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 i5-4278U vs Core i5-12400F 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 i5-4278U vs Core i5-12400F: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4278U

2014

Why buy it

✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Iris Graphics 5100, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (1,688 vs 12,380).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 18 MB).
❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1168, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +237.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+500% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1168 and older memory support.
✅66.7% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $174 MSRP, while Core i5-4278U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4278U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Core i5-4278U?

Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 237.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 633.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 591.2% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-12400F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 237.5% 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 i5-12400F is the stronger fit. You are getting 633.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 500% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Core i5-12400F is the better buy right now. Core i5-12400F comes in at an unclear MSRP at $174 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 237.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-12400F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2014), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1168, 500% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 2/4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-4278U vs Core i5-12400F Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4278U

The Core i5-4278U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 July 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,826 points. Launch price was $315.

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.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-4278U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-12400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-12400F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-4278U versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 34.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-4278U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4278U scores 2,826 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 149.4% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 1,688 vs 12,380 (152% advantage for the Core i5-12400F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 889 vs 1,700, a 62.6% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,860 vs 657 (95.6% advantage for the Core i5-4278U). L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-4278U vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	Core i5-4278U	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	4.4 GHz+42%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+4%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	18 MB (total)+500%
L2 Cache	512 kB	1.25 MB (per core)+150%
Process	22 nm	Intel 7 nm-68%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	2,826	19,532+591%
Cinebench R23 Multi	1,688	12,380+633%
Geekbench 6 Single	889	1,700+91%
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,860+183%	657

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4278U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-12400F uses LGA1700 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Core i5-4278U versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F — the Core i5-12400F supports 200% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-12400F supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i5-4278U) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel HM86,Intel HM87,Intel QM87 (Core i5-4278U) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).

Feature	Core i5-4278U	Core i5-12400F
Socket	FCBGA1168	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+200%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	128 GB+700%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12	20+67%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: true (Core i5-4278U) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). The Core i5-4278U includes integrated graphics (Intel Iris Graphics 5100), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.