Core i5-12400F vs Phenom II X6 1075T

Intel

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Popular choices:

VS
AMD

Phenom II X6 1075T

6 Cores6 Thrd125 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2010

Popular choices:

i5-12400F

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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.

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: +296.6% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +200% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 6 MB).
  • Costs $71 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $245 MSRP).
  • Delivers 685.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 14.3 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $245 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Phenom II X6 1075T

2010

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (1,896 vs 12,380).
    • Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 18 MB).
    • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.3 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($245 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
    • 92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Core i5-12400F better than Phenom II X6 1075T?
    Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 296.6% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 553% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 458.1% higher 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 296.6% 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 553% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also carries 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 smarter buy today. Core i5-12400F is $71 cheaper on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $245 MSRP, and it gives you a 296.6% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 685.8% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 14.3 PassMark/$), 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 2010), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of AM3, 200% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 6 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/6. 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.

    Path of Exile 2

    Path of Exile 2

    PresetCore i5-12400FPhenom II X6 1075T
    1080p
    low183 FPS88 FPS
    medium168 FPS88 FPS
    high139 FPS88 FPS
    ultra119 FPS88 FPS
    1440p
    low153 FPS88 FPS
    medium132 FPS88 FPS
    high106 FPS88 FPS
    ultra89 FPS72 FPS
    4K
    low87 FPS62 FPS
    medium81 FPS56 FPS
    high64 FPS43 FPS
    ultra49 FPS34 FPS
    Counter-Strike 2

    Counter-Strike 2

    PresetCore i5-12400FPhenom II X6 1075T
    1080p
    low471 FPS88 FPS
    medium397 FPS88 FPS
    high341 FPS88 FPS
    ultra301 FPS88 FPS
    1440p
    low407 FPS88 FPS
    medium351 FPS88 FPS
    high309 FPS88 FPS
    ultra265 FPS88 FPS
    4K
    low282 FPS88 FPS
    medium248 FPS88 FPS
    high229 FPS88 FPS
    ultra196 FPS72 FPS
    League of Legends

    League of Legends

    PresetCore i5-12400FPhenom II X6 1075T
    1080p
    low488 FPS88 FPS
    medium488 FPS88 FPS
    high488 FPS88 FPS
    ultra488 FPS88 FPS
    1440p
    low488 FPS88 FPS
    medium488 FPS88 FPS
    high485 FPS88 FPS
    ultra434 FPS88 FPS
    4K
    low442 FPS88 FPS
    medium389 FPS88 FPS
    high337 FPS88 FPS
    ultra274 FPS88 FPS
    Valorant

    Valorant

    PresetCore i5-12400FPhenom II X6 1075T
    1080p
    low488 FPS88 FPS
    medium488 FPS88 FPS
    high488 FPS88 FPS
    ultra488 FPS88 FPS
    1440p
    low488 FPS88 FPS
    medium488 FPS88 FPS
    high488 FPS88 FPS
    ultra473 FPS88 FPS
    4K
    low488 FPS88 FPS
    medium450 FPS88 FPS
    high391 FPS88 FPS
    ultra330 FPS88 FPS

    Technical Specifications

    Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12400F and Phenom II X6 1075T

    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.

    AMD

    Phenom II X6 1075T

    The Phenom II X6 1075T is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 21 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Thuban (2010) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,500 points. Launch price was $260.

    Processing Power

    The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, matching the Phenom II X6 1075T's 6 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 3.5 GHz on the Phenom II X6 1075T — a 22.8% 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 Phenom II X6 1075T uses Thuban (2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Phenom II X6 1075T's 3,500 — a 139.2% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,380 vs 1,896 (146.9% advantage for the Core i5-12400F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 679, a 85.8% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 1,960 (99.6% advantage for the Phenom II X6 1075T). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X6 1075T.

    FeatureCore i5-12400FPhenom II X6 1075T
    Cores / Threads
    6 / 12
    6 / 6
    Boost Clock
    4.4 GHz+26%
    3.5 GHz
    Base Clock
    2.5 GHz
    3 GHz+20%
    L3 Cache
    18 MB (total)+200%
    6 MB (total)
    L2 Cache
    1.25 MB (per core)+150%
    512 kB (per core)
    Process
    Intel 7 nm-84%
    45 nm
    Architecture
    Alder Lake-S (2022)
    Thuban (2010)
    PassMark
    19,532+458%
    3,500
    Cinebench R23 Multi
    12,380+553%
    1,896
    Geekbench 6 Single
    1,700+150%
    679
    Geekbench 6 Multi
    657
    1,960+198%
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X6 1075T uses AM3 (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 Phenom II X6 1075T — the Core i5-12400F supports 50% 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 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 16 (Phenom II X6 1075T) — 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 880G,890GX,890FX,970,990FX (Phenom II X6 1075T).

    FeatureCore i5-12400FPhenom II X6 1075T
    Socket
    LGA1700
    AM3
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 3.0+50%
    PCIe 2.0
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+67%
    DDR3-1333
    Max RAM Capacity
    128 GB+300%
    32 GB
    RAM Channels
    2
    2
    ECC Support
    No
    Yes
    PCIe Lanes
    20+25%
    16
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs AMD-V (Phenom II X6 1075T). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Phenom II X6 1075T targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; Phenom II X6 1075T rivals Core i5-750.

    FeatureCore i5-12400FPhenom II X6 1075T
    Integrated GPU
    No
    No
    Unlocked
    Yes
    AVX-512
    No
    Virtualization
    VT-x, VT-d, EPT
    AMD-V
    Target Use
    Gaming Performance/Value
    Gaming
    💰

    Value Analysis

    The Core i5-12400F launched at $174 MSRP, while the Phenom II X6 1075T debuted at $245. On MSRP ($174 vs $245), the Core i5-12400F is $71 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 14.3 pts/$ for the Phenom II X6 1075T — making the Core i5-12400F the 154.8% better value option.

    FeatureCore i5-12400FPhenom II X6 1075T
    MSRP
    $174-29%
    $245
    Performance per Dollar
    112.3+685%
    14.3
    Release Date
    2022
    2010