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: +74.3% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 9 MB).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of BGA1440 and DDR4.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-9850HE.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (657 vs 5,990).
❌Launch MSRP is still $174 MSRP, while Core i7-9850HE mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9850HE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-9850HE

2019

Why buy it

✅+811.7% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 630, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (9 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Older platform position on BGA1440 with DDR4, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Core i7-9850HE

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +74.3% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 9 MB).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of BGA1440 and DDR4.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-9850HE.

Why buy it

✅+811.7% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 630, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (657 vs 5,990).
❌Launch MSRP is still $174 MSRP, while Core i7-9850HE mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9850HE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (9 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Older platform position on BGA1440 with DDR4, 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 i7-9850HE?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Core i5-12400F is ahead with a 74.3% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-9850HE pulls ahead with 811.7% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i5-12400F also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 9 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-9850HE is the better fit. You are getting 811.7% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-12400F is the smarter buy today. Core i5-12400F is at an unclear MSRP at $174 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 74.3% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that Core i7-9850HE is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 811.7% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2019), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of BGA1440, and 100% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 9 MB). 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 i7-9850HE Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-9850HE
1080p
low	183 FPS	176 FPS
medium	168 FPS	144 FPS
high	139 FPS	118 FPS
ultra	119 FPS	96 FPS
1440p
low	153 FPS	149 FPS
medium	132 FPS	121 FPS
high	106 FPS	99 FPS
ultra	89 FPS	80 FPS
4K
low	87 FPS	81 FPS
medium	81 FPS	71 FPS
high	64 FPS	56 FPS
ultra	49 FPS	44 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i7-9850HE

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-9850HE
1080p
low	471 FPS	249 FPS
medium	397 FPS	249 FPS
high	341 FPS	241 FPS
ultra	301 FPS	207 FPS
1440p
low	407 FPS	249 FPS
medium	351 FPS	239 FPS
high	309 FPS	219 FPS
ultra	265 FPS	189 FPS
4K
low	282 FPS	244 FPS
medium	248 FPS	211 FPS
high	229 FPS	192 FPS
ultra	196 FPS	160 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i7-9850HE

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-9850HE
1080p
low	488 FPS	249 FPS
medium	488 FPS	249 FPS
high	488 FPS	249 FPS
ultra	488 FPS	249 FPS
1440p
low	488 FPS	249 FPS
medium	488 FPS	249 FPS
high	485 FPS	249 FPS
ultra	434 FPS	249 FPS
4K
low	442 FPS	249 FPS
medium	389 FPS	249 FPS
high	337 FPS	249 FPS
ultra	274 FPS	249 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i7-9850HE

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-9850HE
1080p
low	488 FPS	249 FPS
medium	488 FPS	249 FPS
high	488 FPS	249 FPS
ultra	488 FPS	249 FPS
1440p
low	488 FPS	249 FPS
medium	488 FPS	249 FPS
high	488 FPS	249 FPS
ultra	473 FPS	249 FPS
4K
low	488 FPS	249 FPS
medium	450 FPS	249 FPS
high	391 FPS	249 FPS
ultra	330 FPS	249 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i7-9850HE

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12400F and Core i7-9850HE

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 i7-9850HE

The Core i7-9850HE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Junho 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-HR (2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,972 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-12400F and Core i7-9850HE share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i7-9850HE — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-9850HE uses Coffee Lake-HR (2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core i7-9850HE's 9,972 — a 64.8% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 1,329, a 24.5% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 5,990 (160.5% advantage for the Core i7-9850HE). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 9 MB (total) on the Core i7-9850HE.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-9850HE
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.7 GHz+8%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)+100%	9 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+400%	256K (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Coffee Lake-HR (2019)
PassMark	19,532+96%	9,972
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700+28%	1,329
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	5,990+812%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-9850HE uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus DDR4 2666 MHz on the Core i7-9850HE — the Core i7-9850HE 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 64 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 16 (Core i7-9850HE) — 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 QM370,Intel HM370 (Core i7-9850HE).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-9850HE
Socket	LGA1700	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+25%	DDR4 2666 MHz
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 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 true (Core i7-9850HE). The Core i7-9850HE includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Core i7-9850HE targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-9850HE
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	true
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	Embedded