Core i5-12400F vs Core i7-11700T

Intel

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
Core family
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VS
Intel

Core i7-11700T

8 Cores16 Thrd35 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2021
Core family
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Core i5-12400F vs Core i7-11700T Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 i7-11700T 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 i7-11700T: 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

  • +13.6% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
  • Costs $149 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $323 MSRP).
  • Delivers 135.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 47.7 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $323 MSRP).
  • Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • 85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i7-11700T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-11700T

2021

Why buy it

  • Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 750, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,497 vs 1,700).
  • Lower PassMark (15,393 vs 19,532).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 47.7 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($323 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
  • Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Core i7-11700T?
Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 26.9% 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 i5-12400F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.4% 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 i5-12400F is the stronger fit. You are getting 26.9% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-12400F is the better buy right now. Core i5-12400F comes in $149 cheaper on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $323 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 135.5% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 47.7 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Core i7-11700T can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap, but on MSRP alone you would want to find it meaningfully cheaper in real-world listings before that path becomes easy to justify.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-12400F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2021), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12400F vs Core i7-11700T Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

Intel

Core i7-11700T

The Core i7-11700T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 15,393 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-11700T offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i7-11700T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-11700T — a 4.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-11700T (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.4 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-11700T uses Rocket Lake (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core i7-11700T's 15,393 — a 23.7% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 1,497, a 12.7% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 16 MB (total) on the Core i7-11700T.

FeatureCore i5-12400FCore i7-11700T
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz
4.6 GHz+5%
Base Clock
2.5 GHz+79%
1.4 GHz
L3 Cache
18 MB (total)+13%
16 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
256K (per core)+20380%
Process
Intel 7 nm-50%
14 nm
Architecture
Alder Lake-S (2022)
Rocket Lake (2021)
PassMark
19,532+27%
15,393
Cinebench R23 Multi
12,380
Geekbench 6 Single
1,700+14%
1,497
Geekbench 6 Multi
657
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-11700T uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus DDR4-3200 on the Core i7-11700T — the Core i5-12400F supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. 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 H510,B560,H570,Z590,Q570 (Core i7-11700T).

FeatureCore i5-12400FCore i7-11700T
Socket
LGA1700
LGA1200
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+50%
DDR4-3200
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. The Core i7-11700T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 750), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Core i7-11700T targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; Core i7-11700T rivals Ryzen 7 5700G.

FeatureCore i5-12400FCore i7-11700T
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 750
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Gaming Performance/Value
Low Power Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12400F was priced at $174, while the Core i7-11700T came in at $323. On launch pricing ($174 vs $323), Core i5-12400F was $149 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 47.7 pts/$ for the Core i7-11700T — making the Core i5-12400F the 80.8% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-12400FCore i7-11700T
MSRP
$174-46%
$323
Performance per Dollar
112.3+135%
47.7
Release Date
2022
2021

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