Core i5-12400F vs Ryzen 3 7320U

CPU

GPU

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Core family

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Ryzen 3 7320U

4 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2022

Ryzen family

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Core i5-12400F vs Ryzen 3 7320U Performance Spectrum

Core i5-12400F

6 / 12

19,532

+126.4%

8,627

0.0%

FX-6350

Ryzen 3 3350U

Ryzen Embedded V1605B

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3995WX

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 7320U 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 Ryzen 3 7320U: 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: +55.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+350% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 4 MB).
✅400% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 3 7320U.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $174 MSRP, while Ryzen 3 7320U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 3 7320U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 3 7320U

2022

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon 610M, 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 (4,907 vs 12,380).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 18 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Ryzen 3 7320U?

Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 55.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 152.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 126.4% 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 55.5% 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 152.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 350% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 4 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 $174 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 55.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 350% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 4 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-12400F vs Ryzen 3 7320U 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 7320U

The Ryzen 3 7320U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 September 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Mendocino-U (Zen 2) (2022) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 6 nm process technology. Socket: FT6. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 8,627 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 3 7320U 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 4.1 GHz on the Ryzen 3 7320U — a 7.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 3 7320U uses Mendocino-U (Zen 2) (2022) (6 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Ryzen 3 7320U's 8,627 — a 77.5% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,380 vs 4,907 (86.5% advantage for the Core i5-12400F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 1,213, a 33.4% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 3,589 (138.1% advantage for the Ryzen 3 7320U). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 3 7320U.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Ryzen 3 7320U
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+7%	4.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+4%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)+350%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+150%	512 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	6 nm-14%
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Mendocino-U (Zen 2) (2022)
PassMark	19,532+126%	8,627
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380+152%	4,907
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700+40%	1,213
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	3,589+446%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 3 7320U uses FT6 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus LPDDR5-5500 on the Ryzen 3 7320U — the Ryzen 3 7320U supports 14.6% 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 16 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 4 (Ryzen 3 7320U) — the Core i5-12400F offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and FT6 (Ryzen 3 7320U).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Ryzen 3 7320U
Socket	LGA1700	FT6
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	LPDDR5-5500+15%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+700%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+400%	4

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 3 7320U). The Ryzen 3 7320U includes integrated graphics (Radeon 610M), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Ryzen 3 7320U targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; Ryzen 3 7320U rivals Core i3-1215U.