Core i5-12400F vs M1 Pro 8-Core

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 M1 Pro 8-Core 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 M1 Pro 8-Core: 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

✅Better for gaming: +18.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike M1 Pro 8-Core.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $174 MSRP, while M1 Pro 8-Core mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌132.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 28W.
❌No integrated graphics, while M1 Pro 8-Core can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

M1 Pro 8-Core

2021

Why buy it

✅Draws 28W instead of 65W, a 37W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Apple M1 Pro GPU (14-core), while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (17,218 vs 19,532).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than M1 Pro 8-Core?

Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 18.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 13.4% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-12400F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 18.9% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12400F is the stronger fit. You are getting 13.4% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-12400F is the better buy right now. Core i5-12400F comes in at an unclear MSRP at $174 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 18.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible none + DDR5 setup, M1 Pro 8-Core can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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 newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2021) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/8. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12400F vs M1 Pro 8-Core 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.

M1 Pro 8-Core

The M1 Pro 8-Core is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 18 October 2021 (4 years ago). It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.06 GHz, with boost up to 3.22 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 28 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 MB + 16 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 17,218 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the M1 Pro 8-Core offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the M1 Pro 8-Core has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 3.22 GHz on the M1 Pro 8-Core — a 31% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.06 GHz). The Core i5-12400F is built on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the M1 Pro 8-Core's 17,218 — a 12.6% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 16 MB on the M1 Pro 8-Core.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	M1 Pro 8-Core
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 8+33%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+37%	3.22 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+21%	2.06 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)+13%	16 MB
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	28 MB+2140%
Process	Intel 7 nm	5 nm-29%
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	—
PassMark	19,532+13%	17,218
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 M1 Pro 8-Core uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus LPDDR5-6400 on the M1 Pro 8-Core — the M1 Pro 8-Core supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-12400F supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-12400F) vs 4 (M1 Pro 8-Core). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 0 (M1 Pro 8-Core) — the Core i5-12400F offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	M1 Pro 8-Core
Socket	LGA1700	none
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	LPDDR5-6400+33%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+300%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20	0

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs Virtualization (M1 Pro 8-Core). The M1 Pro 8-Core includes integrated graphics (Apple M1 Pro GPU (14-core)), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, M1 Pro 8-Core targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	M1 Pro 8-Core
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Apple M1 Pro GPU (14-core)
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	Virtualization
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	Mobile