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

✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1787 and DDR4.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-11850H.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-11850H across 30 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (19,532 vs 19,873).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $174 MSRP, while Core i7-11850H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Core i7-11850H

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.5% higher average FPS across 30 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Older platform position on FCBGA1787 with DDR4, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Core i7-11850H

2021

Why buy it

✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1787 and DDR4.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-11850H.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.5% higher average FPS across 30 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-11850H across 30 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (19,532 vs 19,873).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $174 MSRP, while Core i7-11850H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Trade-offs

❌Older platform position on FCBGA1787 with DDR4, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-11850H better than Core i5-12400F?

Yes. Core i7-11850H is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 13.5% average FPS lead across 30 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.7% better PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-11850H is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 13.5% more average FPS across 30 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-11850H is the better fit. You are getting 1.7% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).

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

Core i7-11850H is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12400F makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i7-11850H is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it gives you a 13.5% average FPS lead across 30 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12400F is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

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 2021) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1787. 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 i7-11850H Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-11850H
1080p
low	183 FPS	280 FPS
medium	168 FPS	250 FPS
high	139 FPS	213 FPS
ultra	119 FPS	182 FPS
1440p
low	153 FPS	236 FPS
medium	132 FPS	190 FPS
high	106 FPS	156 FPS
ultra	89 FPS	137 FPS
4K
low	87 FPS	165 FPS
medium	81 FPS	134 FPS
high	64 FPS	104 FPS
ultra	49 FPS	90 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i7-11850H

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-11850H
1080p
low	471 FPS	497 FPS
medium	397 FPS	497 FPS
high	341 FPS	437 FPS
ultra	301 FPS	394 FPS
1440p
low	407 FPS	497 FPS
medium	351 FPS	460 FPS
high	309 FPS	388 FPS
ultra	265 FPS	333 FPS
4K
low	282 FPS	340 FPS
medium	248 FPS	288 FPS
high	229 FPS	264 FPS
ultra	196 FPS	232 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i7-11850H

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-11850H
1080p
low	488 FPS	497 FPS
medium	488 FPS	497 FPS
high	488 FPS	497 FPS
ultra	488 FPS	497 FPS
1440p
low	488 FPS	497 FPS
medium	488 FPS	497 FPS
high	485 FPS	497 FPS
ultra	434 FPS	487 FPS
4K
low	442 FPS	497 FPS
medium	389 FPS	480 FPS
high	337 FPS	427 FPS
ultra	274 FPS	356 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i7-11850H

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-11850H
1080p
low	488 FPS	497 FPS
medium	488 FPS	497 FPS
high	488 FPS	497 FPS
ultra	488 FPS	497 FPS
1440p
low	488 FPS	497 FPS
medium	488 FPS	497 FPS
high	488 FPS	497 FPS
ultra	473 FPS	497 FPS
4K
low	488 FPS	497 FPS
medium	450 FPS	497 FPS
high	391 FPS	497 FPS
ultra	330 FPS	431 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i7-11850H

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12400F and Core i7-11850H

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 i7-11850H

The Core i7-11850H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,873 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-11850H offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i7-11850H has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-11850H — a 8.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-11850H (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 i7-11850H uses Tiger Lake-H (2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core i7-11850H's 19,873 — a 1.7% lead for the Core i7-11850H. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 1,911, a 11.7% lead for the Core i7-11850H that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i7-11850H.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-11850H
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.8 GHz+9%
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 SuperFin
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Tiger Lake-H (2021)
PassMark	19,532	19,873+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700	1,911+12%
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-11850H uses FCBGA1787 (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 i7-11850H — the Core i5-12400F supports 22.2% 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 HM570,QM580,WM590 (Core i7-11850H).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-11850H
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA1787
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+25%	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 i7-11850H includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Core i7-11850H targets Workstation Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; Core i7-11850H rivals Ryzen 7 5800H.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-11850H
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD Graphics
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	Workstation Laptop