Core i7-8709G
VS
Core i5-12400F

Core i7-8709G vs Core i5-12400F

Intel

Core i7-8709G

4 Cores8 Thrd100 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2018
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. The Core i7-8709G is positioned at rank #818 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. 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 i7-8709G

#806
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
1250%
#807
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
1232%
#808
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
1131%
#809
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
1126%
#810
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
1115%
#812
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
1077%
#813
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1033%
#814
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1031%
#815
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
1003%
#818
Core i7-8709G
MSRP: $338|Avg: $150
100%
#819
Celeron M 560
MSRP: $86|Avg: $10
99%
#824
Celeron Dual-Core T3000
MSRP: $80|Avg: $15
96%
#825
Pentium P6100
MSRP: $100|Avg: $16.39
96%
#828
Celeron M 575
MSRP: $86|Avg: $12
95%
#829
Core i7-10710U
MSRP: $415|Avg: N/A
95%
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 i7-8709G in both compute-intensive tasks (84.5% faster) and gaming workloads.
InsightCore i7-8709GCore i5-12400F
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($150)
More affordable ($110)
Longevity
✨ Modern (Kaby Lake G (2018) / 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 27% cheaper ($110 vs $150) while identifying as the stronger performer.
InsightCore i7-8709GCore i5-12400F
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Better overall value (+236%)
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($150)
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 i7-8709G and Core i5-12400F

Intel

Core i7-8709G

The Core i7-8709G is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake G (2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2270. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 7,934 points. Launch price was $149.

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 i7-8709G packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-12400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-12400F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i7-8709G versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 7.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i7-8709G uses the Kaby Lake G (2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-8709G scores 7,934 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 84.5% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-8709G vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

FeatureCore i7-8709GCore i5-12400F
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock
4.1 GHz
4.4 GHz+7%
Base Clock
3.1 GHz+24%
2.5 GHz
L3 Cache
8 MB (total)
18 MB (total)+125%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
1.25 MB (per core)+400%
Process
14 nm
Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture
Kaby Lake G (2018)
Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark
7,934
19,532+146%
Cinebench R23 Multi
12,380
Geekbench 6 Single
1,700
Geekbench 6 Multi
657
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-8709G uses the FCBGA2270 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-12400F uses LGA1700 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-8709GCore i5-12400F
Socket
FCBGA2270
LGA1700
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
20
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-8709G) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

FeatureCore i7-8709GCore i5-12400F
Integrated GPU
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Gaming Performance/Value
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-8709G launched at $338 MSRP, while the Core i5-12400F debuted at $174. At current prices ($150 vs $110), the Core i5-12400F is $40 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-8709G delivers 52.9 pts/$ vs 177.6 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 108.2% better value option.

FeatureCore i7-8709GCore i5-12400F
MSRP
$338
$174-49%
Avg Price (30d)
$150
$110-27%
Performance per Dollar
52.9
177.6+236%
Release Date
2018
2022