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 Ultra 5 225F 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 Ultra 5 225F: 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 $57 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $231 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core Ultra 5 225F.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 225F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (12,380 vs 17,050).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 112.3 vs 136.5 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $231 MSRP).

Core Ultra 5 225F

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 21.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 136.5 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($231 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
32.8% HIGHER MSRP
$231 MSRPvs$174 MSRP
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 225F better than Core i5-12400F?

Yes. Core Ultra 5 225F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 13.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 37.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 61.5% 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 Ultra 5 225F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 13.9% 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 Ultra 5 225F is the stronger fit. You are getting 37.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 10 cores and 10 threads.

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

Core Ultra 5 225F is the better buy right now. Core Ultra 5 225F comes in 32.8% more expensive on MSRP at $231 MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it still gives you a 13.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 21.6% better value on MSRP (136.5 vs 112.3 PassMark/$), 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.

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

Core Ultra 5 225F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022) and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 10 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12400F vs Core Ultra 5 225F 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 Ultra 5 225F

The Core Ultra 5 225F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) architecture. It features 10 cores and 10 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1851. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 31,541 points. Launch price was $231.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 225F offers 10 cores / 10 threads — the Core Ultra 5 225F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 4.9 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 225F — a 10.8% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225F (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 Ultra 5 225F uses Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core Ultra 5 225F's 31,541 — a 47% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,380 vs 17,050 (31.7% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 2,653, a 43.8% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 13,028 (180.8% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225F). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 20 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 225F.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core Ultra 5 225F
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	10 / 10+67%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.9 GHz+11%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.3 GHz+32%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	20 MB (total)+11%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	3 MB (per core)+140%
Process	Intel 7 nm	3 nm-57%
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025)
PassMark	19,532	31,541+61%
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	17,050+38%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700	2,653+56%
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	13,028+1883%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core Ultra 5 225F uses LGA1851 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 5 225F — the Core Ultra 5 225F supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core Ultra 5 225F supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 24 (Core Ultra 5 225F) — the Core Ultra 5 225F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and Z890,B860 (Core Ultra 5 225F).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core Ultra 5 225F
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1851
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	DDR5-6400+33%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	256 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20	24+20%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 5 225F). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core Ultra 5 225F
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12400F was priced at $174, while the Core Ultra 5 225F came in at $231. On launch pricing ($174 vs $231), Core i5-12400F was $57 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 136.5 pts/$ for the Core Ultra 5 225F — making the Core Ultra 5 225F the 19.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core Ultra 5 225F
MSRP	$174-25%	$231
Performance per Dollar	112.3	136.5+22%
Release Date	2022	2025

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