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: +34.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+125% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Costs $176 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $350 MSRP).
✅Delivers 387.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 23.0 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $350 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 88W, a 23W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-4790K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-4790K

2014

Why buy it

✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4600, 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.
❌Lower PassMark (8,063 vs 19,532).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 23.0 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($350 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌35.4% higher power demand at 88W vs 65W.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Core i7-4790K

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +34.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+125% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Costs $176 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $350 MSRP).
✅Delivers 387.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 23.0 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $350 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 88W, a 23W reduction.

Why buy it

✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4600, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-4790K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (8,063 vs 19,532).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 23.0 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($350 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌35.4% higher power demand at 88W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Core i7-4790K?

Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 34.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 142.2% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-12400F is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 34.9% 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 i5-12400F is the better fit. You are getting 142.2% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 125% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Core i5-12400F is the smarter buy today. Core i5-12400F is $176 cheaper on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $350 MSRP, and it gives you a 34.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 387.3% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 23.0 PassMark/$), 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 2014), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1150, 125% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 8 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 4/8. 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 i7-4790K Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-4790K
1080p
low	183 FPS	176 FPS
medium	168 FPS	147 FPS
high	139 FPS	118 FPS
ultra	119 FPS	97 FPS
1440p
low	153 FPS	150 FPS
medium	132 FPS	123 FPS
high	106 FPS	99 FPS
ultra	89 FPS	82 FPS
4K
low	87 FPS	81 FPS
medium	81 FPS	72 FPS
high	64 FPS	57 FPS
ultra	49 FPS	44 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i7-4790K

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-4790K
1080p
low	471 FPS	202 FPS
medium	397 FPS	202 FPS
high	341 FPS	202 FPS
ultra	301 FPS	182 FPS
1440p
low	407 FPS	202 FPS
medium	351 FPS	202 FPS
high	309 FPS	192 FPS
ultra	265 FPS	163 FPS
4K
low	282 FPS	188 FPS
medium	248 FPS	165 FPS
high	229 FPS	144 FPS
ultra	196 FPS	117 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i7-4790K

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-4790K
1080p
low	488 FPS	202 FPS
medium	488 FPS	202 FPS
high	488 FPS	202 FPS
ultra	488 FPS	202 FPS
1440p
low	488 FPS	202 FPS
medium	488 FPS	202 FPS
high	485 FPS	202 FPS
ultra	434 FPS	202 FPS
4K
low	442 FPS	202 FPS
medium	389 FPS	202 FPS
high	337 FPS	202 FPS
ultra	274 FPS	202 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i7-4790K

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-4790K
1080p
low	488 FPS	202 FPS
medium	488 FPS	202 FPS
high	488 FPS	202 FPS
ultra	488 FPS	202 FPS
1440p
low	488 FPS	202 FPS
medium	488 FPS	202 FPS
high	488 FPS	202 FPS
ultra	473 FPS	202 FPS
4K
low	488 FPS	202 FPS
medium	450 FPS	202 FPS
high	391 FPS	202 FPS
ultra	330 FPS	202 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i7-4790K

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12400F and Core i7-4790K

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 i7-4790K

The Core i7-4790K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Junho 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Devil's Canyon architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 88 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,063 points. Launch price was $339.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-4790K 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 4.4 GHz on the Core i7-4790K — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.5 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-4790K uses Devil's Canyon (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core i7-4790K's 8,063 — a 83.1% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4790K.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-4790K
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	4 GHz+60%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)+125%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+400%	256K (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-68%	22 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Devil's Canyon
PassMark	19,532+142%	8,063
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4790K uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i7-4790K — the Core i5-12400F supports 50% 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 — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 16 (Core i7-4790K) — 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 Intel 8 series,Intel 9 series (Core i7-4790K).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-4790K
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+67%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+300%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) / not specified (Core i7-4790K). The Core i7-4790K includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4600), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-4790K
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics 4600
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-12400F launched at $174 MSRP, while the Core i7-4790K debuted at $350. On MSRP ($174 vs $350), the Core i5-12400F is $176 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 23.0 pts/$ for the Core i7-4790K — making the Core i5-12400F the 131.9% better value option.