Core i5-12400F vs Core Ultra 7 255U

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 7 255U 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 7 255U: 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

✅+9.5% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core Ultra 7 255U.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 7 255U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $174 MSRP, while Core Ultra 7 255U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌364.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 14W.

Core Ultra 7 255U

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 14W instead of 65W, a 51W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (17,834 vs 19,532).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 18 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 7 255U better than Core i5-12400F?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core Ultra 7 255U is ahead with a 14.8% 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 9.5% better PassMark. Core i5-12400F also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).

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 9.5% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core Ultra 7 255U is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core Ultra 7 255U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-12400F is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 9.5% better PassMark. Core i5-12400F is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 7 255U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12400F vs Core Ultra 7 255U 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 7 255U

The Core Ultra 7 255U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-U (2025) architecture. It features 12 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): 14 MB + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 17,834 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 255U offers 12 cores / 14 threads — the Core Ultra 7 255U has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 5.2 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 255U — a 16.7% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 255U (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 255U uses Arrow Lake-U (2025) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core Ultra 7 255U's 17,834 — a 9.1% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 12 MB on the Core Ultra 7 255U.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core Ultra 7 255U
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	12 / 14+100%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	5.2 GHz+18%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.8 GHz+52%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)+50%	12 MB
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	—
Process	Intel 7 nm	5 nm-29%
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Arrow Lake-U (2025)
PassMark	19,532+10%	17,834
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 Ultra 7 255U uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core Ultra 7 255U
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA2049
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
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 Ultra 7 255U). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.