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 Xeon 6740E 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 Xeon 6740E: 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

✅Costs $5,091 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $5,265 MSRP).
✅Delivers 675.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 14.5 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $5,265 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 250W, a 185W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Xeon 6740E.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (19,532 vs 76,167).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 96 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon 6740E, which brings 96 cores / 96 threads and 80 PCIe lanes.

Xeon 6740E

2024

Why buy it

✅+290% higher PassMark.
✅+433.3% larger total L3 cache (96 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 96 cores / 96 threads, plus 80 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅300% more PCIe lanes (80 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.5 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($5,265 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌284.6% higher power demand at 250W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon 6740E better than Core i5-12400F?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon 6740E makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-12400F is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon 6740E is the stronger fit. You are getting 290% better PassMark, backed by 96 cores and 96 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 433.3% larger total L3 cache (96 MB vs 18 MB).

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

Xeon 6740E is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon 6740E comes in 2925.9% more expensive on MSRP at $5,265 MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it still gives you 290% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-12400F is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12400F is also 675.9% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 14.5 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Xeon 6740E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2022), 433.3% larger total L3 cache (96 MB vs 18 MB), more multi-core headroom with 96 cores / 96 threads instead of 6/12, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12400F vs Xeon 6740E 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.

Xeon 6740E

The Xeon 6740E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Sierra Forest (2024) architecture. It features 96 cores and 96 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 96 MB (total). L2 cache: 4 MB (per module). Built on Intel 3 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4710. Thermal design power (TDP): 250 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 76,167 points. Launch price was $5,265.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon 6740E offers 96 cores / 96 threads — the Xeon 6740E has 90 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon 6740E — a 31.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon 6740E uses Sierra Forest (2024) (Intel 3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Xeon 6740E's 76,167 — a 118.4% lead for the Xeon 6740E. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 96 MB (total) on the Xeon 6740E.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Xeon 6740E
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	96 / 96+1500%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+38%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+4%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	96 MB (total)+433%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	4 MB (per module)+220%
Process	Intel 7 nm	Intel 3 nm-57%
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Sierra Forest (2024)
PassMark	19,532	76,167+290%
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon 6740E uses LGA4710 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus 6400 on the Xeon 6740E — the Xeon 6740E supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon 6740E supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 3100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-12400F) vs 8 (Xeon 6740E). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 80 (Xeon 6740E) — the Xeon 6740E offers 60 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and C741 (Xeon 6740E).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Xeon 6740E
Socket	LGA1700	LGA4710
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	6400+33%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	4096 GB+3100%
RAM Channels	2	8+300%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	80+300%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs VT-x, VT-d, TDX (Xeon 6740E). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; Xeon 6740E rivals EPYC 9005.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Xeon 6740E
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, TDX
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12400F was priced at $174, while the Xeon 6740E came in at $5265. On launch pricing ($174 vs $5265), Core i5-12400F was $5091 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 14.5 pts/$ for the Xeon 6740E — making the Core i5-12400F the 154.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Xeon 6740E
MSRP	$174-97%	$5265
Performance per Dollar	112.3+674%	14.5
Release Date	2022	2024

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