Core i5-12500E vs Core i5-10400F
Core i5-12500E
Core i5-10400F
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-12500E
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-10400F
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-12500E | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($200) | ✅ More affordable ($102) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / 10 nm) | ✨ Modern (Comet Lake (2020−2025) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-12500E | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+25%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($200) | ✅ More affordable ($102) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12500E and Core i5-10400F
Core i5-12500E
The Core i5-12500E 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 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 20,411 points. Launch price was $299.
Core i5-10400F
The Core i5-10400F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,029 points. Launch price was $155.
Processing Power
Both the Core i5-12500E and Core i5-10400F share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i5-12500E versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F — a 4.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-12500E (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i5-12500E uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i5-10400F uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12500E scores 20,411 against the Core i5-10400F's 13,029 — a 44.2% lead for the Core i5-12500E. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,528 vs 8,191 (41.9% advantage for the Core i5-12500E). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,168 vs 1,454, a 39.4% lead for the Core i5-12500E that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 8,615 vs 5,783 (39.3% advantage for the Core i5-12500E). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12500E vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F.
| Feature | Core i5-12500E | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 4.5 GHz+5% | 4.3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.9 GHz | 2.9 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 18 MB (total)+50% | 12 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core)+400% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 10 nm-29% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-S (2022) | Comet Lake (2020−2025) |
| PassMark | 20,411+57% | 13,029 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 12,528+53% | 8,191 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,168+49% | 1,454 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 8,615+49% | 5,783 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-12500E uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-10400F uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i5-12500E versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F — the Core i5-12500E supports 22.2% 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. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12500E) vs 16 (Core i5-10400F) — the Core i5-12500E offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: 600-series,W680 (Core i5-12500E) and H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F).
| Feature | Core i5-12500E | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | LGA1200 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+67% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800+25% | DDR4-2666 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20+25% | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i5-12500E includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12500E targets Workstation, Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-12500E rivals EPYC 7413; Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.
| Feature | Core i5-12500E | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 770 | — |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Workstation | Gaming |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-12500E launched at $225 MSRP, while the Core i5-10400F debuted at $160. At current prices ($200 vs $102), the Core i5-10400F is $98 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12500E delivers 102.1 pts/$ vs 127.7 pts/$ for the Core i5-10400F — making the Core i5-10400F the 22.4% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-12500E | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $225 | $160-29% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $200 | $102-49% |
| Performance per Dollar | 102.1 | 127.7+25% |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2020 |
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