Core i5-12400F vs Pentium E6700

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 E6700 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 E6700: 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: +590.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 691.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 14.2 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $86 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.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Pentium E6700.

Trade-offs

❌
102.3% HIGHER MSRP
$174 MSRPvs$86 MSRP

Pentium E6700

2010

Why buy it

✅Costs $88 less on MSRP ($86 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,219 vs 19,532).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.2 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA775, 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 E6700?

Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 590.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1502.3% 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 590.2% 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, Core i5-12400F is the stronger fit. You are getting 1502.3% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 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 102.3% more expensive on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $86 MSRP, and it still gives you a 590.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 691.9% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 14.2 PassMark/$), 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 2010), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA775, 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 E6700 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 E6700

The Pentium E6700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,219 points. Launch price was $80.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Pentium E6700 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 3.2 GHz on the Pentium E6700 — a 31.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Pentium E6700 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Pentium E6700's 1,219 — a 176.5% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 0 kB on the Pentium E6700.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Pentium E6700
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+200%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+38%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.2 GHz+28%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2 MB (total)+60%
Process	Intel 7 nm-84%	45 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Wolfdale (2008−2010)
PassMark	19,532+1502%	1,219
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 E6700 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus DDR3-1066 on the Pentium E6700 — the Core i5-12400F supports 350.3% 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 8 GB — 1500% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 0 (Pentium E6700) — the Core i5-12400F offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Pentium E6700
Socket	LGA1700	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+350%	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+1500%	8 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 VT-x (Pentium E6700). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Pentium E6700 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Pentium E6700
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12400F was priced at $174, while the Pentium E6700 came in at $86. On launch pricing ($174 vs $86), Pentium E6700 was $88 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 14.2 pts/$ for the Pentium E6700 — making the Core i5-12400F the 155.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Pentium E6700
MSRP	$174	$86-51%
Performance per Dollar	112.3+691%	14.2
Release Date	2022	2010

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