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 G860 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 G860: 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: +473.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+500% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Delivers 550.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 17.3 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 256W, a 191W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1155 and older memory support.

Trade-offs

❌
102.3% HIGHER MSRP
$174 MSRPvs$86 MSRP
❌No integrated graphics, while Pentium G860 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Pentium G860

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $88 less on MSRP ($86 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics, 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.
❌Lower PassMark (1,485 vs 19,532).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 17.3 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌293.8% higher power demand at 256W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Pentium G860?

Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 473.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1215.3% 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 473.9% 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 1215.3% 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 102.3% more expensive on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $86 MSRP, and it still gives you a 473.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 550.1% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 17.3 PassMark/$), 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 2011), 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 G860 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 G860

The Pentium G860 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,485 points. Launch price was $75.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Pentium G860 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 G860 — 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 G860 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Pentium G860's 1,485 — a 171.7% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G860.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Pentium G860
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 (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	Intel 7 nm-78%	32 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	19,532+1215%	1,485
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 G860 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus DDR3-1333 on the Pentium G860 — the Core i5-12400F supports 260.1% 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 32 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 16 (Pentium G860) — the Core i5-12400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Pentium G860
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+260%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+300%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs VT-x (Pentium G860). The Pentium G860 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Pentium G860 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Pentium G860
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12400F was priced at $174, while the Pentium G860 came in at $86. On launch pricing ($174 vs $86), Pentium G860 was $88 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 17.3 pts/$ for the Pentium G860 — making the Core i5-12400F the 146.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Pentium G860
MSRP	$174	$86-51%
Performance per Dollar	112.3+549%	17.3
Release Date	2022	2011

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