EPYC 7502 vs Core i5-12400F
EPYC 7502
Core i5-12400F
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 EPYC 7502
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-12400F
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | EPYC 7502 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($1,299) | ✅ More affordable ($110) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Zen 2 (2017−2020) / 7 nm, 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | EPYC 7502 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+343%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($1,299) | ✅ More affordable ($110) |
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 EPYC 7502 and Core i5-12400F
EPYC 7502
The EPYC 7502 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture. It features 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.35 GHz. L3 cache: 128 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 14 nm process technology. Socket: TR4. Thermal design power (TDP): 180 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Eight-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 52,107 points. Launch price was $2,600.
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 EPYC 7502 packs 32 cores / 64 threads, while the Core i5-12400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the EPYC 7502 has 26 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.35 GHz on the EPYC 7502 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 27.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The EPYC 7502 uses the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture (7 nm, 14 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7502 scores 52,107 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 90.9% lead for the EPYC 7502. L3 cache: 128 MB (total) on the EPYC 7502 vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.
| Feature | EPYC 7502 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 32 / 64+433% | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 3.35 GHz | 4.4 GHz+31% |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 128 MB (total)+611% | 18 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 512K (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core)+150% |
| Process | 7 nm, 14 nm | Intel 7 nm |
| Architecture | Zen 2 (2017−2020) | Alder Lake-S (2022) |
| PassMark | 52,107+167% | 19,532 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 12,380 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,700 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 657 |
Memory & Platform
The EPYC 7502 uses the TR4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i5-12400F uses LGA1700 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 3200 on the EPYC 7502 versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F — the EPYC 7502 supports 199.4% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 7502 supports up to 4096 of RAM compared to 128 GB — 187.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (EPYC 7502) vs 2 (Core i5-12400F). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 7502) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the EPYC 7502 offers 108 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 7502) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).
| Feature | EPYC 7502 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | TR4 | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0+33% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 3200+63900% | DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 4096 | 128 GB+3276700% |
| RAM Channels | 8+300% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 128+540% | 20 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (EPYC 7502) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: EPYC 7502 rivals Xeon Gold 6338; Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.
| Feature | EPYC 7502 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | Yes | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Gaming Performance/Value |
Value Analysis
The EPYC 7502 launched at $2600 MSRP, while the Core i5-12400F debuted at $174. At current prices ($1299 vs $110), the Core i5-12400F is $1189 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7502 delivers 40.1 pts/$ vs 177.6 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 126.3% better value option.
| Feature | EPYC 7502 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $2600 | $174-93% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $1299 | $110-92% |
| Performance per Dollar | 40.1 | 177.6+343% |
| Release Date | 2019 | 2022 |
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