Core i5-12400F vs Core 2 Duo T6600

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Core 2 Duo T6600

2 Cores2 Thrd2 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2009

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-12400F

6 / 12

19,532

+729.4%

2,355

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 T6600

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

125%

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

123%

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

113%

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

112%

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

111%

#10

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

107%

#11

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

103%

#12

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

103%

#13

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

100%

#17

Core i3-350M

MSRP: $130|Avg: $10

92%

#18

Atom x5-E8000

MSRP: $18|Avg: N/A

91%

#19

Core 2 Duo T5900

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

90%

#22

Core i3-3130M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

81%

#23

Core 2 Duo T5550

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

78%

#24

Core 2 Duo T7100

MSRP: $197|Avg: $15

77%

#27

Pentium 2030M

MSRP: $134|Avg: N/A

74%

#28

Core 2 Duo T5750

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $8

74%

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 T6600
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($110)	✅ More affordable ($4)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo T6600 (2009) relies on 45 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i5-12400F	Core 2 Duo T6600
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+232%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($110)	✅ More affordable ($4)

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 T6600 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12400F and Core 2 Duo T6600

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 T6600

The Core 2 Duo T6600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,355 points. Launch price was $249.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core 2 Duo T6600 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 T6600 — 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 T6600 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core 2 Duo T6600's 2,355 — a 157% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 200, a 157.9% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 350 (61% advantage for the Core i5-12400F). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 2 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T6600.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core 2 Duo T6600
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)+800%	2 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2 MB+60%
Process	Intel 7 nm-84%	45 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	19,532+729%	2,355
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700+750%	200
Geekbench 6 Multi	657+88%	350

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo T6600 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus DDR3-800 on the Core 2 Duo T6600 — 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 8 GB — 176.5% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 0 (Core 2 Duo T6600) — the Core i5-12400F offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and GM45,PM45 (Core 2 Duo T6600).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core 2 Duo T6600
Socket	LGA1700	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+67%	DDR3-800
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+1500%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	20	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs VT-x (Core 2 Duo T6600). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Core 2 Duo T6600 targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core 2 Duo T6600
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	Legacy Laptop

💰

Value Analysis

At current prices ($110 vs $4), the Core 2 Duo T6600 is $106 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 177.6 pts/$ vs 588.8 pts/$ for the Core 2 Duo T6600 — making the Core 2 Duo T6600 the 107.3% better value option.