Core i5-12400F vs Ryzen 5 2400G

Intel

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Popular choices:

VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 2400G

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2018

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: +85.8% higher average FPS across 6 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +350% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 4 MB).
  • Delivers 117.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 51.7 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).
  • Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
  • 66.7% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • 3% HIGHER MSRP
    $174 MSRPvs$169 MSRP
  • No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 5 2400G can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 5 2400G

2018

Why buy it

  • Costs $5 less on MSRP ($169 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon RX Vega 11, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 6 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (4,800 vs 12,380).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 18 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 51.7 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($169 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 2400G?
Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 85.8% average FPS lead across 6 shared CPU game tests in our data, 157.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 123.6% higher 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 85.8% more average FPS across 6 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 157.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 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 3.0% more expensive on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $169 MSRP, and it gives you a 85.8% average FPS lead across 6 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 117.2% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 51.7 PassMark/$), 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 5 2400G 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 2018), 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 4/8. 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 5 2400G
1080p
low183 FPS201 FPS
medium168 FPS170 FPS
high139 FPS135 FPS
ultra119 FPS98 FPS
1440p
low153 FPS172 FPS
medium132 FPS143 FPS
high106 FPS112 FPS
ultra89 FPS81 FPS
4K
low87 FPS68 FPS
medium81 FPS60 FPS
high64 FPS47 FPS
ultra49 FPS37 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetCore i5-12400FRyzen 5 2400G
1080p
low471 FPS206 FPS
medium397 FPS178 FPS
high341 FPS165 FPS
ultra301 FPS130 FPS
1440p
low407 FPS175 FPS
medium351 FPS151 FPS
high309 FPS140 FPS
ultra265 FPS115 FPS
4K
low282 FPS131 FPS
medium248 FPS116 FPS
high229 FPS95 FPS
ultra196 FPS70 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetCore i5-12400FRyzen 5 2400G
1080p
low488 FPS218 FPS
medium488 FPS218 FPS
high488 FPS218 FPS
ultra488 FPS218 FPS
1440p
low488 FPS218 FPS
medium488 FPS218 FPS
high485 FPS218 FPS
ultra434 FPS218 FPS
4K
low442 FPS218 FPS
medium389 FPS218 FPS
high337 FPS218 FPS
ultra274 FPS211 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetCore i5-12400FRyzen 5 2400G
1080p
low488 FPS218 FPS
medium488 FPS218 FPS
high488 FPS218 FPS
ultra488 FPS218 FPS
1440p
low488 FPS218 FPS
medium488 FPS218 FPS
high488 FPS218 FPS
ultra473 FPS218 FPS
4K
low488 FPS218 FPS
medium450 FPS218 FPS
high391 FPS218 FPS
ultra330 FPS218 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12400F and Ryzen 5 2400G

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 2400G

The Ryzen 5 2400G is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 12 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Raven Ridge (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 8,734 points. Launch price was $169.

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 5 2400G 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 3.9 GHz on the Ryzen 5 2400G — a 12% 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 5 2400G uses Raven Ridge (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Ryzen 5 2400G's 8,734 — a 76.4% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,380 vs 4,800 (88.2% advantage for the Core i5-12400F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 1,040, a 48.2% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 3,250 (132.7% advantage for the Ryzen 5 2400G). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 2400G.

FeatureCore i5-12400FRyzen 5 2400G
Cores / Threads
6 / 12+50%
4 / 8
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz+13%
3.9 GHz
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
3.6 GHz+44%
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-50%
14 nm
Architecture
Alder Lake-S (2022)
Raven Ridge (2017−2019)
PassMark
19,532+124%
8,734
Cinebench R23 Multi
12,380+158%
4,800
Geekbench 6 Single
1,700+63%
1,040
Geekbench 6 Multi
657
3,250+395%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 2400G 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 5 2400G — 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 12 (Ryzen 5 2400G) — the Core i5-12400F offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and A320,B350,X370,B450,X470 (Ryzen 5 2400G).

FeatureCore i5-12400FRyzen 5 2400G
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
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20+67%
12
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 2400G). The Ryzen 5 2400G includes integrated graphics (Radeon RX Vega 11), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Ryzen 5 2400G targets Entry Gaming Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

FeatureCore i5-12400FRyzen 5 2400G
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
Radeon RX Vega 11
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
AMD-V
Target Use
Gaming Performance/Value
Entry Gaming Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-12400F launched at $174 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 2400G debuted at $169. On MSRP ($174 vs $169), the Ryzen 5 2400G is $5 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 51.7 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 2400G — making the Core i5-12400F the 73.9% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-12400FRyzen 5 2400G
MSRP
$174
$169-3%
Performance per Dollar
112.3+117%
51.7
Release Date
2022
2018