Core i5-12400F
Core Ultra 9 285K
Core i5-12400F vs Core Ultra 9 285K Performance Spectrum
About PassMark
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 9 285K 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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Among Us
Apex Legends
ARC Raiders
Baldur's Gate 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Core i5-12400F vs Core Ultra 9 285K: 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
2022Why buy it
- ✅Costs $415 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $589 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
- ✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core Ultra 9 285K.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 9 285K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (12,380 vs 45,563).
- ❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 36 MB).
- ❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 9 285K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
Core Ultra 9 285K
2024Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +44.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅+100% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 18 MB).
- ✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
- ✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Arc Graphics 64EU, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.
Trade-offs
- ❌238.5% HIGHER MSRP$589 MSRPvs$174 MSRP
- ❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.
- ❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.
Quick Answers
So, is Core Ultra 9 285K better than Core i5-12400F?
Which one is better for gaming?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-12400F vs Core Ultra 9 285K 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 9 285K
The Core Ultra 9 285K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 October 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) architecture. It features 24 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 5.6 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1851. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 67,482 points. Launch price was $589.
Processing Power
The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 9 285K offers 24 cores / 24 threads — the Core Ultra 9 285K has 18 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 5.6 GHz on the Core Ultra 9 285K — a 24% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 9 285K (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 9 285K uses Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core Ultra 9 285K's 67,482 — a 110.2% lead for the Core Ultra 9 285K. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,380 vs 45,563 (114.5% advantage for the Core Ultra 9 285K). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 3,200, a 61.2% lead for the Core Ultra 9 285K that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 22,563 (188.7% advantage for the Core Ultra 9 285K). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 36 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 9 285K.
| Feature | Core i5-12400F | Core Ultra 9 285K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 24 / 24+300% |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz | 5.6 GHz+27% |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 3.7 GHz+48% |
| L3 Cache | 18 MB (total) | 36 MB (total)+100% |
| 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 | 67,482+245% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 12,380 | 45,563+268% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,700 | 3,200+88% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 657 | 22,563+3334% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core Ultra 9 285K 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 9 285K — the Core Ultra 9 285K supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core Ultra 9 285K 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 9 285K) — the Core Ultra 9 285K offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and Z890 (Core Ultra 9 285K).
| Feature | Core i5-12400F | Core Ultra 9 285K |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 192 GB+50% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | No | Yes |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 24+20% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs true (Core Ultra 9 285K). The Core Ultra 9 285K includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc Graphics 64EU), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; Core Ultra 9 285K rivals Ryzen 9 9950X.
| Feature | Core i5-12400F | Core Ultra 9 285K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel Arc Graphics 64EU |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | true |
| Target Use | Gaming Performance/Value | — |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Core i5-12400F was priced at $174, while the Core Ultra 9 285K came in at $589. On launch pricing ($174 vs $589), Core i5-12400F was $415 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 114.6 pts/$ for the Core Ultra 9 285K — making the Core Ultra 9 285K the 2% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-12400F | Core Ultra 9 285K |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $174-70% | $589 |
| Performance per Dollar | 112.3 | 114.6+2% |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2024 |
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