Core i5-12400F vs EPYC 9745

CPU

GPU

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Core family

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EPYC 9745

128 Cores256 Thrd400 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2024

EPYC family

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Core i5-12400F vs EPYC 9745 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-12400F

6 / 12

19,532

0.0%

130,698

+569.1%

Ryzen 9 9950X3D

Ryzen Threadripper 7960X

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X

Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

Ryzen Threadripper 7980X

Ryzen Threadripper 9980X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9995WX

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 9745 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 9745: 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 $11,967 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $12,141 MSRP).
✅Delivers 942.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 10.8 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $12,141 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 400W, a 335W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike EPYC 9745.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (19,532 vs 130,698).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 256 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 9745, which brings 128 cores / 256 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

EPYC 9745

2024

Why buy it

✅+569.1% higher PassMark.
✅+1322.2% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 128 cores / 256 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 10.8 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($12,141 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌515.4% higher power demand at 400W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 9745 better than Core i5-12400F?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. EPYC 9745 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 streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 9745 is the stronger fit. You are getting 569.1% better PassMark, backed by 128 cores and 256 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 9745 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. EPYC 9745 comes in 6877.6% more expensive on MSRP at $12,141 MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it still gives you 569.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-12400F is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12400F is also 942.8% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 10.8 PassMark/$), 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 9745 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2022), 1322.2% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 18 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 128 cores / 256 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12400F vs EPYC 9745 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 9745

The EPYC 9745 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 October 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Turin (2024) architecture. It features 128 cores and 256 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 400 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 130,698 points. Launch price was $12,141.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the EPYC 9745 offers 128 cores / 256 threads — the EPYC 9745 has 122 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 9745 — a 17.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the EPYC 9745 uses Turin (2024) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the EPYC 9745's 130,698 — a 148% lead for the EPYC 9745. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 9745.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	EPYC 9745
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	128 / 256+2033%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+19%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+4%	2.4 GHz
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	3 nm-57%
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Turin (2024)
PassMark	19,532	130,698+569%
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 9745 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 9745 — the EPYC 9745 supports 25% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 9745 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 9745). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 128 (EPYC 9745) — the EPYC 9745 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 9745).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	EPYC 9745
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 9745). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, EPYC 9745 targets Data Center / High Density. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; EPYC 9745 rivals Xeon 6980P.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	EPYC 9745
Integrated GPU	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	AMD-V, SEV-SNP
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	Data Center / High Density

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12400F was priced at $174, while the EPYC 9745 came in at $12141. On launch pricing ($174 vs $12141), Core i5-12400F was $11967 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 10.8 pts/$ for the EPYC 9745 — making the Core i5-12400F the 165% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	EPYC 9745
MSRP	$174-99%	$12141
Performance per Dollar	112.3+940%	10.8
Release Date	2022	2024

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