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 i5-5257U 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 i5-5257U 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 i5-5257U

2015

Why buy it

✅+189.2% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Iris Graphics 6100, 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.
❌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.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +224.1% 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

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (657 vs 1,900).
❌Launch MSRP is still $174 MSRP, while Core i5-5257U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-5257U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Core i5-5257U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-12400F is ahead with a 224.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-5257U pulls ahead with 189.2% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i5-12400F also has the bigger cache pool with 500% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 3 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-5257U is the stronger fit. You are getting 189.2% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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 $174 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 224.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-5257U is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 189.2% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2015), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1168, and 500% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 3 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-5257U vs Core i5-12400F Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-5257U

The Core i5-5257U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,837 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 i5-5257U 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 i5-5257U versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 34.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-5257U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-5257U scores 2,837 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 149.3% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 950 vs 1,700, a 56.6% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,900 vs 657 (97.2% advantage for the Core i5-5257U). L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-5257U vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	Core i5-5257U	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	4.4 GHz+42%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+8%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	18 MB (total)+500%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+20380%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Broadwell-U (2015)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	2,837	19,532+588%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	950	1,700+79%
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,900+189%	657

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-5257U 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 LPDDR3 1866 MHz on the Core i5-5257U versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F — the Core i5-12400F supports 157.2% 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 i5-5257U) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Broadwell-U (Core i5-5257U) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).

Feature	Core i5-5257U	Core i5-12400F
Socket	FCBGA1168	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR3 1866 MHz	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+157%
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 i5-5257U) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). The Core i5-5257U includes integrated graphics (Intel Iris Graphics 6100), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-5257U targets Mobile, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i5-5257U	Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel Iris Graphics 6100	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Mobile	Gaming Performance/Value