Core i5-12400F vs Core i7-3687U

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 i7-3687U 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 i7-3687U: 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: +248.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+350% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of BGA1023 and older memory support.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (657 vs 1,240).
❌Launch MSRP is still $174 MSRP, while Core i7-3687U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-3687U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-3687U

2013

Why buy it

✅+88.7% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4000, 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 (4 MB vs 18 MB).
❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on BGA1023, 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 i7-3687U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-12400F is ahead with a 248.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-3687U pulls ahead with 88.7% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i5-12400F also has the bigger cache pool with 350% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 4 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-3687U is the stronger fit. You are getting 88.7% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 4 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 $174 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 248.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-3687U is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 88.7% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2013), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of BGA1023, and 350% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 4 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12400F vs Core i7-3687U 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 i7-3687U

The Core i7-3687U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,621 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-3687U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-12400F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-3687U — a 28.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-3687U uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core i7-3687U's 2,621 — a 152.7% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 640, a 90.6% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 1,240 (61.5% advantage for the Core i7-3687U). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3687U.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-3687U
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+200%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+33%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+19%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)+350%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	Intel 7 nm-68%	22 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	19,532+645%	2,621
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700+166%	640
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	1,240+89%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3687U uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i7-3687U — the Core i5-12400F supports 200% 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 32 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 16 (Core i7-3687U) — the Core i5-12400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and QM77,QS77 (Core i7-3687U).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-3687U
Socket	LGA1700	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+200%	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+300%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-3687U). The Core i7-3687U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Core i7-3687U targets Enthusiast. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; Core i7-3687U rivals Ryzen 7 3700U.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-3687U
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	Enthusiast