Core i5-12400F vs Processor N97

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: +180.2% higher average FPS across 5 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 6 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Processor N97.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $174 MSRP, while Processor N97 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Processor N97

2023

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 5 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,445 vs 19,532).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 18 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Processor N97

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +180.2% higher average FPS across 5 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 6 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Processor N97.

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $174 MSRP, while Processor N97 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 5 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,445 vs 19,532).
❌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 Processor N97?

Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 180.2% average FPS lead across 5 shared CPU game tests in our data and 258.7% better PassMark, 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 180.2% more average FPS across 5 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 258.7% better PassMark, 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 at an unclear MSRP at $174 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 180.2% average FPS lead across 5 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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?

Processor N97 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

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.

Core i5-12400F Benchmark Check

Processor N97 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Processor N97
1080p
low	183 FPS	136 FPS
medium	168 FPS	136 FPS
high	139 FPS	111 FPS
ultra	119 FPS	87 FPS
1440p
low	153 FPS	136 FPS
medium	132 FPS	114 FPS
high	106 FPS	90 FPS
ultra	89 FPS	70 FPS
4K
low	87 FPS	68 FPS
medium	81 FPS	57 FPS
high	64 FPS	45 FPS
ultra	49 FPS	35 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Processor N97

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Processor N97
1080p
low	471 FPS	107 FPS
medium	397 FPS	92 FPS
high	341 FPS	85 FPS
ultra	301 FPS	66 FPS
1440p
low	407 FPS	93 FPS
medium	351 FPS	79 FPS
high	309 FPS	74 FPS
ultra	265 FPS	60 FPS
4K
low	282 FPS	72 FPS
medium	248 FPS	64 FPS
high	229 FPS	52 FPS
ultra	196 FPS	40 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Processor N97

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Processor N97
1080p
low	488 FPS	136 FPS
medium	488 FPS	136 FPS
high	488 FPS	136 FPS
ultra	488 FPS	136 FPS
1440p
low	488 FPS	136 FPS
medium	488 FPS	136 FPS
high	485 FPS	136 FPS
ultra	434 FPS	136 FPS
4K
low	442 FPS	136 FPS
medium	389 FPS	136 FPS
high	337 FPS	136 FPS
ultra	274 FPS	136 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Processor N97

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Processor N97
1080p
low	488 FPS	136 FPS
medium	488 FPS	136 FPS
high	488 FPS	136 FPS
ultra	488 FPS	136 FPS
1440p
low	488 FPS	136 FPS
medium	488 FPS	136 FPS
high	488 FPS	136 FPS
ultra	473 FPS	136 FPS
4K
low	488 FPS	136 FPS
medium	450 FPS	136 FPS
high	391 FPS	136 FPS
ultra	330 FPS	136 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Processor N97

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12400F and Processor N97

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.

Processor N97

The Processor N97 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-N (2023) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): + 6 MB. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 4800 MHz Single-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 5,445 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Processor N97 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 3.6 GHz on the Processor N97 — a 20% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Processor N97 uses Alder Lake-N (2023) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Processor N97's 5,445 — a 112.8% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 6 MB (total) on the Processor N97.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Processor N97
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 4
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+22%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+25%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)+200%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2 MB (total)+60%
Process	Intel 7 nm-30%	10 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Alder Lake-N (2023)
PassMark	19,532+259%	5,445
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Processor N97 uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Processor N97
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA1264
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) / not specified (Processor N97). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.