Core i5-12400F vs M4 Pro (12 cores)

CPU

GPU

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Core family

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M4 Pro (12 cores)

12 Cores12 Thrd4 WWMax: 4.51 GHz2024

Similar parts

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Core i5-12400F vs M4 Pro (12 cores) Performance Spectrum

Core i5-12400F

6 / 12

19,532

0.0%

32,853

+68.2%

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 M4 Pro (12 cores) 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 M4 Pro (12 cores): 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

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,700 vs 3,812).
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (12,380 vs 18,904).
❌Launch MSRP is still $174 MSRP, while M4 Pro (12 cores) mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1525% higher power demand at 65W vs 4W.
❌No integrated graphics, while M4 Pro (12 cores) can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

M4 Pro (12 cores)

2024

Why buy it

✅+124.2% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 4W instead of 65W, a 61W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with M4 Pro 16-core GPU, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is M4 Pro (12 cores) better than Core i5-12400F?

Yes. M4 Pro (12 cores) is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 52.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 68.2% higher 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, M4 Pro (12 cores) is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.2% 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, M4 Pro (12 cores) is the stronger fit. You are getting 52.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 12 cores and 12 threads.

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

M4 Pro (12 cores) is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. M4 Pro (12 cores) comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12400F is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1700 + DDR5 setup, Core i5-12400F can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap, but on MSRP alone you would want to find it meaningfully cheaper in real-world listings before that path becomes easy to justify.

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

M4 Pro (12 cores) makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2022) and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12400F vs M4 Pro (12 cores) 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.

M4 Pro (12 cores)

The M4 Pro (12 cores) is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 30 October 2024 (1 year ago). It features 12 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.592 GHz, with boost up to 4.51 GHz. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 4 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5X. Passmark benchmark score: 32,853 points. Launch price was $499.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the M4 Pro (12 cores) offers 12 cores / 12 threads — the M4 Pro (12 cores) has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 4.51 GHz on the M4 Pro (12 cores) — a 2.5% clock advantage for the M4 Pro (12 cores) (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.592 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 M4 Pro (12 cores)'s 32,853 — a 50.9% lead for the M4 Pro (12 cores). Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,380 vs 18,904 (41.7% advantage for the M4 Pro (12 cores)). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 3,812, a 76.6% lead for the M4 Pro (12 cores) that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 20,076 (187.3% advantage for the M4 Pro (12 cores)).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	M4 Pro (12 cores)
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	12 / 12+100%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.51 GHz+2%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.592 GHz+4%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	4 MB+220%
Process	Intel 7 nm	3 nm-57%
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	—
PassMark	19,532	32,853+68%
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	18,904+53%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700	3,812+124%
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	20,076+2956%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the M4 Pro (12 cores) 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 LPDDR5x-8000 on the M4 Pro (12 cores) — the M4 Pro (12 cores) supports 66.7% 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 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-12400F) vs 1 (M4 Pro (12 cores)). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 0 (M4 Pro (12 cores)) — the Core i5-12400F offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and Apple SoC (M4 Pro (12 cores)).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	M4 Pro (12 cores)
Socket	LGA1700	none
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	LPDDR5x-8000+67%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2+100%	1
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 Apple Virtualization (M4 Pro (12 cores)). The M4 Pro (12 cores) includes integrated graphics (M4 Pro 16-core GPU), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, M4 Pro (12 cores) targets High-end Content Creation. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; M4 Pro (12 cores) rivals Ryzen 9 8945HS.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	M4 Pro (12 cores)
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	M4 Pro 16-core GPU
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	Apple Virtualization
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	High-end Content Creation