Core i5-12400F vs Pentium G2120T

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 G2120T 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 G2120T: 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: +437.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+500% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Delivers 505.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 18.5 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $87 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1155 and older memory support.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
100% HIGHER MSRP
$174 MSRPvs$87 MSRP
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Pentium G2120T

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $87 less on MSRP ($87 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,613 vs 19,532).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 18.5 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($87 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1155, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Pentium G2120T?

Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 437.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1110.9% 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 437.5% 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 1110.9% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 500% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 3 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 100.0% more expensive on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $87 MSRP, and it still gives you a 437.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 505.5% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 18.5 PassMark/$), 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 2013), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1155, 500% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 3 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 G2120T 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 G2120T

The Pentium G2120T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency: 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,613 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Pentium G2120T 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 G2120T's 1,613 — a 169.5% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 3 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Pentium G2120T.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Pentium G2120T
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+200%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	—
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.7 GHz+8%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)+500%	3 MB Intel® Smart Cache
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	—
Process	Intel 7 nm-68%	22 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	—
PassMark	19,532+1111%	1,613
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 G2120T uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Pentium G2120T
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) / not specified (Pentium G2120T). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Pentium G2120T
Integrated GPU	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12400F was priced at $174, while the Pentium G2120T came in at $87. On launch pricing ($174 vs $87), Pentium G2120T was $87 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 18.5 pts/$ for the Pentium G2120T — making the Core i5-12400F the 143.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Pentium G2120T
MSRP	$174	$87-50%
Performance per Dollar	112.3+507%	18.5
Release Date	2022	2013

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