Core i7-10700F
VS
Core i5-12400F

Core i7-10700F vs Core i5-12400F

Intel

Core i7-10700F

8 Cores16 Thrd125 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2020
VS
Intel

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-10700F

#285
Core i5-10400
MSRP: $182|Avg: $175
106%
#286
Core i3-12100
MSRP: $122|Avg: $180
106%
#287
Core Ultra 9 285T
MSRP: $549|Avg: $549
104%
#288
Core i5-12500TE
MSRP: $225|Avg: $225
103%
#288
Ryzen Threadripper 1950
MSRP: $999|Avg: $300
34%
#289
Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE
MSRP: $108|Avg: $70
103%
#290
Core i9-10900KF
MSRP: $509|Avg: $336
102%
#291
Core i9-14900T
MSRP: $549|Avg: $577
102%
#291
Core i9-7900X
MSRP: $999|Avg: $188
32%
#292
Core i5-13500T
MSRP: $342|Avg: $342
102%
#293
Core i3-10300
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $140.49
102%
#294
Core i9-10900F
MSRP: $464|Avg: $300
102%
#294
Core i9-7920X
MSRP: $1199|Avg: $236
30%
#295
Core i9-7940X
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $275
28%
#295
Ryzen 7 5800X3D
MSRP: $449|Avg: $429
102%
#296
Core i7-9700F
MSRP: $323|Avg: $200
102%
#297
Ryzen Threadripper 9960X
MSRP: $1499|Avg: $1419
101%
#298
Core i5-9500F
MSRP: $187|Avg: $154
100%
#298
Core i9-7960X
MSRP: $1699|Avg: $185
26%
#299
Core i9-7980XE
MSRP: $1999|Avg: $300
23%
#299
Core i9-11900KB
MSRP: $539|Avg: $350
100%
#300
Core i7-10700F
MSRP: $310|Avg: $250
100%
#301
Core i7-10700T
MSRP: $355|Avg: $200
100%
#302
Core i7-6900K
MSRP: $1089|Avg: $1089
21%
#302
Celeron G5920
MSRP: $52|Avg: $40
100%
#303
Core i3-10105T
MSRP: $122|Avg: $122
99%
#303
Core i7-5960X
MSRP: $999|Avg: $83
21%
#304
Core i7-6950X
MSRP: $1723|Avg: $180
16%
#304
Celeron G5900
MSRP: $50|Avg: $42
99%
#305
Core 5 120
MSRP: $340|Avg: $340
99%
#306
Core i7-12700T
MSRP: $339|Avg: $337
97%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-12400F

#15
Core i3-8300T
MSRP: $138|Avg: $25
121%
#16
Core Ultra 5 225F
MSRP: $231|Avg: $150
118%
#17
Core Ultra 7 265K
MSRP: $309|Avg: $285
116%
#18
Ryzen 9 3900
MSRP: $499|Avg: $150
115%
#19
Ryzen 5 3600X
MSRP: $249|Avg: $90
113%
#20
Core i7-14700KF
MSRP: $384|Avg: $260
113%
#21
Core i7-14700K
MSRP: $409|Avg: $270
109%
#22
Ryzen 5 4500
MSRP: $129|Avg: $85
106%
#23
Ryzen 5 5600
MSRP: $199|Avg: $115
106%
#24
Celeron G5925
MSRP: $62|Avg: $15
105%
#25
Ryzen 5 7500F
MSRP: $179|Avg: $145
104%
#26
Core Ultra 5 245
MSRP: $319|Avg: $220
103%
#27
Ryzen 7 2700
MSRP: $299|Avg: $86
102%
#28
Core Ultra 7 265KF
MSRP: $379|Avg: $323
102%
#29
Core Ultra 7 265F
MSRP: $369|Avg: $276
100%
#30
Core i5-12400F
MSRP: $174|Avg: $110
100%
#31
Ryzen 3 PRO 5355G
MSRP: $130|Avg: $80
99%
#32
Ryzen 7 2700X
MSRP: $329|Avg: $100
98%
#33
Core i3-10100F
MSRP: $88|Avg: $50
98%
#34
Ryzen 5 7400F
MSRP: $150|Avg: $147
98%
#35
Ryzen 5 9600X
MSRP: $279|Avg: $178
95%
#36
Ryzen 7 3800X
MSRP: $399|Avg: $140
93%
#37
Ryzen 3 5300G
MSRP: $130|Avg: $80
92%
#38
Ryzen 9 7900X
MSRP: $549|Avg: $316
91%
#39
Ryzen 5 5600X
MSRP: $299|Avg: $135
91%
#40
Core i5-14600KF
MSRP: $304|Avg: $239
91%
#41
Ryzen 7 5800
MSRP: $349|Avg: $160
91%
#42
Core i3-14100F
MSRP: $109|Avg: $96
90%
#43
Ryzen 7 3700X
MSRP: $329|Avg: $140
90%
#44
Ryzen 5 7600X
MSRP: $299|Avg: $178
90%
#45
Ryzen 3 3100
MSRP: $99|Avg: $75
90%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i5-12400F delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i7-10700F in both compute-intensive tasks (19% faster) and gaming workloads.
InsightCore i7-10700FCore i5-12400F
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($250)
More affordable ($110)
Longevity
✨ Modern (Comet Lake (2020−2025) / 14 nm)
✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: The Core i5-12400F leads not only in performance but also in value. It is effectively 56% cheaper ($110 vs $250) while identifying as the stronger performer.
InsightCore i7-10700FCore i5-12400F
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Better overall value (+175%)
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($250)
More affordable ($110)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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 i7-10700F and Core i5-12400F

Intel

Core i7-10700F

The Core i7-10700F 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 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 16,139 points. Launch price was $299.

Intel

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 i7-10700F packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i5-12400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-10700F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-10700F versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 8.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-10700F (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i7-10700F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-10700F scores 16,139 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 19% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,000 vs 12,380 (3.1% advantage for the Core i5-12400F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,250 vs 1,700, a 30.5% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 7,800 vs 657 (168.9% advantage for the Core i7-10700F). L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i7-10700F vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

FeatureCore i7-10700FCore i5-12400F
Cores / Threads
8 / 16+33%
6 / 12
Boost Clock
4.8 GHz+9%
4.4 GHz
Base Clock
2.9 GHz+16%
2.5 GHz
L3 Cache
16 MB (total)
18 MB (total)+13%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
1.25 MB (per core)+400%
Process
14 nm
Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture
Comet Lake (2020−2025)
Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark
16,139
19,532+21%
Cinebench R23 Multi
12,000
12,380+3%
Geekbench 6 Single
1,250
1,700+36%
Geekbench 6 Multi
7,800+1087%
657
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-10700F uses the LGA1200 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 DDR4-2933 on the Core i7-10700F versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F — the Core i5-12400F 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: 16 (Core i7-10700F) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,Z590 (Core i7-10700F) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).

FeatureCore i7-10700FCore i5-12400F
Socket
LGA1200
LGA1700
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2933
DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+25%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
20+25%
🔧

Advanced Features

Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Primary use case: Core i7-10700F targets Gaming/Content Creation, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i7-10700F rivals Ryzen 5 5600X; Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

FeatureCore i7-10700FCore i5-12400F
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Gaming/Content Creation
Gaming Performance/Value
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-10700F launched at $310 MSRP, while the Core i5-12400F debuted at $174. At current prices ($250 vs $110), the Core i5-12400F is $140 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-10700F delivers 64.6 pts/$ vs 177.6 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 93.3% better value option.

FeatureCore i7-10700FCore i5-12400F
MSRP
$310
$174-44%
Avg Price (30d)
$250
$110-56%
Performance per Dollar
64.6
177.6+175%
Release Date
2020
2022