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 i7-12700F 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 i7-12700F: 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

✅Costs $140 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $314 MSRP).
✅Delivers 16.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 96.6 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $314 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-12700F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (12,380 vs 21,500).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 25 MB).

Core i7-12700F

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+38.9% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 18 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 96.6 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($314 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-12700F better than Core i5-12400F?

Yes. Core i7-12700F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 11.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 73.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 55.3% higher 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 i7-12700F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 11.5% 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 i7-12700F is the stronger fit. You are getting 73.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 12 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 38.9% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 18 MB).

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

Core i7-12700F is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-12700F comes in 80.5% more expensive on MSRP at $314 MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12400F is also 16.2% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 96.6 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i7-12700F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 38.9% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 18 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 20 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-12400F vs Core i7-12700F 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 i7-12700F

The Core i7-12700F 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 12 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 25 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: 30,332 points. Launch price was $386.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-12700F offers 12 cores / 20 threads — the Core i7-12700F has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-12700F — a 10.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-12700F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). Both are built on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture using a Intel 7 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core i7-12700F's 30,332 — a 43.3% lead for the Core i7-12700F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,380 vs 21,500 (53.8% advantage for the Core i7-12700F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 2,388, a 33.7% lead for the Core i7-12700F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 12,448 (179.9% advantage for the Core i7-12700F). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700F.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-12700F
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	12 / 20+100%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.9 GHz+11%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+19%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	25 MB (total)+39%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	19,532	30,332+55%
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	21,500+74%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700	2,388+40%
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	12,448+1795%

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 memory speed. 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 Z790,B760,Z690,B660 (Core i7-12700F).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-12700F
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	DDR5-4800
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. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Core i7-12700F targets High-performance Gaming / Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; Core i7-12700F rivals Ryzen 7 5800X.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-12700F
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	High-performance Gaming / Productivity

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12400F was priced at $174, while the Core i7-12700F came in at $314. On launch pricing ($174 vs $314), Core i5-12400F was $140 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 96.6 pts/$ for the Core i7-12700F — making the Core i5-12400F the 15% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-12700F
MSRP	$174-45%	$314
Performance per Dollar	112.3+16%	96.6
Release Date	2022	2022

Search Core i5-12400F on Amazon

Search Core i7-12700F on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.