Core i5-12400F
VS
Celeron P4600

Core i5-12400F vs Celeron P4600

Intel

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
VS
Intel

Celeron P4600

2 Cores2 Thrd35 WWMax: 0.1 GHz2010

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.

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 Celeron P4600

#1038
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
2615%
#1039
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
2577%
#1040
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
2365%
#1041
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
2355%
#1042
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
2333%
#1044
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
2253%
#1045
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
2160%
#1046
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
2157%
#1047
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
2099%
#1050
Celeron P4600
MSRP: $86|Avg: $15
100%
#1051
Core 2 Duo U7500
MSRP: $100|Avg: $10
99%
#1052
Pentium 987
MSRP: $134|Avg: $20
99%
#1053
Core i7-4910MQ
MSRP: $570|Avg: $570
98%
#1054
Pentium T4400
MSRP: $107|Avg: $5
98%
#1056
Athlon X2 QL-65
MSRP: $150|Avg: $22
97%
#1057
Pentium J2850
MSRP: $94|Avg: $94
96%
#1058
Core i7-4900MQ
MSRP: $570|Avg: $40
96%
#1059
Pentium Dual Core T2370
MSRP: $150|Avg: $25
95%
#1060
Celeron P4505
MSRP: $86|Avg: $86
95%
#1061
Pentium T4200
MSRP: $99|Avg: $10
95%
#1062
Core i7-2720QM
MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A
95%
#1063
Pentium 2020M
MSRP: $134|Avg: N/A
94%
#1064
Celeron P4500
MSRP: $86|Avg: $5
94%
#1065
Pentium Dual Core SU4100
MSRP: $134|Avg: $10
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.
InsightCore i5-12400FCeleron P4600
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($110)
More affordable ($15)
Longevity
✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Westmere (2010−2011) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Celeron P4600 (2010) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3-800, DDR3-1066, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightCore i5-12400FCeleron P4600
Cost Efficiency
Better overall value (+176%)
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($110)
More affordable ($15)

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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12400F and Celeron P4600

Intel

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.

Intel

Celeron P4600

The Celeron P4600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Westmere (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 0.1 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 965 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Celeron P4600 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 0.1 GHz on the Celeron P4600 — a 191.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Celeron P4600 uses Westmere (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Celeron P4600's 965 — a 181.2% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 2 MB on the Celeron P4600.

FeatureCore i5-12400FCeleron P4600
Cores / Threads
6 / 12+200%
2 / 2
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz+4300%
0.1 GHz
Base Clock
2.5 GHz+25%
2 GHz
L3 Cache
18 MB (total)+800%
2 MB
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)+150%
512 kB
Process
Intel 7 nm-78%
32 nm
Architecture
Alder Lake-S (2022)
Westmere (2010−2011)
PassMark
19,532+1924%
965
Cinebench R23 Multi
12,380
Geekbench 6 Single
1,700
Geekbench 6 Multi
657
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Celeron P4600 uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus 1066 on the Celeron P4600 — the Celeron P4600 supports 198.1% 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 8 176.5% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 16 (Celeron P4600) — the Core i5-12400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and HM55,HM57,QM57 (Celeron P4600).

FeatureCore i5-12400FCeleron P4600
Socket
LGA1700
PGA988
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
1066+21220%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB+1677721500%
8
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
20+25%
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs true (Celeron P4600). The Celeron P4600 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; Celeron P4600 rivals Pentium P6000.

FeatureCore i5-12400FCeleron P4600
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
true
Target Use
Gaming Performance/Value
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-12400F launched at $174 MSRP, while the Celeron P4600 debuted at $86. At current prices ($110 vs $15), the Celeron P4600 is $95 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 177.6 pts/$ vs 64.3 pts/$ for the Celeron P4600 — making the Core i5-12400F the 93.6% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-12400FCeleron P4600
MSRP
$174
$86-51%
Avg Price (30d)
$110
$15-86%
Performance per Dollar
177.6+176%
64.3
Release Date
2022
2010