Core i5-12400F vs EPYC 7473X

CPU

GPU

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Core family

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EPYC 7473X

24 Cores48 Thrd240 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2022

EPYC family

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Core i5-12400F vs EPYC 7473X Performance Spectrum

Core i5-12400F

6 / 12

19,532

0.0%

59,280

+203.5%

Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370

Ryzen 9 5900X

Ryzen 9 5950X

Ryzen 9 9850HX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX

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 EPYC 7473X 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 EPYC 7473X: 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 $3,726 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $3,900 MSRP).
✅Delivers 638.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 15.2 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $3,900 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 240W, a 175W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of SP3 and DDR4.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike EPYC 7473X.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 7473X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (19,532 vs 59,280).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7473X, which brings 24 cores / 48 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

EPYC 7473X

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 24 cores / 48 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅540% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 15.2 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($3,900 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌269.2% higher power demand at 240W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on SP3 with DDR4, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 7473X better than Core i5-12400F?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. EPYC 7473X makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-12400F is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, EPYC 7473X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 16.4% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests. It also has a clear cache advantage at 768 MB versus 18 MB.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7473X is the stronger fit. You are getting 203.5% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 4166.7% larger total L3 cache (768 MB vs 18 MB).

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

EPYC 7473X is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. EPYC 7473X comes in 2141.4% more expensive on MSRP at $3,900 MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it still gives you a 16.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12400F is also 638.5% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 15.2 PassMark/$), 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 i5-12400F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of SP3. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12400F vs EPYC 7473X 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.

EPYC 7473X

The EPYC 7473X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2022-03-01. It is based on the Milan-X (2022) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 768 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 240 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 59,280 points. Launch price was $3,900.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the EPYC 7473X offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the EPYC 7473X has 18 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 7473X — a 17.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the EPYC 7473X uses Milan-X (2022) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the EPYC 7473X's 59,280 — a 100.9% lead for the EPYC 7473X. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 768 MB (total) on the EPYC 7473X.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	EPYC 7473X
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	24 / 48+300%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+19%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.8 GHz+12%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	768 MB (total)+4167%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+40860%
Process	Intel 7 nm	7 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Milan-X (2022)
PassMark	19,532	59,280+204%
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 EPYC 7473X uses SP3 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus 3200 on the EPYC 7473X — the Core i5-12400F supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 7473X supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 3100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-12400F) vs 8 (EPYC 7473X). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 128 (EPYC 7473X) — the EPYC 7473X offers 108 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and SP3 (EPYC 7473X).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	EPYC 7473X
Socket	LGA1700	SP3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+50%	3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	4096 GB+3100%
RAM Channels	2	8+300%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	128+540%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs VT-x, VT-d (EPYC 7473X). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; EPYC 7473X rivals Xeon Platinum 8380.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	EPYC 7473X
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	—	None
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 EPYC 7473X came in at $3900. On launch pricing ($174 vs $3900), Core i5-12400F was $3726 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 15.2 pts/$ for the EPYC 7473X — making the Core i5-12400F the 152.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	EPYC 7473X
MSRP	$174-96%	$3900
Performance per Dollar	112.3+639%	15.2
Release Date	2022	2022

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