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 i7-860S 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 i7-860S: 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: +248.0% higher average FPS across 36 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+125% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Costs $125 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
✅Delivers 1344.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 7.8 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 82W, a 17W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (657 vs 1,332).

Core i7-860S

2010

Why buy it

✅+102.7% higher Geekbench multi-core.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 36 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.8 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌26.2% higher power demand at 82W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1156, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Core i7-860S?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-12400F is ahead with a 248.0% average FPS lead across 36 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-860S pulls ahead with 102.7% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i5-12400F also has the bigger cache pool with 125% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 8 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-860S is the stronger fit. You are getting 102.7% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 8 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 $125 cheaper on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $299 MSRP, and it still gives you a 248.0% average FPS lead across 36 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-860S is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 102.7% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 1344.2% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 7.8 PassMark/$), 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 2010), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1156, and 125% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 8 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12400F vs Core i7-860S 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 i7-860S

The Core i7-860S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 82 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,324 points. Launch price was $422.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-860S 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 3.46 GHz on the Core i7-860S — a 23.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-860S uses Lynnfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core i7-860S's 2,324 — a 157.5% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 451, a 116.1% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 1,332 (67.9% advantage for the Core i7-860S). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-860S.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-860S
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+27%	3.46 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.53 GHz+1%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)+125%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+400%	256 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-84%	45 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Lynnfield (2009−2010)
PassMark	19,532+740%	2,324
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700+277%	451
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	1,332+103%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-860S uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i7-860S — the Core i5-12400F supports 260.1% 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 16 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 16 (Core i7-860S) — 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 P55,H55,H57,Q57 (Core i7-860S).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-860S
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1156
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+260%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+700%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs Yes (Core i7-860S). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-860S
Integrated GPU	No	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	Yes
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12400F was priced at $174, while the Core i7-860S came in at $299. On launch pricing ($174 vs $299), Core i5-12400F was $125 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 7.8 pts/$ for the Core i7-860S — making the Core i5-12400F the 174.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-860S
MSRP	$174-42%	$299
Performance per Dollar	112.3+1340%	7.8
Release Date	2022	2010

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