Core i5-12400F vs E2-3800

CPU

GPU

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Core family

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E2-3800

4 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 1.3 GHz2013

Similar parts

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Core i5-12400F vs E2-3800 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-12400F

6 / 12

19,532

+1619.4%

1,136

0.0%

Mobile Athlon 64 3700+

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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 E2-3800 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 E2-3800: 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: +639.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 888.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 11.4 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FT3 and older memory support.
✅400% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike E2-3800.

Trade-offs

❌
74% HIGHER MSRP
$174 MSRPvs$100 MSRP
❌333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while E2-3800 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

E2-3800

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $74 less on MSRP ($100 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
✅Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 8280, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (389 vs 657).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.4 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($100 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on FT3, 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 E2-3800?

Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 639.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 68.9% better Geekbench multi-core, 1619.4% higher 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 639.9% 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 i5-12400F is the stronger fit. You are getting 68.9% better Geekbench multi-core, 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 74.0% more expensive on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $100 MSRP, and it still gives you a 639.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 888.1% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 11.4 PassMark/$), 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 2013), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of FT3, and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 4/4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12400F vs E2-3800 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.

E2-3800

The E2-3800 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Kabini (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 1.3 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FT3. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,136 points. Launch price was $50.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the E2-3800 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-12400F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 1.3 GHz on the E2-3800 — a 108.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F. The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the E2-3800 uses Kabini (2013−2014) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the E2-3800's 1,136 — a 178% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 136, a 170.4% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 389 (51.2% advantage for the Core i5-12400F).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	E2-3800
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 4
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+238%	1.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	—
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2048 kB+60%
Process	Intel 7 nm-75%	28 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Kabini (2013−2014)
PassMark	19,532+1619%	1,136
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700+1150%	136
Geekbench 6 Multi	657+69%	389

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the E2-3800 uses FT3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus DDR3-1600 on the E2-3800 — the Core i5-12400F supports 200% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-12400F supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-12400F) vs 1 (E2-3800). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 4 (E2-3800) — the Core i5-12400F offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and SoC (E2-3800).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	E2-3800
Socket	LGA1700	FT3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+200%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+700%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2+100%	1
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20+400%	4

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs Yes (E2-3800). The E2-3800 includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 8280), 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.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	E2-3800
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Radeon HD 8280
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	Yes
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12400F was priced at $174, while the E2-3800 came in at $100. On launch pricing ($174 vs $100), E2-3800 was $74 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 11.4 pts/$ for the E2-3800 — making the Core i5-12400F the 163.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	E2-3800
MSRP	$174	$100-43%
Performance per Dollar	112.3+885%	11.4
Release Date	2022	2013

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