Core i5-12400F vs Core 2 Duo E4500

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Core 2 Duo E4500

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2007

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-12400F

6 / 12

19,532

+1576.6%

1,165

0.0%

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 Core 2 Duo E4500

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

35584%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

33623%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

24413%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

7355%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

5826%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

5096%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

2919%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

2881%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

2623%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

2623%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

2593%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

2524%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

2488%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

2478%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

2456%

#1017

Core 2 Duo E4500

MSRP: $133|Avg: $10

100%

#1019

Core 2 Duo E7600

MSRP: $133|Avg: $50

99%

#1020

Core 2 Duo E8700

MSRP: $256|Avg: $30

99%

#1021

Core i7-3970X

MSRP: $990|Avg: $60

99%

#1022

Core 2 Duo E6550

MSRP: $163|Avg: $20

98%

#1023

Phenom X3 8450

MSRP: $145|Avg: $147

96%

#1024

Core i7-3960X

MSRP: $999|Avg: $60

96%

#1025

Celeron 2.70

MSRP: $49|Avg: $49

95%

#1027

A10 PRO-7850B

MSRP: $426|Avg: $140

92%

#1028

Core 2 Quad Q8200

MSRP: $224|Avg: $36

92%

#1029

A12-9800E

MSRP: $426|Avg: $150

92%

#1030

Phenom II X6 1065T

MSRP: $426|Avg: $170

91%

#1031

Celeron 440

MSRP: $59|Avg: $10

91%

#1032

A8-3820

MSRP: $280|Avg: $200

89%

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	Core 2 Duo E4500
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($110)	✅ More affordable ($10)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Allendale (2006−2009) / 65 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo E4500 (2007) relies on 65 nm technology and DDR1, DDR2, DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i5-12400F	Core 2 Duo E4500
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+52%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($110)	✅ More affordable ($10)

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

Core 2 Duo E4500 Benchmark Check

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12400F and Core 2 Duo E4500

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.

Core 2 Duo E4500

The Core 2 Duo E4500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Allendale (2006−2009) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,165 points. Launch price was $249.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core 2 Duo E4500 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 2.2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E4500 — a 66.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core 2 Duo E4500 uses Allendale (2006−2009) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core 2 Duo E4500's 1,165 — a 177.5% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo E4500.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core 2 Duo E4500
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+200%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+100%	2.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+14%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2 MB+60%
Process	Intel 7 nm-89%	65 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Allendale (2006−2009)
PassMark	19,532+1577%	1,165
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 Core 2 Duo E4500 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus 800 on the Core 2 Duo E4500 — the Core 2 Duo E4500 supports 197.5% 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 16 — 155.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 16 (Core 2 Duo E4500) — 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 P35,G31,G33,P45 (Core 2 Duo E4500).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core 2 Duo E4500
Socket	LGA1700	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	800+15900%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+838860700%	16
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs false (Core 2 Duo E4500). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; Core 2 Duo E4500 rivals Athlon 64 X2 4600+.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core 2 Duo E4500
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	false
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-12400F launched at $174 MSRP, while the Core 2 Duo E4500 debuted at $133. At current prices ($110 vs $10), the Core 2 Duo E4500 is $100 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 177.6 pts/$ vs 116.5 pts/$ for the Core 2 Duo E4500 — making the Core i5-12400F the 41.5% better value option.