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

✅+0.9% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅Costs $365 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $539 MSRP).
✅Delivers 166.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 42.1 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $539 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1787 and DDR4.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i9-11900KB.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-11900KB across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 24 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-11900KB can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i9-11900KB

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.2% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (12,264 vs 12,380).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 42.1 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($539 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1787 with DDR4, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Core i9-11900KB

2021

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅Costs $365 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $539 MSRP).
✅Delivers 166.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 42.1 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $539 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1787 and DDR4.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i9-11900KB.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.2% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-11900KB across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 24 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-11900KB can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (12,264 vs 12,380).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 42.1 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($539 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1787 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 i9-11900KB?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Core i9-11900KB is ahead with a 7.2% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12400F pulls ahead with 0.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core i9-11900KB also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).

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 0.9% better Cinebench R23 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 $365 cheaper on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $539 MSRP, and it gives you 0.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. The trade-off is that Core i9-11900KB is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 7.2% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 166.6% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 42.1 PassMark/$), 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 2021), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1787, and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/16. 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 i9-11900KB Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i9-11900KB
1080p
low	183 FPS	250 FPS
medium	168 FPS	231 FPS
high	139 FPS	194 FPS
ultra	119 FPS	167 FPS
1440p
low	153 FPS	222 FPS
medium	132 FPS	186 FPS
high	106 FPS	152 FPS
ultra	89 FPS	134 FPS
4K
low	87 FPS	155 FPS
medium	81 FPS	131 FPS
high	64 FPS	102 FPS
ultra	49 FPS	89 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i9-11900KB

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i9-11900KB
1080p
low	471 FPS	567 FPS
medium	397 FPS	490 FPS
high	341 FPS	410 FPS
ultra	301 FPS	374 FPS
1440p
low	407 FPS	475 FPS
medium	351 FPS	421 FPS
high	309 FPS	365 FPS
ultra	265 FPS	317 FPS
4K
low	282 FPS	293 FPS
medium	248 FPS	262 FPS
high	229 FPS	247 FPS
ultra	196 FPS	219 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i9-11900KB

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i9-11900KB
1080p
low	488 FPS	567 FPS
medium	488 FPS	567 FPS
high	488 FPS	488 FPS
ultra	488 FPS	388 FPS
1440p
low	488 FPS	567 FPS
medium	488 FPS	501 FPS
high	485 FPS	426 FPS
ultra	434 FPS	346 FPS
4K
low	442 FPS	430 FPS
medium	389 FPS	369 FPS
high	337 FPS	325 FPS
ultra	274 FPS	260 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i9-11900KB

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i9-11900KB
1080p
low	488 FPS	567 FPS
medium	488 FPS	567 FPS
high	488 FPS	567 FPS
ultra	488 FPS	567 FPS
1440p
low	488 FPS	567 FPS
medium	488 FPS	567 FPS
high	488 FPS	567 FPS
ultra	473 FPS	492 FPS
4K
low	488 FPS	523 FPS
medium	450 FPS	469 FPS
high	391 FPS	417 FPS
ultra	330 FPS	358 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i9-11900KB

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12400F and Core i9-11900KB

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 i9-11900KB

The Core i9-11900KB is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Maio 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 22,693 points. Launch price was $539.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i9-11900KB offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i9-11900KB has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i9-11900KB — a 10.8% clock advantage for the Core i9-11900KB (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-11900KB uses Tiger Lake-H (2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core i9-11900KB's 22,693 — a 15% lead for the Core i9-11900KB. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,380 vs 12,264 (0.9% advantage for the Core i5-12400F). Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 10,645 (176.7% advantage for the Core i9-11900KB). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-11900KB.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i9-11900KB
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.9 GHz+11%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.3 GHz+32%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	24 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-30%	10 nm SuperFin
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Tiger Lake-H (2021)
PassMark	19,532	22,693+16%
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	12,264
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	10,645+1520%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i9-11900KB uses FCBGA1787 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus DDR4-3200 on the Core i9-11900KB — the Core i5-12400F supports 22.2% 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. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and Mobile (Core i9-11900KB).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i9-11900KB
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA1787
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+25%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-11900KB). The Core i9-11900KB includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics), 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 i9-11900KB
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel UHD Graphics
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-12400F launched at $174 MSRP, while the Core i9-11900KB debuted at $539. On MSRP ($174 vs $539), the Core i5-12400F is $365 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 42.1 pts/$ for the Core i9-11900KB — making the Core i5-12400F the 90.9% better value option.