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 235HX 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 235HX: 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

✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core Ultra 5 235HX.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 235HX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (12,380 vs 21,677).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $174 MSRP, while Core Ultra 5 235HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.

Core Ultra 5 235HX

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +15.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Graphics (48EU), while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 235HX better than Core i5-12400F?

Yes. Core Ultra 5 235HX is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 15.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 75.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 105.4% 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 235HX is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 15.0% 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 Ultra 5 235HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 75.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 14 cores and 14 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).

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

Core Ultra 5 235HX is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core Ultra 5 235HX comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it still gives you a 15.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12400F is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 Ultra 5 235HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 14 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 235HX 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 235HX

The Core Ultra 5 235HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 13 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-HX (2025) architecture. It features 14 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2114. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 40,122 points. Launch price was $499.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 235HX offers 14 cores / 14 threads — the Core Ultra 5 235HX has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 5.1 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 235HX — a 14.7% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 235HX (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 235HX uses Arrow Lake-HX (2025) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core Ultra 5 235HX's 40,122 — a 69% lead for the Core Ultra 5 235HX. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,380 vs 21,677 (54.6% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 235HX). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 2,600, a 41.9% lead for the Core Ultra 5 235HX that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 14,000 (182.1% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 235HX). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 24 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 235HX.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core Ultra 5 235HX
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	14 / 14+133%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	5.1 GHz+16%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.9 GHz+16%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	24 MB (total)+33%
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-HX (2025)
PassMark	19,532	40,122+105%
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	21,677+75%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700	2,600+53%
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	14,000+2031%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core Ultra 5 235HX uses FCBGA2114 (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 235HX — the Core Ultra 5 235HX supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core Ultra 5 235HX supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 24 (Core Ultra 5 235HX) — the Core Ultra 5 235HX offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and HM870,WM880 (Core Ultra 5 235HX).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core Ultra 5 235HX
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA2114
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	DDR5-6400+33%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	192 GB+50%
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 235HX). The Core Ultra 5 235HX includes integrated graphics (Intel Graphics (48EU)), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Core Ultra 5 235HX targets Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core Ultra 5 235HX
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel Graphics (48EU)
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	Laptop