Core i5-12400T vs Core i7-11700T

Intel

Core i5-12400T

6 Cores12 Thrd35 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2022
Core family
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VS
Intel

Core i7-11700T

8 Cores16 Thrd35 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2021
Core family
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Core i5-12400T vs Core i7-11700T 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 i5-12400T vs Core i7-11700T 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 i5-12400T vs Core i7-11700T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-12400T

2022

Why buy it

  • +1% higher PassMark.
  • Costs $131 less on MSRP ($192 MSRP vs $323 MSRP).
  • Delivers 69.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.0 vs 47.7 PassMark/$ ($192 MSRP vs $323 MSRP).
  • Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-11700T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Core i7-11700T

2021

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +9.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (15,393 vs 15,543).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 47.7 vs 81.0 PassMark/$ ($323 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
  • Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i5-12400T moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400T better than Core i7-11700T?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-11700T is ahead with a 9.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12400T pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12400T is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-12400T is the better buy right now. Core i5-12400T comes in $131 cheaper on MSRP at $192 MSRP versus $323 MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-11700T is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 9.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 69.9% better value on MSRP (81.0 vs 47.7 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Core i7-11700T can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap, but on MSRP alone you would want to find it meaningfully cheaper in real-world listings before that path becomes easy to justify.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-12400T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2021), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12400T vs Core i7-11700T Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-12400T

The Core i5-12400T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 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): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 15,543 points. Launch price was $299.

Intel

Core i7-11700T

The Core i7-11700T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 15,393 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400T packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-11700T offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i7-11700T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i5-12400T versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-11700T — a 9.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-11700T (base: 1.8 GHz vs 1.4 GHz). The Core i5-12400T uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-11700T uses Rocket Lake (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400T scores 15,543 against the Core i7-11700T's 15,393 — a 1% lead for the Core i5-12400T. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,650 vs 1,497, a 9.7% lead for the Core i5-12400T that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400T vs 16 MB (total) on the Core i7-11700T.

FeatureCore i5-12400TCore i7-11700T
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock
4.2 GHz
4.6 GHz+10%
Base Clock
1.8 GHz+29%
1.4 GHz
L3 Cache
18 MB (total)+13%
16 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
256K (per core)+20380%
Process
Intel 7 nm-50%
14 nm
Architecture
Alder Lake-S (2022)
Rocket Lake (2021)
PassMark
15,543
15,393
Geekbench 6 Single
1,650+10%
1,497
Geekbench 6 Multi
7,800
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400T uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-11700T uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i5-12400T versus DDR4-3200 on the Core i7-11700T — the Core i5-12400T supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690 (Core i5-12400T) and H510,B560,H570,Z590,Q570 (Core i7-11700T).

FeatureCore i5-12400TCore i7-11700T
Socket
LGA1700
LGA1200
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800+50%
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
20
20
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i7-11700T supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics Intel UHD Graphics 730 (Core i5-12400T) and UHD Graphics 750 (Core i7-11700T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400T targets Office/Home Desktop, Core i7-11700T targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-11700T rivals Ryzen 7 5700G.

FeatureCore i5-12400TCore i7-11700T
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel UHD Graphics 730
UHD Graphics 750
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Office/Home Desktop
Low Power Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12400T was priced at $192, while the Core i7-11700T came in at $323. On launch pricing ($192 vs $323), Core i5-12400T was $131 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400T delivers 81.0 pts/$ vs 47.7 pts/$ for the Core i7-11700T — making the Core i5-12400T the 51.8% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-12400TCore i7-11700T
MSRP
$192-41%
$323
Performance per Dollar
81.0+70%
47.7
Release Date
2022
2021

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