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

✅Costs $96 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $270 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core Ultra 5 245T.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 245T across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (19,532 vs 32,444).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 24 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 5 245T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core Ultra 5 245T

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +17.3% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Arc Xe-LPG 64EU, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌
55.2% HIGHER MSRP
$270 MSRPvs$174 MSRP
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Core Ultra 5 245T

2025

Why buy it

✅Costs $96 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $270 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core Ultra 5 245T.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +17.3% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Arc Xe-LPG 64EU, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 245T across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (19,532 vs 32,444).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 24 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 5 245T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌
55.2% HIGHER MSRP
$270 MSRPvs$174 MSRP
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 245T better than Core i5-12400F?

Yes. Core Ultra 5 245T is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 17.3% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 66.1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core Ultra 5 245T is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 17.3% more average FPS across 4 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 245T is the better fit. You are getting 66.1% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 14 threads. It also carries 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 245T is the smarter buy today. Core Ultra 5 245T is 55.2% more expensive on MSRP at $270 MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it gives you a 17.3% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 7.0% better value on MSRP (120.2 vs 112.3 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play 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 245T is the more future-proof choice 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 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 Ultra 5 245T Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core Ultra 5 245T
1080p
low	183 FPS	262 FPS
medium	168 FPS	252 FPS
high	139 FPS	212 FPS
ultra	119 FPS	179 FPS
1440p
low	153 FPS	220 FPS
medium	132 FPS	189 FPS
high	106 FPS	153 FPS
ultra	89 FPS	133 FPS
4K
low	87 FPS	149 FPS
medium	81 FPS	127 FPS
high	64 FPS	98 FPS
ultra	49 FPS	86 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core Ultra 5 245T

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core Ultra 5 245T
1080p
low	471 FPS	361 FPS
medium	397 FPS	307 FPS
high	341 FPS	258 FPS
ultra	301 FPS	233 FPS
1440p
low	407 FPS	316 FPS
medium	351 FPS	279 FPS
high	309 FPS	235 FPS
ultra	265 FPS	200 FPS
4K
low	282 FPS	187 FPS
medium	248 FPS	170 FPS
high	229 FPS	162 FPS
ultra	196 FPS	141 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core Ultra 5 245T

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core Ultra 5 245T
1080p
low	488 FPS	811 FPS
medium	488 FPS	685 FPS
high	488 FPS	610 FPS
ultra	488 FPS	522 FPS
1440p
low	488 FPS	727 FPS
medium	488 FPS	596 FPS
high	485 FPS	519 FPS
ultra	434 FPS	441 FPS
4K
low	442 FPS	504 FPS
medium	389 FPS	425 FPS
high	337 FPS	382 FPS
ultra	274 FPS	323 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core Ultra 5 245T

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core Ultra 5 245T
1080p
low	488 FPS	811 FPS
medium	488 FPS	811 FPS
high	488 FPS	777 FPS
ultra	488 FPS	704 FPS
1440p
low	488 FPS	811 FPS
medium	488 FPS	722 FPS
high	488 FPS	623 FPS
ultra	473 FPS	552 FPS
4K
low	488 FPS	554 FPS
medium	450 FPS	500 FPS
high	391 FPS	447 FPS
ultra	330 FPS	394 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core Ultra 5 245T

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12400F and Core Ultra 5 245T

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 245T

The Core Ultra 5 245T 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 14 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 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: LGA1851. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 32,444 points. Launch price was $270.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 245T offers 14 cores / 14 threads — the Core Ultra 5 245T has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 5.1 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 245T — a 14.7% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 245T (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 245T uses Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core Ultra 5 245T's 32,444 — a 49.7% lead for the Core Ultra 5 245T. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 24 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 245T.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core Ultra 5 245T
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	14 / 14+133%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	5.1 GHz+16%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+14%	2.2 GHz
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-S (2024−2025)
PassMark	19,532	32,444+66%
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core Ultra 5 245T uses LGA1851 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 memory speed. The Core Ultra 5 245T supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core Ultra 5 245T
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1851
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	DDR5-6400
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	256 GB+100%
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 Ultra 5 245T). The Core Ultra 5 245T includes integrated graphics (Arc Xe-LPG 64EU), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Core Ultra 5 245T targets Desktop Low Power. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core Ultra 5 245T
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Arc Xe-LPG 64EU
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	Desktop Low Power

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-12400F launched at $174 MSRP, while the Core Ultra 5 245T debuted at $270. On MSRP ($174 vs $270), the Core i5-12400F is $96 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 120.2 pts/$ for the Core Ultra 5 245T — making the Core Ultra 5 245T the 6.8% better value option.