Core i5-12400F vs EPYC 9174F

CPU

GPU

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Core family

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EPYC 9174F

16 Cores32 Thrd320 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

EPYC family

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Core i5-12400F vs EPYC 9174F Performance Spectrum

Core i5-12400F

6 / 12

19,532

0.0%

52,249

+167.5%

Ryzen 9 7940H

Ryzen 7 PRO 7745

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Ryzen 9 5950X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

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 9174F 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 9174F: 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 $20 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $194 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 320W, a 255W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike EPYC 9174F.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 9174F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (19,532 vs 52,249).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 9174F, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 112.3 vs 269.3 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $194 MSRP).

EPYC 9174F

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +42.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅Delivers 139.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 269.3 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($194 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
✅540% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
11.5% HIGHER MSRP
$194 MSRPvs$174 MSRP
❌392.3% higher power demand at 320W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 9174F better than Core i5-12400F?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. EPYC 9174F 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 9174F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 42.2% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests. It also has a clear cache advantage at 256 MB versus 18 MB.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 9174F is the stronger fit. You are getting 167.5% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 1322.2% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 18 MB).

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

EPYC 9174F is the better buy right now. EPYC 9174F comes in 11.5% more expensive on MSRP at $194 MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it still gives you a 42.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 139.9% better value on MSRP (269.3 vs 112.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

EPYC 9174F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 3D V-Cache and a much larger 256 MB L3 cache instead of 18 MB, more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 32 threads instead of 6/12, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra cache should keep paying off in CPU-limited games and high-refresh builds.

Core i5-12400F vs EPYC 9174F 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 9174F

The EPYC 9174F is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 November 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Genoa (2022−2023) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 4.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm, 6 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 320 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 52,249 points. Launch price was $3,850.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the EPYC 9174F offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the EPYC 9174F has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 4.4 GHz on the EPYC 9174F — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.5 GHz vs 4.1 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the EPYC 9174F uses Genoa (2022−2023) (5 nm, 6 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the EPYC 9174F's 52,249 — a 91.2% lead for the EPYC 9174F. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 9174F.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	EPYC 9174F
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	16 / 32+167%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	4.1 GHz+64%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	256 MB (total)+1322%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+25%	1 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	5 nm, 6 nm-29%
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Genoa (2022−2023)
PassMark	19,532	52,249+168%
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 9174F uses SP5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 memory speed. The EPYC 9174F supports up to 6144 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 4700% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-12400F) vs 12 (EPYC 9174F). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 128 (EPYC 9174F) — the EPYC 9174F offers 108 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and SP5 (EPYC 9174F).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	EPYC 9174F
Socket	LGA1700	SP5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	4800
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	6144 GB+4700%
RAM Channels	2	12+500%
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 9174F). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; EPYC 9174F rivals Xeon Platinum 8468.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	EPYC 9174F
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	Yes
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 9174F came in at $194. On launch pricing ($174 vs $194), Core i5-12400F was $20 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 269.3 pts/$ for the EPYC 9174F — making the EPYC 9174F the 82.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	EPYC 9174F
MSRP	$174-10%	$194
Performance per Dollar	112.3	269.3+140%
Release Date	2022	2022

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