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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +558.5% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+500% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Delivers 239.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 33.1 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $64 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1150 and older memory support.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
171.9% HIGHER MSRP
$174 MSRPvs$64 MSRP
❌22.6% higher power demand at 65W vs 53W.

Pentium G3260

2015

Why buy it

✅Costs $110 less on MSRP ($64 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
✅Draws 53W instead of 65W, a 12W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,116 vs 19,532).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 33.1 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($64 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1150, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Pentium G3260

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +558.5% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+500% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Delivers 239.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 33.1 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $64 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1150 and older memory support.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Why buy it

✅Costs $110 less on MSRP ($64 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
✅Draws 53W instead of 65W, a 12W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌
171.9% HIGHER MSRP
$174 MSRPvs$64 MSRP
❌22.6% higher power demand at 65W vs 53W.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,116 vs 19,532).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 33.1 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($64 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1150, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Pentium G3260?

Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 558.5% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 823.1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-12400F is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 558.5% more average FPS across 4 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 better fit. You are getting 823.1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also carries 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 smarter buy today. Core i5-12400F is 171.9% more expensive on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $64 MSRP, and it gives you a 558.5% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 239.5% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 33.1 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-12400F is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2015), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1150, 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 should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i5-12400F Benchmark Check

Pentium G3260 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Pentium G3260
1080p
low	183 FPS	53 FPS
medium	168 FPS	53 FPS
high	139 FPS	53 FPS
ultra	119 FPS	53 FPS
1440p
low	153 FPS	53 FPS
medium	132 FPS	53 FPS
high	106 FPS	53 FPS
ultra	89 FPS	53 FPS
4K
low	87 FPS	53 FPS
medium	81 FPS	51 FPS
high	64 FPS	40 FPS
ultra	49 FPS	31 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Pentium G3260

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Pentium G3260
1080p
low	471 FPS	53 FPS
medium	397 FPS	53 FPS
high	341 FPS	53 FPS
ultra	301 FPS	53 FPS
1440p
low	407 FPS	53 FPS
medium	351 FPS	53 FPS
high	309 FPS	53 FPS
ultra	265 FPS	53 FPS
4K
low	282 FPS	53 FPS
medium	248 FPS	53 FPS
high	229 FPS	42 FPS
ultra	196 FPS	29 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Pentium G3260

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Pentium G3260
1080p
low	488 FPS	53 FPS
medium	488 FPS	53 FPS
high	488 FPS	53 FPS
ultra	488 FPS	53 FPS
1440p
low	488 FPS	53 FPS
medium	488 FPS	53 FPS
high	485 FPS	53 FPS
ultra	434 FPS	53 FPS
4K
low	442 FPS	53 FPS
medium	389 FPS	53 FPS
high	337 FPS	53 FPS
ultra	274 FPS	53 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Pentium G3260

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Pentium G3260
1080p
low	488 FPS	53 FPS
medium	488 FPS	53 FPS
high	488 FPS	53 FPS
ultra	488 FPS	53 FPS
1440p
low	488 FPS	53 FPS
medium	488 FPS	53 FPS
high	488 FPS	53 FPS
ultra	473 FPS	53 FPS
4K
low	488 FPS	53 FPS
medium	450 FPS	53 FPS
high	391 FPS	53 FPS
ultra	330 FPS	53 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Pentium G3260

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12400F and Pentium G3260

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 G3260

The Pentium G3260 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency: 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 53 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333, DDR3L-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 2,116 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Pentium G3260 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 G3260's 2,116 — a 160.9% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 3 MB on the Pentium G3260.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Pentium G3260
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+200%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	—
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.3 GHz+32%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)+500%	3 MB
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	—
Process	Intel 7 nm-68%	22 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	—
PassMark	19,532+823%	2,116
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium G3260 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Pentium G3260
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1150
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	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) / not specified (Pentium G3260). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Pentium G3260
Integrated GPU	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-12400F launched at $174 MSRP, while the Pentium G3260 debuted at $64. On MSRP ($174 vs $64), the Pentium G3260 is $110 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 33.1 pts/$ for the Pentium G3260 — making the Core i5-12400F the 109% better value option.