Core i5-12400F vs Core i7-14650HX

Intel

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
Core family
·······
VS
Intel

Core i7-14650HX

16 Cores24 Thrd55 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2024
Core family
···

Core i5-12400F vs Core i7-14650HX Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 i7-14650HX 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 i7-14650HX: 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

  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-14650HX.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-14650HX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (12,380 vs 23,000).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 30 MB).
  • Launch MSRP is still $174 MSRP, while Core i7-14650HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.

Core i7-14650HX

2024

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +5.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +66.7% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 18 MB).
  • Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics (32 EU), while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-14650HX better than Core i5-12400F?
Yes. Core i7-14650HX is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 85.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 77.1% 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 i7-14650HX is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.4% 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 i7-14650HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 85.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 18 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-14650HX is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-14650HX comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12400F is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i7-14650HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2022), 66.7% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 18 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 24 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12400F vs Core i7-14650HX Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Intel

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.

Intel

Core i7-14650HX

The Core i7-14650HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-HX Refresh (2024) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 34,598 points. Launch price was $499.

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-14650HX offers 16 cores / 24 threads — the Core i7-14650HX has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 5.1 GHz on the Core i7-14650HX — a 14.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-14650HX (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-14650HX uses Raptor Lake-HX Refresh (2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core i7-14650HX's 34,598 — a 55.7% lead for the Core i7-14650HX. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,380 vs 23,000 (60% advantage for the Core i7-14650HX). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 2,770, a 47.9% lead for the Core i7-14650HX that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 14,930 (183.1% advantage for the Core i7-14650HX). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 30 MB (total) on the Core i7-14650HX.

FeatureCore i5-12400FCore i7-14650HX
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
16 / 24+167%
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz
5.1 GHz+16%
Base Clock
2.5 GHz+14%
2.2 GHz
L3 Cache
18 MB (total)
30 MB (total)+67%
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
2 MB (per core)+60%
Process
Intel 7 nm
Intel 7 nm
Architecture
Alder Lake-S (2022)
Raptor Lake-HX Refresh (2024)
PassMark
19,532
34,598+77%
Cinebench R23 Multi
12,380
23,000+86%
Geekbench 6 Single
1,700
2,770+63%
Geekbench 6 Multi
657
14,930+2172%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-14650HX uses FCBGA1964 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200 on the Core i7-14650HX — the Core i7-14650HX supports 16.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-14650HX supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB 50% 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 HM770,WM790 (Core i7-14650HX).

FeatureCore i5-12400FCore i7-14650HX
Socket
LGA1700
FCBGA1964
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200+17%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
192 GB+50%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
20
🔧

Advanced Features

Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. The Core i7-14650HX includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics (32 EU)), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Core i7-14650HX targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; Core i7-14650HX rivals Core i7-13700HX.

FeatureCore i5-12400FCore i7-14650HX
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics (32 EU)
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Gaming Performance/Value
Gaming