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: +56.3% higher average FPS across 4 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 4 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.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Core i7-1185G7

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +56.3% higher average FPS across 4 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.

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

❌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.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 4 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 matters more to you. For gaming, Core i5-12400F is ahead with a 56.3% average FPS lead across 4 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 better 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 smarter buy today. Core i5-12400F is at an unclear MSRP at $174 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 56.3% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that Core i7-1185G7 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 691.5% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so 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 i5-12400F is the more future-proof choice 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 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 i7-1185G7 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-1185G7
1080p
low	183 FPS	251 FPS
medium	168 FPS	247 FPS
high	139 FPS	207 FPS
ultra	119 FPS	177 FPS
1440p
low	153 FPS	239 FPS
medium	132 FPS	191 FPS
high	106 FPS	155 FPS
ultra	89 FPS	136 FPS
4K
low	87 FPS	167 FPS
medium	81 FPS	135 FPS
high	64 FPS	104 FPS
ultra	49 FPS	90 FPS

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

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-1185G7
1080p
low	471 FPS	251 FPS
medium	397 FPS	251 FPS
high	341 FPS	251 FPS
ultra	301 FPS	214 FPS
1440p
low	407 FPS	251 FPS
medium	351 FPS	248 FPS
high	309 FPS	225 FPS
ultra	265 FPS	188 FPS
4K
low	282 FPS	229 FPS
medium	248 FPS	190 FPS
high	229 FPS	160 FPS
ultra	196 FPS	131 FPS

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

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-1185G7
1080p
low	488 FPS	251 FPS
medium	488 FPS	251 FPS
high	488 FPS	251 FPS
ultra	488 FPS	251 FPS
1440p
low	488 FPS	251 FPS
medium	488 FPS	251 FPS
high	485 FPS	251 FPS
ultra	434 FPS	251 FPS
4K
low	442 FPS	251 FPS
medium	389 FPS	251 FPS
high	337 FPS	251 FPS
ultra	274 FPS	251 FPS

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

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-1185G7
1080p
low	488 FPS	251 FPS
medium	488 FPS	251 FPS
high	488 FPS	251 FPS
ultra	488 FPS	251 FPS
1440p
low	488 FPS	251 FPS
medium	488 FPS	251 FPS
high	488 FPS	251 FPS
ultra	473 FPS	251 FPS
4K
low	488 FPS	251 FPS
medium	450 FPS	251 FPS
high	391 FPS	251 FPS
ultra	330 FPS	251 FPS

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

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12400F and Core i7-1185G7

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.

⚡

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%

🧠

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 22.2% 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 — 66.7% 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+25%	LPDDR4x-4267
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
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 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