Core i5-12400F vs A9-9420

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

A9-9420

2 Cores2 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2016

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-12400F

6 / 12

19,532

+1170.0%

1,538

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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 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 Per Dollar A9-9420

#1062

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2862%

#1063

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2820%

#1064

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2589%

#1065

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2578%

#1066

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2554%

#1068

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2466%

#1069

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2365%

#1070

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2361%

#1071

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2298%

#1074

A9-9420

MSRP: $150|Avg: $30

100%

#1075

Celeron B730

MSRP: $70|Avg: $10

100%

#1078

A9-9425

MSRP: $150|Avg: $30

99%

#1080

Core i5-4402E

MSRP: $266|Avg: $100

98%

#1081

A6-7000

MSRP: $100|Avg: $15

98%

#1083

Core i5-2520M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

97%

#1084

Core i7-2710QE

MSRP: $378|Avg: $40

97%

#1089

Core i5-3610ME

MSRP: $276|Avg: $22

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i5-12400F (2022) utilizes Intel 7 nm technology and DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i5-12400F	A9-9420
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($110)	✅ More affordable ($30)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) / 28 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The A9-9420 (2016) relies on 28 nm technology and DDR4, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i5-12400F	A9-9420
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+246%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($110)	✅ More affordable ($30)

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 i5-12400F Benchmark Check

A9-9420 Benchmark Check

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12400F and A9-9420

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.

A9-9420

The A9-9420 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 31 May 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (total). Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FT4. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,538 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the A9-9420 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Core i5-12400F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 3.6 GHz on the A9-9420 — a 20% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the A9-9420 uses Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the A9-9420's 1,538 — a 170.8% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 497, a 109.5% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 950 (36.5% advantage for the A9-9420). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 0 kB on the A9-9420.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	A9-9420
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+200%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+22%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3 GHz+20%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+25%	1 MB (total)
Process	Intel 7 nm-75%	28 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Stoney Ridge (2016−2019)
PassMark	19,532+1170%	1,538
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700+242%	497
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	950+45%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the A9-9420 uses FT4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus DDR4-2133 on the A9-9420 — the Core i5-12400F supports 22.2% 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 8 GB — 176.5% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-12400F) vs 1 (A9-9420). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 8 (A9-9420) — the Core i5-12400F offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and SoC (A9-9420).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	A9-9420
Socket	LGA1700	FT4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+25%	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+1500%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2+100%	1
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	20+150%	8

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs AMD-V (A9-9420). The A9-9420 includes integrated graphics (Radeon R5), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, A9-9420 targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; A9-9420 rivals Pentium N4200.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	A9-9420
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Radeon R5
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	AMD-V
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	Budget Laptop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-12400F launched at $174 MSRP, while the A9-9420 debuted at $150. At current prices ($110 vs $30), the A9-9420 is $80 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 177.6 pts/$ vs 51.3 pts/$ for the A9-9420 — making the Core i5-12400F the 110.4% better value option.