Core i5-12400F vs Ryzen 5 2600

CPU

GPU

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Core family

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Ryzen 5 2600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2018

Ryzen family

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Core i5-12400F vs Ryzen 5 2600 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-12400F

6 / 12

19,532

+48.6%

13,145

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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 2600 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 5 2600: 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: +25.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $25 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
✅Delivers 69.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 66.1 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $199 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 2600

2018

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 (6,344 vs 12,380).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 66.1 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($199 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 2600?

Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 25.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 95.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 48.6% 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 25.0% 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 95.1% 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 $25 cheaper on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you a 25.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 69.9% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 66.1 PassMark/$), 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 2600 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 2018), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of AM4, and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12400F vs Ryzen 5 2600 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 5 2600

The Ryzen 5 2600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 19 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Pinnacle Riege (Zen+) (2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,145 points. Launch price was $199.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-12400F and Ryzen 5 2600 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 3.9 GHz on the Ryzen 5 2600 — a 12% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 2600 uses Pinnacle Riege (Zen+) (2018) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Ryzen 5 2600's 13,145 — a 39.1% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,380 vs 6,344 (64.5% advantage for the Core i5-12400F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 1,163, a 37.5% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 4,893 (152.6% advantage for the Ryzen 5 2600). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 2600.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Ryzen 5 2600
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+13%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.4 GHz+36%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)+13%	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	3 MB+140%
Process	Intel 7 nm-42%	12 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Pinnacle Riege (Zen+) (2018)
PassMark	19,532+49%	13,145
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380+95%	6,344
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700+46%	1,163
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	4,893+645%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 2600 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 2600 — the Core i5-12400F supports 63.7% 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 AMD B450,AMD X470,AMD B350,AMD X370 (Ryzen 5 2600).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Ryzen 5 2600
Socket	LGA1700	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+64%	DDR4-2933
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 Yes (Ryzen 5 2600). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Ryzen 5 2600 targets General Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; Ryzen 5 2600 rivals Core i5-9400.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Ryzen 5 2600
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	Yes
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	General Productivity

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12400F was priced at $174, while the Ryzen 5 2600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($174 vs $199), Core i5-12400F was $25 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 66.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 2600 — making the Core i5-12400F the 51.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Ryzen 5 2600
MSRP	$174-13%	$199
Performance per Dollar	112.3+70%	66.1
Release Date	2022	2018

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