Core i5-12400F vs Pentium E2220

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 E2220 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 E2220: 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: +693.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+1700% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 1 MB).
✅Delivers 249.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 32.1 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $32 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA775 and older memory support.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
443.8% HIGHER MSRP
$174 MSRPvs$32 MSRP

Pentium E2220

2008

Why buy it

✅Costs $142 less on MSRP ($32 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (590 vs 657).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (1 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 32.1 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($32 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA775, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Pentium E2220?

Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 693.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 11.4% better Geekbench multi-core, 1800.0% 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, Core i5-12400F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 693.5% 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 11.4% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 1700% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 1 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 443.8% more expensive on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $32 MSRP, and it still gives you a 693.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 249.4% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 32.1 PassMark/$), 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 2008), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA775, and 1700% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 1 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12400F vs Pentium E2220 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 E2220

The Pentium E2220 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. Base frequency: 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 1 MB L2 Cache. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,028 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

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 E2220's 1,028 — a 180% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 330, a 135% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 590 (10.7% advantage for the Core i5-12400F). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 1 MB L2 Cache on the Pentium E2220.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Pentium E2220
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	—
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	—
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+4%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)+1700%	1 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	—
Process	Intel 7 nm-89%	65 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	—
PassMark	19,532+1800%	1,028
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700+415%	330
Geekbench 6 Multi	657+11%	590

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium E2220 uses LGA775 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus DDR2-800 on the Pentium E2220 — the Core i5-12400F supports 500% 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 4 GB — 3100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 0 (Pentium E2220) — 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 G31,G41 (Pentium E2220).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Pentium E2220
Socket	LGA1700	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+500%	DDR2-800
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+3100%	4 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs None (Pentium E2220). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Pentium E2220 targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Pentium E2220
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	None
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	Legacy Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12400F was priced at $174, while the Pentium E2220 came in at $32. On launch pricing ($174 vs $32), Pentium E2220 was $142 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 32.1 pts/$ for the Pentium E2220 — making the Core i5-12400F the 111% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Pentium E2220
MSRP	$174	$32-82%
Performance per Dollar	112.3+250%	32.1
Release Date	2022	2008

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