Core i5-12400F vs Xeon 6740P

Intel

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
VS
Intel

Xeon 6740P

48 Cores96 Thrd270 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2025

Core i5-12400F vs Xeon 6740P 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 Xeon 6740P 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 6740P: 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

  • βœ…Costs $4,476 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $4,650 MSRP).
  • βœ…Delivers 475.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 19.5 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $4,650 MSRP).
  • βœ…Draws 65W instead of 270W, a 205W reduction.
  • βœ…Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Xeon 6740P.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon 6740P across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower PassMark (19,532 vs 90,684).
  • ❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon 6740P, which brings 48 cores / 96 threads and 88 PCIe lanes.

Xeon 6740P

2025

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +4.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 48 cores / 96 threads, plus 88 PCIe lanes vs 20.
  • βœ…340% more PCIe lanes (88 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.5 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($4,650 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
  • ❌315.4% higher power demand at 270W vs 65W.
  • ❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon 6740P better than Core i5-12400F?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon 6740P 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 gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Xeon 6740P is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.6% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests. It also has a clear cache advantage at 288 MB versus 18 MB.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon 6740P is the stronger fit. You are getting 364.3% better PassMark, backed by 48 cores and 96 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 1500% larger total L3 cache (288 MB vs 18 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon 6740P is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon 6740P comes in 2572.4% more expensive on MSRP at $4,650 MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12400F is also 475.6% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 19.5 PassMark/$), 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 6740P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022), 3D V-Cache and a much larger 288 MB L3 cache instead of 18 MB, and more multi-core headroom with 48 cores / 96 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12400F vs Xeon 6740P Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Intel

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.

Intel

Xeon 6740P

The Xeon 6740P is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 February 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Granite Rapids (2024βˆ’2025) architecture. It features 48 cores and 96 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 288 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 3 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4710. Thermal design power (TDP): 270 Watt. Memory support: DDR5(6400MT/s). Passmark benchmark score: 90,684 points. Launch price was $4,650.

⚑

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon 6740P offers 48 cores / 96 threads β€” the Xeon 6740P has 42 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon 6740P β€” a 14.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon 6740P uses Granite Rapids (2024βˆ’2025) (Intel 3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Xeon 6740P's 90,684 β€” a 129.1% lead for the Xeon 6740P. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 288 MB (total) on the Xeon 6740P.

FeatureCore i5-12400FXeon 6740P
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
48 / 96+700%
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz+16%
3.8 GHz
Base Clock
2.5 GHz+19%
2.1 GHz
L3 Cache
18 MB (total)
288 MB (total)+1500%
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
2 MB (per core)+60%
Process
Intel 7 nm
Intel 3 nm-57%
Architecture
Alder Lake-S (2022)
Granite Rapids (2024βˆ’2025)
PassMark
19,532
90,684+364%
Cinebench R23 Multi
12,380
β€”
Geekbench 6 Single
1,700
β€”
Geekbench 6 Multi
657
β€”
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon 6740P uses LGA4710 (PCIe 4.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus DDR5-6400 on the Xeon 6740P β€” the Xeon 6740P supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon 6740P supports up to 4 TB of RAM compared to 128 GB β€” 3100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-12400F) vs 8 (Xeon 6740P). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 88 (Xeon 6740P) β€” the Xeon 6740P offers 68 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureCore i5-12400FXeon 6740P
Socket
LGA1700
LGA4710
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
DDR5-6400+33%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
4 TB+3100%
RAM Channels
2
8+300%
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
88+340%
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs VT-x, VT-d, VT-x EPT (Xeon 6740P). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Xeon 6740P targets High-density Compute. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; Xeon 6740P rivals EPYC 9355P.

FeatureCore i5-12400FXeon 6740P
Integrated GPU
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
VT-x, VT-d, VT-x EPT
Target Use
Gaming Performance/Value
High-density Compute
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12400F was priced at $174, while the Xeon 6740P came in at $4650. On launch pricing ($174 vs $4650), Core i5-12400F was $4476 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 19.5 pts/$ for the Xeon 6740P β€” making the Core i5-12400F the 140.8% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-12400FXeon 6740P
MSRP
$174-96%
$4650
Performance per Dollar
112.3+476%
19.5
Release Date
2022
2025

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