Core i5-12400F vs Core i9-12900KS

CPU

GPU

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

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Core i9-12900KS

16 Cores24 Thrd150 WWMax: 5.3 GHz2022

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Core i5-12400F vs Core i9-12900KS Performance Spectrum

Core i5-12400F

6 / 12

19,532

0.0%

43,528

+122.9%

About PassMark

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 i9-12900KS 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 i9-12900KS: 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

✅Costs $565 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $739 MSRP).
✅Delivers 90.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 58.9 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $739 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 150W, a 85W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i9-12900KS.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-12900KS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (12,380 vs 27,796).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 30 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-12900KS can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i9-12900KS

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +26.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD 770, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 58.9 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($739 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌130.8% higher power demand at 150W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-12900KS better than Core i5-12400F?

Yes. Core i9-12900KS is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 26.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 124.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 122.9% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-12900KS is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 26.0% 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 i9-12900KS is the stronger fit. You are getting 124.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 18 MB).

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

Core i9-12900KS is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-12900KS comes in 324.7% more expensive on MSRP at $739 MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it still gives you a 26.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12400F is also 90.6% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 58.9 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i9-12900KS makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 66.7% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 18 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 24 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-12400F vs Core i9-12900KS 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 i9-12900KS

The Core i9-12900KS is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.3 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 43,528 points. Launch price was $499.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i9-12900KS offers 16 cores / 24 threads — the Core i9-12900KS has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 5.3 GHz on the Core i9-12900KS — a 18.6% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900KS (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). Both are built on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture using a Intel 7 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core i9-12900KS's 43,528 — a 76.1% lead for the Core i9-12900KS. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,380 vs 27,796 (76.7% advantage for the Core i9-12900KS). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 2,082, a 20.2% lead for the Core i9-12900KS that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 30 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900KS.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i9-12900KS
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	16 / 24+167%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	5.3 GHz+20%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.4 GHz+36%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	30 MB (total)+67%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	19,532	43,528+123%
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	27,796+125%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700	2,082+22%
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 memory speed. 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 LGA1700 (Core i9-12900KS).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i9-12900KS
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-12900KS). The Core i9-12900KS includes integrated graphics (UHD 770), 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 i9-12900KS
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD 770
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12400F was priced at $174, while the Core i9-12900KS came in at $739. On launch pricing ($174 vs $739), Core i5-12400F was $565 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 58.9 pts/$ for the Core i9-12900KS — making the Core i5-12400F the 62.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i9-12900KS
MSRP	$174-76%	$739
Performance per Dollar	112.3+91%	58.9
Release Date	2022	2022

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