Core i5-12400F vs Pentium N3710

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 N3710 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 N3710: 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: +498.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 1203.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 8.6 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $161 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1170 and older memory support.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Pentium N3710.

Trade-offs

❌
8.1% HIGHER MSRP
$174 MSRPvs$161 MSRP
❌3150% higher power demand at 65W vs 2W.

Pentium N3710

2016

Why buy it

✅Costs $13 less on MSRP ($161 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
✅Draws 2W instead of 65W, a 63W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,386 vs 19,532).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.6 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($161 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1170, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Pentium N3710?

Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 498.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1309.2% 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 498.2% 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 1309.2% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 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 8.1% more expensive on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $161 MSRP, and it still gives you a 498.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1203.9% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 8.6 PassMark/$), 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 2016), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1170, and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 4/4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12400F vs Pentium N3710 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 N3710

The Pentium N3710 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Braswell (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.56 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,386 points. Launch price was $161.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Pentium N3710 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-12400F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 2.56 GHz on the Pentium N3710 — a 52.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Pentium N3710 uses Braswell (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Pentium N3710's 1,386 — a 173.5% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 0 kB on the Pentium N3710.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Pentium N3710
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 4
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+72%	2.56 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+56%	1.6 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2 MB+60%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Braswell (2015−2016)
PassMark	19,532+1309%	1,386
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 N3710 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Pentium N3710
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA1170
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 N3710). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Pentium N3710
Integrated GPU	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12400F was priced at $174, while the Pentium N3710 came in at $161. On launch pricing ($174 vs $161), Pentium N3710 was $13 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 8.6 pts/$ for the Pentium N3710 — making the Core i5-12400F the 171.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Pentium N3710
MSRP	$174	$161-7%
Performance per Dollar	112.3+1206%	8.6
Release Date	2022	2016

Search Core i5-12400F on Amazon

Search Pentium N3710 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.