Core i5-12400F vs Pentium G4500T

Intel

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
Core family
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VS
Intel

Pentium G4500T

2 Cores2 Thrd512 WWMax: 3 GHz2015
Similar parts
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Core i5-12400F vs Pentium G4500T Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 G4500T 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 G4500T: 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: +278.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +500% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 3 MB).
  • Delivers 250.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 32.0 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $75 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.
  • Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Geekbench multi-core (657 vs 1,260).
  • 132% HIGHER MSRP
    $174 MSRPvs$75 MSRP
  • No integrated graphics, while Pentium G4500T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Pentium G4500T

2015

Why buy it

  • +91.8% higher Geekbench multi-core.
  • Costs $99 less on MSRP ($75 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 530, 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 (3 MB vs 18 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 32.0 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($75 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
  • 687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.
  • Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Pentium G4500T?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-12400F is ahead with a 278.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium G4500T pulls ahead with 91.8% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i5-12400F also has the bigger cache pool with 500% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 3 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium G4500T is the stronger fit. You are getting 91.8% 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 132.0% more expensive on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $75 MSRP, and it still gives you a 278.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Pentium G4500T is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 91.8% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 250.9% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 32.0 PassMark/$), 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 2015), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151, and 500% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 3 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12400F vs Pentium G4500T Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Intel

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.

Intel

Pentium G4500T

The Pentium G4500T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,399 points. Launch price was $75.

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Pentium G4500T 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 GHz on the Pentium G4500T — a 37.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Pentium G4500T uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Pentium G4500T's 2,399 — a 156.2% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 701, a 83.2% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 1,260 (62.9% advantage for the Pentium G4500T). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 3 MB on the Pentium G4500T.

FeatureCore i5-12400FPentium G4500T
Cores / Threads
6 / 12+200%
2 / 2
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz+47%
3 GHz
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
3 GHz+20%
L3 Cache
18 MB (total)+500%
3 MB
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)+150%
512 kB
Process
Intel 7 nm-50%
14 nm
Architecture
Alder Lake-S (2022)
Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark
19,532+714%
2,399
Cinebench R23 Multi
12,380
Geekbench 6 Single
1,700+143%
701
Geekbench 6 Multi
657
1,260+92%
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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium G4500T uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus DDR4-2133 on the Pentium G4500T — the Core i5-12400F supports 125% 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 64 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 16 (Pentium G4500T) — 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 H110,B150,H170,Z170 (Pentium G4500T).

FeatureCore i5-12400FPentium G4500T
Socket
LGA1700
LGA1151
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+125%
DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB+100%
64 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20+25%
16
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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs VT-x, VT-d (Pentium G4500T). The Pentium G4500T includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 530), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Pentium G4500T targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

FeatureCore i5-12400FPentium G4500T
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics 530
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Gaming Performance/Value
Low Power Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12400F was priced at $174, while the Pentium G4500T came in at $75. On launch pricing ($174 vs $75), Pentium G4500T was $99 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 32.0 pts/$ for the Pentium G4500T — making the Core i5-12400F the 111.3% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-12400FPentium G4500T
MSRP
$174
$75-57%
Performance per Dollar
112.3+251%
32.0
Release Date
2022
2015

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