Core i5-12400F
VS
Core i3-3220T

Core i5-12400F vs Core i3-3220T

Intel

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
VS
Intel

Core i3-3220T

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2012

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 Core i3-3220T

#1
Ryzen 9 7950X
MSRP: $194|Avg: $20
23777%
#2
Core i9-10900T
MSRP: $120|Avg: $5
22467%
#3
Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE
MSRP: $423|Avg: $5
16313%
#4
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85
4914%
#5
Ryzen 9 9950X
MSRP: $649|Avg: $129
3893%
#6
Ryzen 5 8400F
MSRP: $303|Avg: $55
3405%
#7
Ryzen 7 PRO 2700
MSRP: $299|Avg: $60
1950%
#8
Ryzen 5 2600X
MSRP: $229|Avg: $55
1925%
#9
Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G
MSRP: $150|Avg: $60
1753%
#10
Core Ultra 5 245KF
MSRP: $294|Avg: $189
1753%
#11
Ryzen 5 5500
MSRP: $159|Avg: $85
1733%
#12
Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP: $199|Avg: $80
1686%
#13
Core i3-9100E
MSRP: $202|Avg: $30
1663%
#14
Core Ultra 5 245K
MSRP: $319|Avg: $200
1656%
#15
Core i3-8300T
MSRP: $138|Avg: $25
1641%
#939
Core i3-3220T
MSRP: $149|Avg: $146
100%
#940
Athlon II X2 245e
MSRP: $87|Avg: $15
100%
#941
Athlon II X2 240e
MSRP: $77|Avg: $77
100%
#942
Pentium G630T
MSRP: $79|Avg: $15
100%
#943
Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition
MSRP: $990|Avg: $175
99%
#946
Core i5-650
MSRP: $176|Avg: $22
98%
#947
A10-6790B
MSRP: $122|Avg: $50
97%
#948
Phenom X3 8600
MSRP: $100|Avg: $20
97%
#949
Core i3-6100TE
MSRP: $250|Avg: $90
96%
#950
FX-4320
MSRP: $250|Avg: $100
96%
#951
Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition
MSRP: $990|Avg: $150
96%
#952
Celeron E1200
MSRP: $53|Avg: $98
96%
#954
Core i5-660
MSRP: $196|Avg: $150
95%
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 i5-12400FCore i3-3220T
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
More affordable ($110)
⚠️ Higher cost ($146)
Longevity
✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i3-3220T (2012) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightCore i5-12400FCore i3-3220T
Cost Efficiency
Better overall value (+1227%)
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($110)
⚠️ Higher cost ($146)

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 Core i3-3220T

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

Core i3-3220T

The Core i3-3220T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,953 points. Launch price was $201.

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i3-3220T offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-12400F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 2.8 GHz on the Core i3-3220T — a 44.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i3-3220T uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core i3-3220T's 1,953 — a 163.6% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 465, a 114.1% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3220T.

FeatureCore i5-12400FCore i3-3220T
Cores / Threads
6 / 12+200%
2 / 4
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz+57%
2.8 GHz
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
2.8 GHz+12%
L3 Cache
18 MB (total)+500%
3 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)+400%
256 kB (per core)
Process
Intel 7 nm-68%
22 nm
Architecture
Alder Lake-S (2022)
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark
19,532+900%
1,953
Cinebench R23 Multi
12,380
Geekbench 6 Single
1,700+266%
465
Geekbench 6 Multi
657
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-3220T uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-3220T — 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 32 GB 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 16 (Core i3-3220T) — 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 B75,Z75,Z77,H77,Q75,Q77,H61,H67,P67,Z68 (Core i3-3220T).

FeatureCore i5-12400FCore i3-3220T
Socket
LGA1700
LGA1155
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+67%
DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB+300%
32 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
20+25%
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs VT-x, EPT (Core i3-3220T). The Core i3-3220T includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2500), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Core i3-3220T targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; Core i3-3220T rivals A8-5500.

FeatureCore i5-12400FCore i3-3220T
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 2500
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
VT-x, EPT
Target Use
Gaming Performance/Value
Low Power Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-12400F launched at $174 MSRP, while the Core i3-3220T debuted at $149. At current prices ($110 vs $146), the Core i5-12400F is $36 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 177.6 pts/$ vs 13.4 pts/$ for the Core i3-3220T — making the Core i5-12400F the 172% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-12400FCore i3-3220T
MSRP
$174
$149-14%
Avg Price (30d)
$110-25%
$146
Performance per Dollar
177.6+1225%
13.4
Release Date
2022
2012