FX-8320 vs Core i5-12400F
FX-8320
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. The FX-8320 is positioned at rank #566 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. 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 FX-8320
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-12400F
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | FX-8320 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($50) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($110) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Vishera (2012−2015) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | FX-8320 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+62%) |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($50) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($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 FX-8320 and Core i5-12400F
FX-8320
The FX-8320 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 23 October 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L2 cache: 8192 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,472 points. Launch price was $149.
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 FX-8320 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-12400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the FX-8320 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the FX-8320 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 9.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The FX-8320 uses the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the FX-8320 scores 5,472 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 112.5% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 4,500 vs 12,380 (93.4% advantage for the Core i5-12400F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 458 vs 1,700, a 115.1% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,791 vs 657 (92.6% advantage for the FX-8320).
| Feature | FX-8320 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 8+33% | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 4 GHz | 4.4 GHz+10% |
| Base Clock | 3.5 GHz+40% | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | — | 18 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 8192 kB+540% | 1.25 MB (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | Intel 7 nm-78% |
| Architecture | Vishera (2012−2015) | Alder Lake-S (2022) |
| PassMark | 5,472 | 19,532+257% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 4,500 | 12,380+175% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 458 | 1,700+271% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,791+173% | 657 |
Memory & Platform
The FX-8320 uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-12400F uses LGA1700 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1866 on the FX-8320 versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F — the Core i5-12400F supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-12400F supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (FX-8320) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: 970,990X,990FX (FX-8320) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).
| Feature | FX-8320 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3+ | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1866 | DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+67% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 128 GB+300% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 20+25% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: AMD-V (FX-8320) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). Primary use case: FX-8320 targets Productivity, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: FX-8320 rivals Core i5-3570; Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.
| Feature | FX-8320 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Productivity | Gaming Performance/Value |
Value Analysis
The FX-8320 launched at $169 MSRP, while the Core i5-12400F debuted at $174. At current prices ($50 vs $110), the FX-8320 is $60 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the FX-8320 delivers 109.4 pts/$ vs 177.6 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 47.5% better value option.
| Feature | FX-8320 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $169-3% | $174 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $50-55% | $110 |
| Performance per Dollar | 109.4 | 177.6+62% |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2022 |
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