Core i7-12700F vs Core i5-10400F
Core i7-12700F
Core i5-10400F
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-12700F
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-10400F
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-12700F | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($275) | ✅ More affordable ($102) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Comet Lake (2020−2025) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-12700F | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+16%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($275) | ✅ More affordable ($102) |
Performance Check
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 i7-12700F and Core i5-10400F
Core i7-12700F
The Core i7-12700F 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 12 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 25 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: 30,332 points. Launch price was $386.
Core i5-10400F
The Core i5-10400F 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 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,029 points. Launch price was $155.
Processing Power
The Core i7-12700F packs 12 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i5-10400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-12700F has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-12700F versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F — a 13% clock advantage for the Core i7-12700F (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i7-12700F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-10400F uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-12700F scores 30,332 against the Core i5-10400F's 13,029 — a 79.8% lead for the Core i7-12700F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 21,500 vs 8,191 (89.7% advantage for the Core i7-12700F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,388 vs 1,454, a 48.6% lead for the Core i7-12700F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 12,448 vs 5,783 (73.1% advantage for the Core i7-12700F). L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700F vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F.
| Feature | Core i7-12700F | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 12 / 20+100% | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 4.9 GHz+14% | 4.3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.1 GHz | 2.9 GHz+38% |
| L3 Cache | 25 MB (total)+108% | 12 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core)+400% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | Intel 7 nm-50% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-S (2022) | Comet Lake (2020−2025) |
| PassMark | 30,332+133% | 13,029 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 21,500+162% | 8,191 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,388+64% | 1,454 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 12,448+115% | 5,783 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-12700F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-10400F uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i7-12700F versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F — the Core i7-12700F 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: 20 (Core i7-12700F) vs 16 (Core i5-10400F) — the Core i7-12700F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z790,B760,Z690,B660 (Core i7-12700F) and H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F).
| Feature | Core i7-12700F | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | LGA1200 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+67% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800+25% | DDR4-2666 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20+25% | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-12700F) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F). Primary use case: Core i7-12700F targets High-performance Gaming / Productivity, Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i7-12700F rivals Ryzen 7 5800X; Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.
| Feature | Core i7-12700F | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | High-performance Gaming / Productivity | Gaming |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-12700F launched at $314 MSRP, while the Core i5-10400F debuted at $160. At current prices ($275 vs $102), the Core i5-10400F is $173 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-12700F delivers 110.3 pts/$ vs 127.7 pts/$ for the Core i5-10400F — making the Core i5-10400F the 14.7% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-12700F | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $314 | $160-49% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $275 | $102-63% |
| Performance per Dollar | 110.3 | 127.7+16% |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2020 |
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