510Y
1080p
low	488 FPS	91 FPS
medium	488 FPS	91 FPS
high	488 FPS	91 FPS
ultra	488 FPS	91 FPS
1440p
low	488 FPS	91 FPS
medium	488 FPS	91 FPS
high	488 FPS	91 FPS
ultra	473 FPS	91 FPS
4K
low	488 FPS	91 FPS
medium	450 FPS	91 FPS
high	391 FPS	91 FPS
ultra	330 FPS	91 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i7-10510Y

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12400F and Core i7-10510Y

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 i7-10510Y

The Core i7-10510Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-Y (2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: UTFCBGA1377. Thermal design power (TDP): 7 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,631 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-10510Y offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-12400F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-10510Y — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-10510Y (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-10510Y uses Comet Lake-Y (2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core i7-10510Y's 3,631 — a 137.3% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 1,270, a 29% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 2,960 (127.3% advantage for the Core i7-10510Y). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-10510Y.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-10510Y
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.5 GHz+2%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+108%	1.2 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)+125%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+400%	256K (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Comet Lake-Y (2019)
PassMark	19,532+438%	3,631
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700+34%	1,270
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	2,960+351%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-10510Y uses UTFCBGA1377 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus LPDDR3-2133 on the Core i7-10510Y — the Core i5-12400F supports 50% 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 16 GB — 155.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 10 (Core i7-10510Y) — the Core i5-12400F offers 10 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and Comet Lake-Y (Core i7-10510Y).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-10510Y
Socket	LGA1700	UTFCBGA1377
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+67%	LPDDR3-2133
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+700%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+100%	10

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-10510Y). The Core i7-10510Y includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 617), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Core i7-10510Y targets Ultrabook/Tablet. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-10510Y
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel UHD Graphics 617
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	Ultrabook/Tablet