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Core i5-12400F vs Ryzen 5 1500X

CPUCPUGPUGPU
Intel

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
Core family
·······
Buy on Amazon
VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 1500X

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2017
Ryzen family
·······
Buy on Amazon

Core i5-12400F vs Ryzen 5 1500X Performance Spectrum

Core i5-12400F
6 / 12
19,532
+115.3%
brand logoCore i5-1335UE
brand logoCore i5-10500
brand logoCore i3-14100
brand logoXeon W-2140B
brand logoCore Ultra 9 285T
brand logoXeon w7-3455
brand logoXeon w9-3575X
brand logoXeon w9-3495X
Ryzen 5 1500X
4 / 8
9,074
0.0%
brand logoRyzen Embedded V2A46
brand logoRyzen 3 PRO 2200GE
brand logoRyzen 7 3700U
brand logoRyzen Embedded V1807B
brand logoRyzen Threadripper 1950X
brand logoRyzen 9 PRO 7945
brand logoRyzen 9 9950X
brand logoRyzen 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 5 1500X 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

Path of Exile 2

1080P
Core i5-12400F
low183 FPS
medium168 FPS
high139 FPS
ultra119 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 5 1500X
low182 FPS
medium156 FPS
high127 FPS
ultra99 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

1080P
Core i5-12400F
low471 FPS
medium397 FPS
high341 FPS
ultra301 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 5 1500X
low225 FPS
medium194 FPS
high178 FPS
ultra138 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

1080P
Core i5-12400F
low488 FPS
medium488 FPS
high488 FPS
ultra488 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 5 1500X
low227 FPS
medium227 FPS
high227 FPS
ultra227 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

1080P
Core i5-12400F
low488 FPS
medium488 FPS
high488 FPS
ultra488 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 5 1500X
low227 FPS
medium227 FPS
high227 FPS
ultra227 FPS
Among Us

Among Us

1080P
Core i5-12400F
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 5 1500X
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
Apex Legends

Apex Legends

1080P
Core i5-12400F
low275 FPS
medium251 FPS
high233 FPS
ultra216 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 5 1500X
low227 FPS
medium227 FPS
high227 FPS
ultra215 FPS
ARC Raiders

ARC Raiders

1080P
Core i5-12400F
low270 FPS
medium202 FPS
high171 FPS
ultra149 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 5 1500X
low227 FPS
medium193 FPS
high164 FPS
ultra143 FPS
Baldur's Gate 3

Baldur's Gate 3

1080P
Core i5-12400F
low155 FPS
medium136 FPS
high116 FPS
ultra96 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 5 1500X
low192 FPS
medium168 FPS
high135 FPS
ultra107 FPS
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

1080P
Core i5-12400F
low274 FPS
medium234 FPS
high208 FPS
ultra183 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 5 1500X
low227 FPS
medium227 FPS
high210 FPS
ultra179 FPS
Call of Duty: Warzone

Call of Duty: Warzone

1080P
Core i5-12400F
low232 FPS
medium212 FPS
high176 FPS
ultra164 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 5 1500X
low202 FPS
medium175 FPS
high144 FPS
ultra131 FPS
Check FPS with Custom Builds

Core i5-12400F vs Ryzen 5 1500X: 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: +38.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ✅Costs $15 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $189 MSRP).
  • ✅Delivers 133.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 48.0 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $189 MSRP).
  • ✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

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

Ryzen 5 1500X

2017

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • ❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (4,641 vs 12,380).
    • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 48.0 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($189 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 5 1500X?
    Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 38.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 166.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 115.3% 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 38.4% 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 166.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.
    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 $15 cheaper on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $189 MSRP, and it still gives you a 38.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 133.8% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 48.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 5 1500X 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 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2017), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of AM4, and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 4/8. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

    Core i5-12400F vs Ryzen 5 1500X Technical Specifications

    Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

    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 5 1500X

    The Ryzen 5 1500X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 11 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Zen (2017−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,074 points. Launch price was $189.

    ⚡

    Processing Power

    The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 5 1500X 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 3.7 GHz on the Ryzen 5 1500X — a 17.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 1500X uses Zen (2017−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Ryzen 5 1500X's 9,074 — a 73.1% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,380 vs 4,641 (90.9% advantage for the Core i5-12400F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 1,120, a 41.1% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 3,700 (139.7% advantage for the Ryzen 5 1500X). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 1500X.

    FeatureCore i5-12400FRyzen 5 1500X
    Cores / Threads
    6 / 12+50%
    4 / 8
    Boost Clock
    4.4 GHz+19%
    3.7 GHz
    Base Clock
    2.5 GHz
    3.5 GHz+40%
    L3 Cache
    18 MB (total)+13%
    16 MB (total)
    L2 Cache
    1.25 MB (per core)
    512K (per core)+40860%
    Process
    Intel 7 nm-50%
    14 nm
    Architecture
    Alder Lake-S (2022)
    Zen (2017−2020)
    PassMark
    19,532+115%
    9,074
    Cinebench R23 Multi
    12,380+167%
    4,641
    Geekbench 6 Single
    1,700+52%
    1,120
    Geekbench 6 Multi
    657
    3,700+463%
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 1500X 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 DDR4-2666 on the Ryzen 5 1500X — the Core i5-12400F supports 80% 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 — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and A320,B350,X370,B450,X470 (Ryzen 5 1500X).

    FeatureCore i5-12400FRyzen 5 1500X
    Socket
    LGA1700
    AM4
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 3.0
    PCIe 3.0
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+80%
    DDR4-2666
    Max RAM Capacity
    128 GB+100%
    64 GB
    RAM Channels
    2
    2
    ECC Support
    No
    Yes
    PCIe Lanes
    20
    20
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 1500X). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Ryzen 5 1500X targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; Ryzen 5 1500X rivals Core i5-7500.

    FeatureCore i5-12400FRyzen 5 1500X
    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

    At launch, the Core i5-12400F was priced at $174, while the Ryzen 5 1500X came in at $189. On launch pricing ($174 vs $189), Core i5-12400F was $15 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 48.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 1500X — making the Core i5-12400F the 80.2% better value option.

    FeatureCore i5-12400FRyzen 5 1500X
    MSRP
    $174-8%
    $189
    Performance per Dollar
    112.3+134%
    48.0
    Release Date
    2022
    2017
    Search Core i5-12400F on AmazonSearch Ryzen 5 1500X on Amazon

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