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 B960 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 B960: 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: +740.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+800% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Delivers 1376.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 7.6 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of PGA988 and older memory support.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (657 vs 679).
❌
29.9% HIGHER MSRP
$174 MSRPvs$134 MSRP
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Pentium B960 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Pentium B960

2011

Why buy it

✅+3.3% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Costs $40 less on MSRP ($134 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge), 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.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.6 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on PGA988, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Pentium B960?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-12400F is ahead with a 740.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium B960 pulls ahead with 3.3% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i5-12400F also has the bigger cache pool with 800% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 2 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium B960 is the stronger fit. You are getting 3.3% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 2 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 29.9% more expensive on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $134 MSRP, and it still gives you a 740.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Pentium B960 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 3.3% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 1376.1% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 7.6 PassMark/$), 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 2011), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of PGA988, and 800% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 2 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12400F vs Pentium B960 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 B960

The Pentium B960 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 October 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,019 points. Launch price was $134.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Pentium B960 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 2.2 GHz on the Pentium B960 — a 66.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Pentium B960 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Pentium B960's 1,019 — a 180.2% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 383, a 126.5% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 679 (3.3% advantage for the Pentium B960). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium B960.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Pentium B960
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+200%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+100%	2.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+14%	2.2 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-78%	32 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	19,532+1817%	1,019
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700+344%	383
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	679+3%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium B960 uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus DDR3-1333 on the Pentium B960 — the Core i5-12400F supports 260.1% 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 16 (Pentium B960) — the Core i5-12400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and HM76 (Pentium B960).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Pentium B960
Socket	LGA1700	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+260%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+700%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) / not specified (Pentium B960). The Pentium B960 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Pentium B960 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; Pentium B960 rivals AMD A8-3500M.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Pentium B960
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	Budget

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12400F was priced at $174, while the Pentium B960 came in at $134. On launch pricing ($174 vs $134), Pentium B960 was $40 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 7.6 pts/$ for the Pentium B960 — making the Core i5-12400F the 174.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Pentium B960
MSRP	$174	$134-23%
Performance per Dollar	112.3+1378%	7.6
Release Date	2022	2011

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