Core i5-14400 vs Core i9-12900HK

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 i5-14400 vs Core i9-12900HK 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 i5-14400 vs Core i9-12900HK: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-14400

2024

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-12900HK across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (25,329 vs 25,512).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $221 MSRP, while Core i9-12900HK mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Core i9-12900HK

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EUs), while Core i5-14400 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-12900HK better than Core i5-14400?

Yes. Core i9-12900HK is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 14.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.7% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-12900HK is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 14.8% 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 i9-12900HK is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 MB).

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

Core i9-12900HK is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-14400 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-12900HK comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $221 MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-14400 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (114.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i5-14400 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2022). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-14400 vs Core i9-12900HK Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-14400

The Core i5-14400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture. It features 10 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 20 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: 25,329 points. Launch price was $221.

Core i9-12900HK

The Core i9-12900HK is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 25,512 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-14400 packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i9-12900HK offers 14 cores / 20 threads — the Core i9-12900HK has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i5-14400 versus 5 GHz on the Core i9-12900HK — a 6.2% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900HK (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-14400 uses the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-12900HK uses Alder Lake-H (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-14400 scores 25,329 against the Core i9-12900HK's 25,512 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i9-12900HK. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-14400 vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900HK.

Feature	Core i5-14400	Core i9-12900HK
Cores / Threads	10 / 16	14 / 20+40%
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz	5 GHz+6%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	24 MB (total)+20%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025)	Alder Lake-H (2022)
PassMark	25,329	25,512
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	18,197
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,938
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	13,317

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-14400 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-12900HK uses FCBGA1744 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-14400	Core i9-12900HK
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA1744
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	28

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-14400) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i9-12900HK). The Core i9-12900HK includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EUs)), while the Core i5-14400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-12900HK targets Enthusiast Gaming Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i9-12900HK rivals Ryzen 9 6900HX.

Feature	Core i5-14400	Core i9-12900HK
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EUs)
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Enthusiast Gaming Laptop