Core i5-12400F vs Pentium 3805U

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 3805U 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 3805U: 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: +603.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+800% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1168 and older memory support.
✅66.7% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $174 MSRP, while Pentium 3805U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Pentium 3805U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Pentium 3805U

2015

Why buy it

✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics (Broadwell), 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 (1,196 vs 19,532).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 18 MB).
❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1168, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Pentium 3805U?

Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 603.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1533.1% 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 603.1% 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 1533.1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 800% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 2 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 $174 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 603.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2015), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1168, 800% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 2 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 3805U 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 3805U

The Pentium 3805U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,196 points. Launch price was $161.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Pentium 3805U offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Core i5-12400F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 1.9 GHz on the Pentium 3805U — a 79.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Pentium 3805U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Pentium 3805U's 1,196 — a 176.9% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 3805U.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Pentium 3805U
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+200%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+132%	1.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+32%	1.9 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)+800%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Broadwell-U (2015)
PassMark	19,532+1533%	1,196
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 Pentium 3805U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus DDR3L-1600 on the Pentium 3805U — the Core i5-12400F supports 200% 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 16 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 12 (Pentium 3805U) — the Core i5-12400F offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Pentium 3805U
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+200%	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+700%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+67%	12

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs VT-x, VT-d (Pentium 3805U). The Pentium 3805U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Broadwell)), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Pentium 3805U targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Pentium 3805U
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics (Broadwell)
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	Mobile