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 i7-1185G7 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 i7-1185G7: 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

✅Better for gaming: +22.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1449 and DDR4.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-1185G7.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (657 vs 5,200).
❌Launch MSRP is still $174 MSRP, while Core i7-1185G7 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌132.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 28W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-1185G7 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-1185G7

2020

Why buy it

✅+691.5% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Draws 28W instead of 65W, a 37W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics G7, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1449 with DDR4, 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 i7-1185G7?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-12400F is ahead with a 22.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-1185G7 pulls ahead with 691.5% better Geekbench multi-core. 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 i7-1185G7 is the stronger fit. You are getting 691.5% 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 better buy right now. Core i5-12400F comes in at an unclear MSRP at $174 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 22.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-1185G7 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 691.5% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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 2020), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1449, and 50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12400F vs Core i7-1185G7 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 i7-1185G7

The Core i7-1185G7 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1449. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 10,033 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-1185G7 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 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-1185G7 — a 8.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-1185G7 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-1185G7 uses Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core i7-1185G7's 10,033 — a 64.3% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 1,700, a 0% lead for the Core i7-1185G7 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 5,200 (155.1% advantage for the Core i7-1185G7). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-1185G7.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-1185G7
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.8 GHz+9%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3 GHz+20%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)+50%	12 MB (total)
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-UP3 (2020−2021)
PassMark	19,532+95%	10,033
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700	1,700
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	5,200+691%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-1185G7 uses FCBGA1449 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus LPDDR4x-4267 on the Core i7-1185G7 — the Core i5-12400F supports 12.5% 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 64 GB — 100% 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 Tiger Lake-U (Core i7-1185G7).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-1185G7
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA1449
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+12%	LPDDR4x-4267
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20	20

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-1185G7). The Core i7-1185G7 includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics G7), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Core i7-1185G7 targets Thin & Light Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-1185G7
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Iris Xe Graphics G7
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	Thin & Light Laptop