Core i5-12400F vs Ryzen Z2 Go

Core i5-12400F vs Ryzen Z2 Go Performance Spectrum

Core i5-12400F

6 / 12

19,532

+60.3%

12,188

0.0%

Ryzen 3 PRO 3200GE

Ryzen Embedded V1756B

Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U

Ryzen 3 PRO 5450U

Ryzen 9 8945H

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX

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 Z2 Go 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 Z2 Go: 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: +34.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+125% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 8 MB).
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen Z2 Go.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $174 MSRP, while Ryzen Z2 Go mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌3150% higher power demand at 65W vs 2W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen Z2 Go can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen Z2 Go

2025

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 65W, a 63W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon 680M, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (5,802 vs 12,380).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 18 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Ryzen Z2 Go?

Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 34.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 113.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 60.3% higher PassMark, 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 34.2% 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 113.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 125% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 8 MB).

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 at an unclear MSRP at $174 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 34.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Ryzen Z2 Go makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12400F vs Ryzen Z2 Go 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 Z2 Go

The Ryzen Z2 Go is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Rembrandt R (2025) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 6 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB + 8 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 12,188 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen Z2 Go 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 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen Z2 Go — a 2.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen Z2 Go uses Rembrandt R (2025) (6 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Ryzen Z2 Go's 12,188 — a 46.3% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,380 vs 5,802 (72.4% advantage for the Core i5-12400F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 1,842, a 8% lead for the Ryzen Z2 Go that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 6,073 (161% advantage for the Ryzen Z2 Go). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 8 MB on the Ryzen Z2 Go.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Ryzen Z2 Go
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+2%	4.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3 GHz+20%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)+125%	8 MB
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2 MB+60%
Process	Intel 7 nm	6 nm-14%
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Rembrandt R (2025)
PassMark	19,532+60%	12,188
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380+113%	5,802
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700	1,842+8%
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	6,073+824%

🧠

Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus LPDDR5-6400 on the Ryzen Z2 Go — the Ryzen Z2 Go supports 33.3% 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 Z2 Go) — 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 Rembrandt-R (Ryzen Z2 Go).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Ryzen Z2 Go
Socket	LGA1700	—
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	LPDDR5-6400+33%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs SVM (Ryzen Z2 Go). The Ryzen Z2 Go includes integrated graphics (Radeon 680M), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Ryzen Z2 Go targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; Ryzen Z2 Go rivals Core Ultra 5 135U.