Core i5-12400F vs Pentium Gold G7400E

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 Gold G7400E 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 Gold G7400E: 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: +107.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Pentium Gold G7400E.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $174 MSRP, while Pentium Gold G7400E mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌41.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 46W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Pentium Gold G7400E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Pentium Gold G7400E

2022

Why buy it

✅Draws 46W instead of 65W, a 19W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 710, 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 Cinebench R23 multi-core (3,814 vs 12,380).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 18 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Pentium Gold G7400E?

Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 107.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 224.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 218.4% higher 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 107.0% 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 224.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 6 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 at an unclear MSRP at $174 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 107.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 200% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 6 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-12400F vs Pentium Gold G7400E 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 Gold G7400E

The Pentium Gold G7400E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 46 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 6,134 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Pentium Gold G7400E offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-12400F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 3.6 GHz on the Pentium Gold G7400E — a 20% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). Both are built on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture using a Intel 7 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Pentium Gold G7400E's 6,134 — a 104.4% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,380 vs 3,814 (105.8% advantage for the Core i5-12400F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 1,960, a 14.2% lead for the Pentium Gold G7400E that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 4,131 (145.1% advantage for the Pentium Gold G7400E). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 6 MB (total) on the Pentium Gold G7400E.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Pentium Gold G7400E
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+200%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+22%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.6 GHz+44%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)+200%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-30%	10 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	19,532+218%	6,134
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380+225%	3,814
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700	1,960+15%
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	4,131+529%

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,W680,Q670,B760,H770,Z790 (Pentium Gold G7400E).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Pentium Gold G7400E
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs VT-x, VT-d (Pentium Gold G7400E). The Pentium Gold G7400E includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 710), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Pentium Gold G7400E targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Pentium Gold G7400E
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel UHD Graphics 710
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	Embedded