Core i5-12400F vs EPYC 9474F

CPU

GPU

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

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EPYC 9474F

48 Cores96 Thrd360 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2022

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Core i5-12400F vs EPYC 9474F Performance Spectrum

Core i5-12400F

6 / 12

19,532

0.0%

102,255

+423.5%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 7960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX

Ryzen Threadripper 7980X

Ryzen Threadripper 9980X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7995WX

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 9474F 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 9474F: 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 $6,606 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $6,780 MSRP).
✅Delivers 644.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 15.1 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $6,780 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 360W, a 295W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike EPYC 9474F.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 9474F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (19,532 vs 102,255).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 9474F, which brings 48 cores / 96 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

EPYC 9474F

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +31.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 48 cores / 96 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 15.1 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($6,780 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌453.8% higher power demand at 360W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 9474F better than Core i5-12400F?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. EPYC 9474F 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 9474F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 31.2% 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 9474F is the stronger fit. You are getting 423.5% better PassMark, backed by 48 cores and 96 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 9474F is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. EPYC 9474F comes in 3796.6% more expensive on MSRP at $6,780 MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it still gives you a 31.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12400F is also 644.3% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 15.1 PassMark/$), 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 9474F 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 and more multi-core headroom with 48 cores / 96 threads instead of 6/12. That extra cache should keep paying off in CPU-limited games and high-refresh builds.

Core i5-12400F vs EPYC 9474F 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 9474F

The EPYC 9474F 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 48 cores and 96 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 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): 360 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 102,255 points. Launch price was $6,780.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the EPYC 9474F offers 48 cores / 96 threads — the EPYC 9474F has 42 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 4.1 GHz on the EPYC 9474F — a 7.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the EPYC 9474F uses Genoa (2022−2023) (5 nm, 6 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the EPYC 9474F's 102,255 — a 135.8% lead for the EPYC 9474F. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 9474F.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	EPYC 9474F
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	48 / 96+700%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+7%	4.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.6 GHz+44%
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	102,255+424%
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 9474F uses SP5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 memory speed. The EPYC 9474F 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 9474F). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 128 (EPYC 9474F) — the EPYC 9474F 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 9474F).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	EPYC 9474F
Socket	LGA1700	SP5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	6 TB+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 AMD-V, SEV-SNP (EPYC 9474F). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, EPYC 9474F targets Data Center / Performance Optimized. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; EPYC 9474F rivals Xeon 8461V.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	EPYC 9474F
Integrated GPU	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	AMD-V, SEV-SNP
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	Data Center / Performance Optimized

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12400F was priced at $174, while the EPYC 9474F came in at $6780. On launch pricing ($174 vs $6780), Core i5-12400F was $6606 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 15.1 pts/$ for the EPYC 9474F — making the Core i5-12400F the 152.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	EPYC 9474F
MSRP	$174-97%	$6780
Performance per Dollar	112.3+644%	15.1
Release Date	2022	2022

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