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

✅Costs $2,225 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $2,399 MSRP).
✅Delivers 571.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 16.7 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $2,399 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 280W, a 215W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of sWRX8 and DDR4.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX across 11 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (19,532 vs 40,126).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX, which brings 12 cores / 24 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +27.8% higher average FPS across 11 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+255.6% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 12 cores / 24 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅540% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 16.7 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($2,399 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌330.8% higher power demand at 280W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on sWRX8 with DDR4, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $2,225 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $2,399 MSRP).
✅Delivers 571.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 16.7 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $2,399 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 280W, a 215W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of sWRX8 and DDR4.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +27.8% higher average FPS across 11 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+255.6% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 12 cores / 24 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅540% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX across 11 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (19,532 vs 40,126).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX, which brings 12 cores / 24 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 16.7 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($2,399 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌330.8% higher power demand at 280W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on sWRX8 with DDR4, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX better than Core i5-12400F?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-12400F is the better mainstream desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and day-to-day practicality.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 27.8% more average FPS across 11 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX is the better fit. You are getting 105.4% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 255.6% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 18 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12400F makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX is 1278.7% more expensive on MSRP at $2,399 MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it gives you a 27.8% average FPS lead across 11 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12400F is also 571.1% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 16.7 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That makes it the safer long-term pick.

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.

Core i5-12400F Benchmark Check

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX
1080p
low	183 FPS	208 FPS
medium	168 FPS	170 FPS
high	139 FPS	144 FPS
ultra	119 FPS	108 FPS
1440p
low	153 FPS	187 FPS
medium	132 FPS	150 FPS
high	106 FPS	122 FPS
ultra	89 FPS	91 FPS
4K
low	87 FPS	91 FPS
medium	81 FPS	78 FPS
high	64 FPS	61 FPS
ultra	49 FPS	49 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX
1080p
low	471 FPS	770 FPS
medium	397 FPS	656 FPS
high	341 FPS	516 FPS
ultra	301 FPS	453 FPS
1440p
low	407 FPS	639 FPS
medium	351 FPS	554 FPS
high	309 FPS	457 FPS
ultra	265 FPS	373 FPS
4K
low	282 FPS	375 FPS
medium	248 FPS	327 FPS
high	229 FPS	296 FPS
ultra	196 FPS	262 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX
1080p
low	488 FPS	802 FPS
medium	488 FPS	659 FPS
high	488 FPS	602 FPS
ultra	488 FPS	524 FPS
1440p
low	488 FPS	617 FPS
medium	488 FPS	506 FPS
high	485 FPS	458 FPS
ultra	434 FPS	394 FPS
4K
low	442 FPS	447 FPS
medium	389 FPS	357 FPS
high	337 FPS	323 FPS
ultra	274 FPS	257 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX
1080p
low	488 FPS	1003 FPS
medium	488 FPS	1003 FPS
high	488 FPS	911 FPS
ultra	488 FPS	806 FPS
1440p
low	488 FPS	933 FPS
medium	488 FPS	817 FPS
high	488 FPS	703 FPS
ultra	473 FPS	601 FPS
4K
low	488 FPS	667 FPS
medium	450 FPS	599 FPS
high	391 FPS	521 FPS
ultra	330 FPS	437 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12400F and Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

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 Threadripper PRO 5945WX

The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 8 March 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Chagall PRO (2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 4.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: sWRX8. Thermal design power (TDP): 280 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 40,126 points. Launch price was $499.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 4.5 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX (base: 2.5 GHz vs 4.1 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX uses Chagall PRO (2022) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX's 40,126 — a 69% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 64 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	12 / 24+100%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.5 GHz+2%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	4.1 GHz+64%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	64 MB+256%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+150%	512K (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	7 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Chagall PRO (2022)
PassMark	19,532	40,126+105%
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 Threadripper PRO 5945WX uses sWRX8 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus 3200 on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX supports 199.4% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX supports up to 2048 of RAM compared to 128 GB — 176.5% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-12400F) vs 8 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 128 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX) — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX offers 108 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and WRX80 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX
Socket	LGA1700	sWRX8
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	3200+63900%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+6553500%	2048
RAM Channels	2	8+300%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	128+540%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX rivals Xeon W-3335.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-12400F launched at $174 MSRP, while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX debuted at $2399. On MSRP ($174 vs $2399), the Core i5-12400F is $2225 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 16.7 pts/$ for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX — making the Core i5-12400F the 148.1% better value option.