Core i5-12400F vs Core i9-9900KS

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 i9-9900KS 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 i9-9900KS: 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

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $339 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $513 MSRP).
✅Delivers 196.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 37.8 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $513 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 127W, a 62W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9900KS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Core i9-9900KS

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (19,397 vs 19,532).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.8 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($513 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌95.4% higher power demand at 127W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 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 i9-9900KS?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-9900KS is ahead with a 11.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12400F pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12400F is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 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 $339 cheaper on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $513 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i9-9900KS is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 11.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 196.9% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 37.8 PassMark/$), 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 2019), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151, and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12400F vs Core i9-9900KS 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 i9-9900KS

The Core i9-9900KS is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 October 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 127 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,397 points. Launch price was $513.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i9-9900KS offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i9-9900KS has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 5 GHz on the Core i9-9900KS — a 12.8% clock advantage for the Core i9-9900KS (base: 2.5 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-9900KS uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core i9-9900KS's 19,397 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900KS.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i9-9900KS
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	5 GHz+14%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	4 GHz+60%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)+13%	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+400%	256 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
PassMark	19,532	19,397
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i9-9900KS uses LGA1151 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i9-9900KS
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) / not specified (Core i9-9900KS). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i9-9900KS
Integrated GPU	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12400F was priced at $174, while the Core i9-9900KS came in at $513. On launch pricing ($174 vs $513), Core i5-12400F was $339 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 37.8 pts/$ for the Core i9-9900KS — making the Core i5-12400F the 99.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i9-9900KS
MSRP	$174-66%	$513
Performance per Dollar	112.3+197%	37.8
Release Date	2022	2019

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