Core i5-12400F
Ryzen 9 5900HX
Core i5-12400F vs Ryzen 9 5900HX Performance Spectrum
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 9 5900HX 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
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Among Us
Apex Legends
ARC Raiders
Baldur's Gate 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Core i5-12400F vs Ryzen 9 5900HX: 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
2022Why buy it
- ✅Costs $92 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $266 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 34.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 83.5 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $266 MSRP).
- ✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FP6 and DDR4.
- ✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 5900HX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (12,380 vs 13,955).
- ❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
- ❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 9 5900HX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
Ryzen 9 5900HX
2021Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +17.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
- ✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon RX Vega 8, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 83.5 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($266 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
- ❌Older platform position on FP6 with DDR4, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
Quick Answers
So, is Ryzen 9 5900HX better than Core i5-12400F?
Which one is better for gaming?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-12400F vs Ryzen 9 5900HX 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 9 5900HX
The Ryzen 9 5900HX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 12 January 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Cezanne-H (Zen 3) (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FP6. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 22,198 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 9 5900HX offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 9 5900HX has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900HX — a 4.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900HX (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 9 5900HX uses Cezanne-H (Zen 3) (2021) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Ryzen 9 5900HX's 22,198 — a 12.8% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900HX. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,380 vs 13,955 (12% advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900HX). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 1,845, a 8.2% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900HX that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 7,587 (168.1% advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900HX). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 9 5900HX.
| Feature | Core i5-12400F | Ryzen 9 5900HX |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 8 / 16+33% |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz | 4.6 GHz+5% |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 3.3 GHz+32% |
| L3 Cache | 18 MB (total)+13% | 16 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 512K (per core)+40860% |
| Process | Intel 7 nm | 7 nm |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-S (2022) | Cezanne-H (Zen 3) (2021) |
| PassMark | 19,532 | 22,198+14% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 12,380 | 13,955+13% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,700 | 1,845+9% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 657 | 7,587+1055% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 9 5900HX uses FP6 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus DDR4-3200, LPDDR4-4266 on the Ryzen 9 5900HX — the Core i5-12400F supports 50% 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. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 16 (Ryzen 9 5900HX) — the Core i5-12400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and FP6 (Ryzen 9 5900HX).
| Feature | Core i5-12400F | Ryzen 9 5900HX |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | FP6 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0+33% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+50% | DDR4-3200, LPDDR4-4266 |
| 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 9 5900HX). The Ryzen 9 5900HX includes integrated graphics (Radeon RX Vega 8), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Ryzen 9 5900HX targets Gaming Laptop / Mobile Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; Ryzen 9 5900HX rivals Core i9-11980HK.
| Feature | Core i5-12400F | Ryzen 9 5900HX |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Radeon RX Vega 8 |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Gaming Performance/Value | Gaming Laptop / Mobile Workstation |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Core i5-12400F was priced at $174, while the Ryzen 9 5900HX came in at $266. On launch pricing ($174 vs $266), Core i5-12400F was $92 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 83.5 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 5900HX — making the Core i5-12400F the 29.4% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-12400F | Ryzen 9 5900HX |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $174-35% | $266 |
| Performance per Dollar | 112.3+34% | 83.5 |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2021 |
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