Core i5-12400F vs Pentium 1403

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 Pentium 1403 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 Pentium 1403: 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: +373.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+260% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 5 MB).
✅Draws 65W instead of 80W, a 15W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Pentium 1403.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $174 MSRP, while Pentium 1403 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Pentium 1403

2012

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,851 vs 19,532).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (5 MB vs 18 MB).
❌23.1% higher power demand at 80W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Pentium 1403?

Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 373.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 955.2% 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 373.8% 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 955.2% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 260% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 5 MB).

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 $174 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 373.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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 2012), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of the older platform, 260% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 5 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 2/2. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12400F vs Pentium 1403 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.

Pentium 1403

The Pentium 1403 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency: 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 5 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 1,851 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Pentium 1403 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Core i5-12400F has 4 more cores. The Core i5-12400F is built on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Pentium 1403's 1,851 — a 165.4% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 5 MB on the Pentium 1403.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Pentium 1403
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+200%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	—
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.6 GHz+4%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)+260%	5 MB
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	—
Process	Intel 7 nm-78%	32 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	—
PassMark	19,532+955%	1,851
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) / not specified (Pentium 1403). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.