Core i5-12400F vs EPYC 9355P

CPU

GPU

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Core family

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EPYC 9355P

32 Cores64 Thrd280 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2024

EPYC family

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Core i5-12400F vs EPYC 9355P Performance Spectrum

Core i5-12400F

6 / 12

19,532

0.0%

97,249

+397.9%

Ryzen 9 7945HX

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 7960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX

Ryzen Threadripper 7980X

Ryzen Threadripper 9980X

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 9355P 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 9355P: 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 $2,824 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $2,998 MSRP).
✅Delivers 246.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 32.4 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $2,998 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 280W, a 215W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike EPYC 9355P.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 9355P across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (19,532 vs 97,249).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 9355P, which brings 32 cores / 64 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

EPYC 9355P

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +21.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 32 cores / 64 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 32.4 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($2,998 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌330.8% higher power demand at 280W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 9355P better than Core i5-12400F?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. EPYC 9355P 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 9355P is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 21.5% 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 9355P is the stronger fit. You are getting 397.9% better PassMark, backed by 32 cores and 64 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 9355P is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. EPYC 9355P comes in 1623.0% more expensive on MSRP at $2,998 MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it still gives you a 21.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12400F is also 246.1% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 32.4 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

EPYC 9355P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2022), 3D V-Cache and a much larger 256 MB L3 cache instead of 18 MB, and more multi-core headroom with 32 cores / 64 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12400F vs EPYC 9355P 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 9355P

The EPYC 9355P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 October 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Turin (2024) architecture. It features 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 3.55 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 280 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 97,249 points. Launch price was $2,998.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the EPYC 9355P offers 32 cores / 64 threads — the EPYC 9355P has 26 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 4.4 GHz on the EPYC 9355P — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.55 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the EPYC 9355P uses Turin (2024) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the EPYC 9355P's 97,249 — a 133.1% lead for the EPYC 9355P. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 9355P.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	EPYC 9355P
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	32 / 64+433%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.55 GHz+42%
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	4 nm-43%
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Turin (2024)
PassMark	19,532	97,249+398%
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 EPYC 9355P uses SP5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus DDR5-6000 on the EPYC 9355P — the EPYC 9355P supports 25% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 9355P supports up to 6 TB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 4700% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-12400F) vs 12 (EPYC 9355P). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 128 (EPYC 9355P) — the EPYC 9355P 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 9355P).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	EPYC 9355P
Socket	LGA1700	SP5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	DDR5-6000+25%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	6 TB+4700%
RAM Channels	2	12+500%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	128+540%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs AMD-V, SEV-SNP (EPYC 9355P). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, EPYC 9355P targets Data Center / Single Socket. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; EPYC 9355P rivals Xeon 6740P.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	EPYC 9355P
Integrated GPU	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	AMD-V, SEV-SNP
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	Data Center / Single Socket

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12400F was priced at $174, while the EPYC 9355P came in at $2998. On launch pricing ($174 vs $2998), Core i5-12400F was $2824 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 32.4 pts/$ for the EPYC 9355P — making the Core i5-12400F the 110.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	EPYC 9355P
MSRP	$174-94%	$2998
Performance per Dollar	112.3+247%	32.4
Release Date	2022	2024

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