Core i5-12400F
Ryzen 3 210
Core i5-12400F vs Ryzen 3 210 Performance Spectrum
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.
Core i5-12400F vs Ryzen 3 210 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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Among Us
Apex Legends
ARC Raiders
Baldur's Gate 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Core i5-12400F vs Ryzen 3 210: 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
2022Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +20.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅+125% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 8 MB).
- ✅42.9% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 14) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
- ✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 3 210.
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 112.3 vs 133.4 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $99 MSRP).
- ❌132.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 28W.
- ❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 3 210 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
Ryzen 3 210
2025Why buy it
- ✅Costs $75 less on MSRP ($99 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 18.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 133.4 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($99 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 28W instead of 65W, a 37W reduction.
- ✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon 740M, 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 (515 vs 12,380).
- ❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 18 MB).
- ❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.
Quick Answers
So, is Core i5-12400F better than Ryzen 3 210?
Which one is better for gaming?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-12400F vs Ryzen 3 210 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.
Ryzen 3 210
The Ryzen 3 210 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Hawk Point (2024−2025) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP7. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 13,209 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 3 210 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-12400F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 4.7 GHz on the Ryzen 3 210 — a 6.6% clock advantage for the Ryzen 3 210 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 3 210 uses Hawk Point (2024−2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Ryzen 3 210's 13,209 — a 38.6% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,380 vs 515 (184% advantage for the Core i5-12400F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 2,300, a 30% lead for the Ryzen 3 210 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 6,500 (163.3% advantage for the Ryzen 3 210). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 8 MB (total) on the Ryzen 3 210.
| Feature | Core i5-12400F | Ryzen 3 210 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12+50% | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz | 4.7 GHz+7% |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 3 GHz+20% |
| L3 Cache | 18 MB (total)+125% | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core)+25% | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | Intel 7 nm | 4 nm-43% |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-S (2022) | Hawk Point (2024−2025) |
| PassMark | 19,532+48% | 13,209 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 12,380+2304% | 515 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,700 | 2,300+35% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 657 | 6,500+889% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 3 210 uses FP7 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus DDR5-5600 on the Ryzen 3 210 — the Ryzen 3 210 supports 16.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 3 210 supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 14 (Ryzen 3 210) — the Core i5-12400F offers 6 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and SoC (Ryzen 3 210).
| Feature | Core i5-12400F | Ryzen 3 210 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | FP7 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0+33% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 | DDR5-5600+17% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 256 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | No | No |
| PCIe Lanes | 20+43% | 14 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 3 210). The Ryzen 3 210 includes integrated graphics (Radeon 740M), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Ryzen 3 210 targets Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.
| Feature | Core i5-12400F | Ryzen 3 210 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Radeon 740M |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Gaming Performance/Value | Laptop |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Core i5-12400F was priced at $174, while the Ryzen 3 210 came in at $99. On launch pricing ($174 vs $99), Ryzen 3 210 was $75 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 133.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 3 210 — making the Ryzen 3 210 the 17.2% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-12400F | Ryzen 3 210 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $174 | $99-43% |
| Performance per Dollar | 112.3 | 133.4+19% |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2025 |
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