Core i5-7440EQ vs Core i5-12400F

CPU

GPU

Core i5-7440EQ

4 Cores4 Thrd45 WWMax: 2.9 GHz2017

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Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

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Core i5-7440EQ vs Core i5-12400F Performance Spectrum

Core i5-7440EQ

4 / 4

5,711

0.0%

19,532

+242.0%

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 i5-7440EQ 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 i5-7440EQ 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 i5-7440EQ

2017

Why buy it

✅+347% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 630, 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 (6 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 22.8 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +122.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Costs $76 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
✅Delivers 391.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 22.8 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (657 vs 2,937).
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-7440EQ can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Core i5-7440EQ?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-12400F is ahead with a 122.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7440EQ pulls ahead with 347% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i5-12400F also has the bigger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7440EQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 347% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 4 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 $76 cheaper on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you a 122.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-7440EQ is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 347% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 391.4% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 22.8 PassMark/$), 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 2017), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of the older platform, and 200% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 6 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-7440EQ vs Core i5-12400F Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-7440EQ

The Core i5-7440EQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 5,711 points. Launch price was $250.

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.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-7440EQ packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-12400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-12400F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-7440EQ versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 41.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F. The Core i5-7440EQ uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7440EQ scores 5,711 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 109.5% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 892 vs 1,700, a 62.3% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,937 vs 657 (126.9% advantage for the Core i5-7440EQ). L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i5-7440EQ vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	Core i5-7440EQ	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz	4.4 GHz+52%
Base Clock	—	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB	18 MB (total)+200%
L2 Cache	1 MB	1.25 MB (per core)+25%
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	5,711	19,532+242%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	892	1,700+91%
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,937+347%	657

🧠

Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i5-7440EQ versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F — the Core i5-12400F supports 100% 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 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-7440EQ) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: 100-series,CM230 (Core i5-7440EQ) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).

Feature	Core i5-7440EQ	Core i5-12400F
Socket	—	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+100%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-7440EQ) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). The Core i5-7440EQ includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7440EQ targets Budget, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-7440EQ rivals Ryzen Embedded V1605B; Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i5-7440EQ	Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Budget	Gaming Performance/Value

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-7440EQ was priced at $250, while the Core i5-12400F came in at $174. On launch pricing ($250 vs $174), Core i5-12400F was $76 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-7440EQ delivers 22.8 pts/$ vs 112.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 132.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-7440EQ	Core i5-12400F
MSRP	$250	$174-30%
Performance per Dollar	22.8	112.3+393%
Release Date	2017	2022

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