EPYC 9654 vs Core i5-12400F
EPYC 9654
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 9654
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-12400F
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | EPYC 9654 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($5,345) | ✅ More affordable ($110) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Genoa (2022−2023) / 5 nm, 6 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | EPYC 9654 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+696%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($5,345) | ✅ 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 9654 and Core i5-12400F
EPYC 9654
The EPYC 9654 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 November 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Genoa (2022−2023) architecture. It features 96 cores and 192 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 384 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm, 6 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 360 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 119,246 points. Launch price was $11,805.
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 9654 packs 96 cores / 192 threads, while the Core i5-12400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the EPYC 9654 has 90 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 9654 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 17.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The EPYC 9654 uses the Genoa (2022−2023) architecture (5 nm, 6 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9654 scores 119,246 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 143.7% lead for the EPYC 9654. 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: 20,000 vs 657 (187.3% advantage for the EPYC 9654). L3 cache: 384 MB (total) on the EPYC 9654 vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.
| Feature | EPYC 9654 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 96 / 192+1500% | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz | 4.4 GHz+19% |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz | 2.5 GHz+4% |
| L3 Cache | 384 MB (total)+2033% | 18 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core)+25% |
| Process | 5 nm, 6 nm-29% | Intel 7 nm |
| Architecture | Genoa (2022−2023) | Alder Lake-S (2022) |
| PassMark | 119,246+511% | 19,532 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 12,380 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,250 | 1,700+36% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 20,000+2944% | 657 |
Memory & Platform
The EPYC 9654 uses the SP5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-12400F uses LGA1700 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. The Core i5-12400F supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 6 TB — 182.1% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 12 (EPYC 9654) vs 2 (Core i5-12400F). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9654) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the EPYC 9654 offers 108 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP5 (EPYC 9654) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).
| Feature | EPYC 9654 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | SP5 | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+67% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800 | DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 6 TB+4700% | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 12+500% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 128+540% | 20 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: AMD-V, SEV-SNP (EPYC 9654) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). Primary use case: EPYC 9654 targets Data Center, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: EPYC 9654 rivals Xeon 8592+; Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.
| Feature | EPYC 9654 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V, SEV-SNP | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Data Center | Gaming Performance/Value |
Value Analysis
The EPYC 9654 launched at $11805 MSRP, while the Core i5-12400F debuted at $174. At current prices ($5345 vs $110), the Core i5-12400F is $5235 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9654 delivers 22.3 pts/$ vs 177.6 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 155.4% better value option.
| Feature | EPYC 9654 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $11805 | $174-99% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $5345 | $110-98% |
| Performance per Dollar | 22.3 | 177.6+696% |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2022 |
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