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 i9-10900T 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 i9-10900T: 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: +5.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i9-10900T.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (657 vs 7,476).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 112.3 vs 122.7 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $120 MSRP).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-10900T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i9-10900T

2020

Why buy it

✅+1037.9% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Costs $54 less on MSRP ($120 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
✅Delivers 9.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 122.7 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($120 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W 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 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-10900T better than Core i5-12400F?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-12400F is ahead with a 5.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-10900T pulls ahead with 1037.9% better Geekbench multi-core.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-10900T is the stronger fit. You are getting 1037.9% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads.

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

Core i9-10900T is the better buy right now. Core i9-10900T comes in $54 cheaper on MSRP at $120 MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it still gives you 1037.9% better Geekbench multi-core. The compromise is that Core i5-12400F is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 5.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 9.3% better value on MSRP (122.7 vs 112.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1700 + DDR5 setup, Core i5-12400F can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap, but on MSRP alone you would want to find it meaningfully cheaper in real-world listings before that path becomes easy to justify.

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 2020) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12400F vs Core i9-10900T 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 i9-10900T

The Core i9-10900T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2020 (5 years ago). It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 14,727 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i9-10900T offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Core i9-10900T has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i9-10900T — a 4.4% clock advantage for the Core i9-10900T (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Core i5-12400F is built on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core i9-10900T's 14,727 — a 28.1% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 1,710, a 0.6% lead for the Core i9-10900T that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 7,476 (167.7% advantage for the Core i9-10900T). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 20 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i9-10900T.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i9-10900T
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	10 / 20+67%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.6 GHz+5%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+32%	1.9 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	20 MB Intel® Smart Cache+11%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	—
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	—
PassMark	19,532+33%	14,727
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700	1,710
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	7,476+1038%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i9-10900T uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus DDR4-2933 on the Core i9-10900T — the Core i5-12400F supports 63.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 16 (Core i9-10900T) — 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 Z490,H470,B460,H410,Z590,B560,H510 (Core i9-10900T).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i9-10900T
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+64%	DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 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 Yes (Core i9-10900T). The Core i9-10900T 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. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i9-10900T
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel UHD Graphics 630
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 i9-10900T came in at $120. On launch pricing ($174 vs $120), Core i9-10900T was $54 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 122.7 pts/$ for the Core i9-10900T — making the Core i9-10900T the 8.9% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i9-10900T
MSRP	$174	$120-31%
Performance per Dollar	112.3	122.7+9%
Release Date	2022	2020

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