Core i9-7980XE vs Core i5-12400F

Core i9-7980XE

18 Cores36 Thrd165 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2017

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i9-7980XE

18 / 36

29,634

+51.7%

19,532

0.0%

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.

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 i9-7980XE

#284

Core i7-14701E

MSRP: $392|Avg: $380

464%

#284

Ryzen Threadripper 1950X

MSRP: $999|Avg: $300

186%

#285

Core i5-10400

MSRP: $182|Avg: $175

462%

#286

Core i3-12100

MSRP: $122|Avg: $180

462%

#287

Core Ultra 9 285T

MSRP: $549|Avg: $549

454%

#288

Ryzen Threadripper 1950

MSRP: $999|Avg: $300

149%

#288

Core i5-12500TE

MSRP: $225|Avg: $225

450%

#289

Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE

MSRP: $108|Avg: $70

447%

#290

Core i9-10900KF

MSRP: $509|Avg: $336

446%

#291

Core i9-14900T

MSRP: $549|Avg: $577

446%

#291

Core i9-7900X

MSRP: $999|Avg: $188

141%

#292

Core i5-13500T

MSRP: $342|Avg: $342

446%

#293

Core i3-10300

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $140.49

446%

#294

Core i9-10900F

MSRP: $464|Avg: $300

445%

#294

Core i9-7920X

MSRP: $1199|Avg: $236

132%

#295

Ryzen 7 5800X3D

MSRP: $449|Avg: $429

445%

#295

Core i9-7940X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $275

123%

#296

Core i7-9700F

MSRP: $323|Avg: $200

444%

#297

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

MSRP: $1499|Avg: $1419

441%

#298

Core i9-7960X

MSRP: $1699|Avg: $185

111%

#298

Core i5-9500F

MSRP: $187|Avg: $154

438%

#299

Core i9-7980XE

MSRP: $1999|Avg: $300

100%

#299

Core i9-11900KB

MSRP: $539|Avg: $350

438%

#300

Core i7-10700F

MSRP: $310|Avg: $250

436%

#301

Core i7-10700T

MSRP: $355|Avg: $200

435%

#302

Core i7-6900K

MSRP: $1089|Avg: $1089

91%

#302

Celeron G5920

MSRP: $52|Avg: $40

435%

#303

Core i3-10105T

MSRP: $122|Avg: $122

432%

#303

Core i7-5960X

MSRP: $999|Avg: $83

90%

#304

Core i7-6950X

MSRP: $1723|Avg: $180

69%

#304

Celeron G5900

MSRP: $50|Avg: $42

431%

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 Analysis: Based on specifications, the Core i9-7980XE shows stronger theoretical performance metrics.

Insight	Core i9-7980XE	Core i5-12400F
Gaming	Balanced gaming performance	Balanced gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($300)	✅ More affordable ($110)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm)	✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Value Proposition: The Core i5-12400F offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $110 (vs $300), it costs 63% less. While offering lower overall performance, it results in a 80% higher cost efficiency score compared to the Core i9-7980XE.

Insight	Core i9-7980XE	Core i5-12400F
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+80%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($300)	✅ 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.

Core i9-7980XE Benchmark Check

Core i5-12400F Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i9-7980XE and Core i5-12400F

Core i9-7980XE

The Core i9-7980XE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 24.75 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 29,634 points. Launch price was $1,999.

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 i9-7980XE packs 18 cores / 36 threads, while the Core i5-12400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-7980XE has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i9-7980XE versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i9-7980XE uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-7980XE scores 29,634 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 41.1% lead for the Core i9-7980XE. L3 cache: 24.75 MB (total) on the Core i9-7980XE vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	Core i9-7980XE	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	18 / 36+200%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+4%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	24.75 MB (total)+38%	18 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)+25%
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	29,634+52%	19,532
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,700
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	657

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-7980XE uses the LGA2066 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 DDR4-2666 on the Core i9-7980XE 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. Memory channels: 4 (Core i9-7980XE) vs 2 (Core i5-12400F). PCIe lanes: 44 (Core i9-7980XE) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i9-7980XE offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i9-7980XE	Core i5-12400F
Socket	LGA2066	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+25%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	4+100%	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	44+120%	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-7980XE) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). Primary use case: Core i9-7980XE targets Workstation, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i9-7980XE	Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	Yes	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Workstation	Gaming Performance/Value

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i9-7980XE launched at $1999 MSRP, while the Core i5-12400F debuted at $174. At current prices ($300 vs $110), the Core i5-12400F is $190 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-7980XE delivers 98.8 pts/$ vs 177.6 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 57% better value option.