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

✅Costs $210 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $384 MSRP).
✅Delivers 26.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 88.7 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $384 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-12700KF.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-12700KF across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (19,532 vs 34,056).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 25 MB).

Core i7-12700KF

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +37.1% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+38.9% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 18 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 88.7 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($384 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Core i7-12700KF

2021

Why buy it

✅Costs $210 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $384 MSRP).
✅Delivers 26.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 88.7 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $384 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-12700KF.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +37.1% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+38.9% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 18 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-12700KF across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (19,532 vs 34,056).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 25 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 88.7 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($384 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

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

Yes. Core i7-12700KF is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 37.1% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data and 74.4% better PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-12700KF is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 37.1% more average FPS across 3 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-12700KF is the better fit. You are getting 74.4% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 20 threads. It also carries 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 i7-12700KF is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12400F makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i7-12700KF is 120.7% more expensive on MSRP at $384 MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it gives you a 37.1% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12400F is also 26.6% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 88.7 PassMark/$), 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). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

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 i7-12700KF Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-12700KF
1080p
low	183 FPS	314 FPS
medium	168 FPS	295 FPS
high	139 FPS	246 FPS
ultra	119 FPS	193 FPS
1440p
low	153 FPS	269 FPS
medium	132 FPS	225 FPS
high	106 FPS	182 FPS
ultra	89 FPS	145 FPS
4K
low	87 FPS	170 FPS
medium	81 FPS	142 FPS
high	64 FPS	109 FPS
ultra	49 FPS	96 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i7-12700KF

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-12700KF
1080p
low	471 FPS	630 FPS
medium	397 FPS	533 FPS
high	341 FPS	450 FPS
ultra	301 FPS	410 FPS
1440p
low	407 FPS	536 FPS
medium	351 FPS	475 FPS
high	309 FPS	403 FPS
ultra	265 FPS	349 FPS
4K
low	282 FPS	312 FPS
medium	248 FPS	280 FPS
high	229 FPS	266 FPS
ultra	196 FPS	234 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i7-12700KF

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-12700KF
1080p
low	488 FPS	797 FPS
medium	488 FPS	633 FPS
high	488 FPS	560 FPS
ultra	488 FPS	475 FPS
1440p
low	488 FPS	704 FPS
medium	488 FPS	565 FPS
high	485 FPS	493 FPS
ultra	434 FPS	424 FPS
4K
low	442 FPS	510 FPS
medium	389 FPS	425 FPS
high	337 FPS	381 FPS
ultra	274 FPS	321 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i7-12700KF

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-12700KF
1080p
low	488 FPS	851 FPS
medium	488 FPS	821 FPS
high	488 FPS	715 FPS
ultra	488 FPS	642 FPS
1440p
low	488 FPS	769 FPS
medium	488 FPS	686 FPS
high	488 FPS	597 FPS
ultra	473 FPS	525 FPS
4K
low	488 FPS	541 FPS
medium	450 FPS	493 FPS
high	391 FPS	442 FPS
ultra	330 FPS	388 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i7-12700KF

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12400F and Core i7-12700KF

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 i7-12700KF

The Core i7-12700KF is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 November 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture. It features 12 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 5 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): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 34,056 points. Launch price was $384.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-12700KF offers 12 cores / 20 threads — the Core i7-12700KF has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 5 GHz on the Core i7-12700KF — a 12.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-12700KF (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-12700KF uses Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core i7-12700KF's 34,056 — a 54.2% lead for the Core i7-12700KF. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700KF.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-12700KF
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	12 / 20+100%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	5 GHz+14%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.6 GHz+44%
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, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)
PassMark	19,532	34,056+74%
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 3.0. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus 4800 on the Core i7-12700KF — the Core i7-12700KF supports 199.6% 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 Z690,B660 (Core i7-12700KF).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-12700KF
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	4800+95900%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+104857500%	128
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-12700KF). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; Core i7-12700KF rivals Ryzen 7 5800X.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-12700KF
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-12400F launched at $174 MSRP, while the Core i7-12700KF debuted at $384. On MSRP ($174 vs $384), the Core i5-12400F is $210 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 88.7 pts/$ for the Core i7-12700KF — making the Core i5-12400F the 23.5% better value option.