Core i5-12400F vs Core Ultra 9 285T

CPU

GPU

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

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Core Ultra 9 285T

24 Cores24 Thrd35 WWMax: 5.4 GHz2025

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Core i5-12400F vs Core Ultra 9 285T Performance Spectrum

Core i5-12400F

6 / 12

19,532

0.0%

36,916

+89.0%

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 285T 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 9 285T: 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 $375 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
✅Delivers 66.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 67.2 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core Ultra 9 285T.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 9 285T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (19,532 vs 36,916).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 36 MB).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 9 285T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core Ultra 9 285T

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +28.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Arc Xe-LPG Graphics, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 67.2 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($549 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 9 285T better than Core i5-12400F?

Yes. Core Ultra 9 285T is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 28.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 89% better 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 9 285T is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 28.9% 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 9 285T is the stronger fit. You are getting 89% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 18 MB).

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

Core Ultra 9 285T is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core Ultra 9 285T comes in 215.5% more expensive on MSRP at $549 MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it still gives you a 28.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12400F is also 66.9% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 67.2 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds 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 9 285T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022), 100% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 18 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 24 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 9 285T 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 285T

The Core Ultra 9 285T 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 24 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1851. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 36,916 points. Launch price was $549.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 9 285T offers 24 cores / 24 threads — the Core Ultra 9 285T has 18 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 5.4 GHz on the Core Ultra 9 285T — a 20.4% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 9 285T (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.4 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 9 285T uses Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core Ultra 9 285T's 36,916 — a 61.6% lead for the Core Ultra 9 285T. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 36 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 9 285T.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core Ultra 9 285T
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	24 / 24+300%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	5.4 GHz+23%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+79%	1.4 GHz
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	36,916+89%
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 9 285T 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 6400 on the Core Ultra 9 285T — the Core Ultra 9 285T supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core Ultra 9 285T 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. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and Z890,B860 (Core Ultra 9 285T).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core Ultra 9 285T
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1851
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	6400+33%
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 9 285T). The Core Ultra 9 285T includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc Xe-LPG Graphics), 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 285T rivals Ryzen 9 7900.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core Ultra 9 285T
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel Arc Xe-LPG Graphics
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12400F was priced at $174, while the Core Ultra 9 285T came in at $549. On launch pricing ($174 vs $549), Core i5-12400F was $375 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 67.2 pts/$ for the Core Ultra 9 285T — making the Core i5-12400F the 50.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core Ultra 9 285T
MSRP	$174-68%	$549
Performance per Dollar	112.3+67%	67.2
Release Date	2022	2025

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