
Core i5-12400F vs Core i3-11100B

Core i5-12400F

Core i3-11100B
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-12400F
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-11100B
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-12400F | Core i3-11100B |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($110) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 10 nm SuperFin) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-12400F | Core i3-11100B |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($110) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 Core i5-12400F and Core i3-11100B

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 i3-11100B
The Core i3-11100B is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2021 (4 years ago). It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB. Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: Up to 3200 MT/s. Passmark benchmark score: 11,357 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i3-11100B offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-12400F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-11100B — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-12400F is built on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core i3-11100B's 11,357 — a 52.9% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 1,402, a 19.2% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 12 MB on the Core i3-11100B.
| Feature | Core i5-12400F | Core i3-11100B |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12+50% | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz | 4.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 3.6 GHz+44% |
| L3 Cache | 18 MB (total)+50% | 12 MB |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | — |
| Process | Intel 7 nm-30% | 10 nm SuperFin |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-S (2022) | — |
| PassMark | 19,532+72% | 11,357 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 12,380 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,700+21% | 1,402 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 657 | — |
Memory & Platform
Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus DDR4-3200 on the Core i3-11100B — the Core i5-12400F supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i3-11100B).
| Feature | Core i5-12400F | Core i3-11100B |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | — |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0+33% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+25% | DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 20 |
Advanced Features
Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. The Core i3-11100B includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics for 11th Gen (16 EU)), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Core i3-11100B targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; Core i3-11100B rivals Ryzen 3 5300G.
| Feature | Core i5-12400F | Core i3-11100B |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | UHD Graphics for 11th Gen (16 EU) |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Gaming Performance/Value | Desktop |
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