Core i5-12400F vs E-350

Intel

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
Core family
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VS
AMD

E-350

2 Cores2 Thrd18 WWMax: 1.6 GHz2011
Similar parts
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Core i5-12400F vs E-350 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 E-350 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 E-350: 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

  • Better for gaming: +696.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Delivers 435.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 21.0 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $50 MSRP).
  • Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FT1 and older memory support.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike E-350.

Trade-offs

  • 248% HIGHER MSRP
    $174 MSRPvs$50 MSRP
  • 261.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 18W.

E-350

2011

Why buy it

  • Costs $124 less on MSRP ($50 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
  • Draws 18W instead of 65W, a 47W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (1,049 vs 19,532).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.0 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($50 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
  • Older platform position on FT1, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than E-350?
Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 696.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1762% 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 i5-12400F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 696.0% 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 i5-12400F is the stronger fit. You are getting 1762% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-12400F is the better buy right now. Core i5-12400F comes in 248.0% more expensive on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $50 MSRP, and it still gives you a 696.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 435.0% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 21.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-12400F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2011), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of FT1, and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 2/2. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12400F vs E-350 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Intel

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.

AMD

E-350

The E-350 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Zacate (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 40 nm process technology. Socket: FT1. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,049 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the E-350 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Core i5-12400F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 1.6 GHz on the E-350 — a 93.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F. The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the E-350 uses Zacate (2011−2013) (40 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the E-350's 1,049 — a 179.6% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 0 kB on the E-350.

FeatureCore i5-12400FE-350
Cores / Threads
6 / 12+200%
2 / 2
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz+175%
1.6 GHz
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
L3 Cache
18 MB (total)
0 kB
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
512K (per core)+40860%
Process
Intel 7 nm-83%
40 nm
Architecture
Alder Lake-S (2022)
Zacate (2011−2013)
PassMark
19,532+1762%
1,049
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 E-350 uses FT1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-12400FE-350
Socket
LGA1700
FT1
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
20
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) / not specified (E-350). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

FeatureCore i5-12400FE-350
Integrated GPU
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Gaming Performance/Value
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12400F was priced at $174, while the E-350 came in at $50. On launch pricing ($174 vs $50), E-350 was $124 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 21.0 pts/$ for the E-350 — making the Core i5-12400F the 137% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-12400FE-350
MSRP
$174
$50-71%
Performance per Dollar
112.3+435%
21.0
Release Date
2022
2011

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