Core i5-12400F vs Ryzen 3 PRO 3200G

Intel

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Popular choices:

VS
AMD

Ryzen 3 PRO 3200G

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 4 GHz2019

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: +174.9% higher average FPS across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +350% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 4 MB).
  • Delivers 53.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 73.0 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $89 MSRP).
  • Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
  • 25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • 95.5% HIGHER MSRP
    $174 MSRPvs$89 MSRP
  • No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 3 PRO 3200G can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 3 PRO 3200G

2019

Why buy it

  • Costs $85 less on MSRP ($89 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon Vega 8, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (6,499 vs 19,532).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 18 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 73.0 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($89 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
  • Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Ryzen 3 PRO 3200G?
Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 174.9% average FPS lead across 2 shared CPU game tests in our data, 200.5% better 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 174.9% more average FPS across 2 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 200.5% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also carries 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 smarter buy today. Core i5-12400F is 95.5% more expensive on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $89 MSRP, and it gives you a 174.9% average FPS lead across 2 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 53.7% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 73.0 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 3 PRO 3200G can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.
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 2019), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of AM4, 350% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 4 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 4/4. 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 i5-12400FRyzen 3 PRO 3200G
1080p
low183 FPS162 FPS
medium168 FPS162 FPS
high139 FPS137 FPS
ultra119 FPS98 FPS
1440p
low153 FPS162 FPS
medium132 FPS145 FPS
high106 FPS113 FPS
ultra89 FPS81 FPS
4K
low87 FPS69 FPS
medium81 FPS61 FPS
high64 FPS47 FPS
ultra49 FPS37 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetCore i5-12400FRyzen 3 PRO 3200G
1080p
low471 FPS162 FPS
medium397 FPS162 FPS
high341 FPS154 FPS
ultra301 FPS125 FPS
1440p
low407 FPS162 FPS
medium351 FPS142 FPS
high309 FPS130 FPS
ultra265 FPS110 FPS
4K
low282 FPS125 FPS
medium248 FPS109 FPS
high229 FPS89 FPS
ultra196 FPS67 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetCore i5-12400FRyzen 3 PRO 3200G
1080p
low488 FPS162 FPS
medium488 FPS162 FPS
high488 FPS162 FPS
ultra488 FPS162 FPS
1440p
low488 FPS162 FPS
medium488 FPS162 FPS
high485 FPS162 FPS
ultra434 FPS162 FPS
4K
low442 FPS162 FPS
medium389 FPS162 FPS
high337 FPS162 FPS
ultra274 FPS157 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetCore i5-12400FRyzen 3 PRO 3200G
1080p
low488 FPS162 FPS
medium488 FPS162 FPS
high488 FPS162 FPS
ultra488 FPS162 FPS
1440p
low488 FPS162 FPS
medium488 FPS162 FPS
high488 FPS162 FPS
ultra473 FPS162 FPS
4K
low488 FPS162 FPS
medium450 FPS162 FPS
high391 FPS162 FPS
ultra330 FPS162 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12400F and Ryzen 3 PRO 3200G

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

Ryzen 3 PRO 3200G

The Ryzen 3 PRO 3200G is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 30 September 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 6,499 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 3 PRO 3200G 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 4 GHz on the Ryzen 3 PRO 3200G — a 9.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 3 PRO 3200G uses Zen+ (2018−2019) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Ryzen 3 PRO 3200G's 6,499 — a 100.1% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 4 MB on the Ryzen 3 PRO 3200G.

FeatureCore i5-12400FRyzen 3 PRO 3200G
Cores / Threads
6 / 12+50%
4 / 4
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz+10%
4 GHz
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
3.6 GHz+44%
L3 Cache
18 MB (total)+350%
4 MB
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
2 MB+60%
Process
Intel 7 nm-42%
12 nm
Architecture
Alder Lake-S (2022)
Zen+ (2018−2019)
PassMark
19,532+201%
6,499
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 Ryzen 3 PRO 3200G uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus DDR4-2933 on the Ryzen 3 PRO 3200G — the Core i5-12400F supports 22.2% 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 64 GB 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 16 (Ryzen 3 PRO 3200G) — the Core i5-12400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureCore i5-12400FRyzen 3 PRO 3200G
Socket
LGA1700
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+25%
DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB+100%
64 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
20+25%
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 3 PRO 3200G). The Ryzen 3 PRO 3200G includes integrated graphics (Radeon Vega 8), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Ryzen 3 PRO 3200G targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

FeatureCore i5-12400FRyzen 3 PRO 3200G
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
Radeon Vega 8
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
AMD-V
Target Use
Gaming Performance/Value
Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-12400F launched at $174 MSRP, while the Ryzen 3 PRO 3200G debuted at $89. On MSRP ($174 vs $89), the Ryzen 3 PRO 3200G is $85 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 73.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 3 PRO 3200G — making the Core i5-12400F the 42.3% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-12400FRyzen 3 PRO 3200G
MSRP
$174
$89-49%
Performance per Dollar
112.3+54%
73.0
Release Date
2022
2019