Core i5-12400F
VS
Core i5-14600KF

Core i5-12400F vs Core i5-14600KF

Intel

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
VS
Intel

Core i5-14600KF

14 Cores20 Thrd125 WWMax: 5.3 GHz2023

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 i5-14600KF

#25
Ryzen 5 7500F
MSRP: $179|Avg: $145
114%
#26
Core Ultra 5 245
MSRP: $319|Avg: $220
113%
#27
Ryzen 7 2700
MSRP: $299|Avg: $86
112%
#28
Core Ultra 7 265KF
MSRP: $379|Avg: $323
112%
#29
Core Ultra 7 265F
MSRP: $369|Avg: $276
110%
#30
Core i5-12400F
MSRP: $174|Avg: $110
110%
#31
Ryzen 3 PRO 5355G
MSRP: $130|Avg: $80
108%
#32
Ryzen 7 2700X
MSRP: $329|Avg: $100
108%
#33
Core i3-10100F
MSRP: $88|Avg: $50
108%
#34
Ryzen 5 7400F
MSRP: $150|Avg: $147
107%
#35
Ryzen 5 9600X
MSRP: $279|Avg: $178
104%
#36
Ryzen 7 3800X
MSRP: $399|Avg: $140
102%
#37
Ryzen 3 5300G
MSRP: $130|Avg: $80
101%
#38
Ryzen 9 7900X
MSRP: $549|Avg: $316
100%
#39
Ryzen 5 5600X
MSRP: $299|Avg: $135
100%
#40
Core i5-14600KF
MSRP: $304|Avg: $239
100%
#41
Ryzen 7 5800
MSRP: $349|Avg: $160
99%
#42
Core i3-14100F
MSRP: $109|Avg: $96
99%
#43
Ryzen 7 3700X
MSRP: $329|Avg: $140
99%
#44
Ryzen 5 7600X
MSRP: $299|Avg: $178
98%
#45
Ryzen 3 3100
MSRP: $99|Avg: $75
98%
#46
Core i5-13490F
MSRP: $235|Avg: $170
97%
#47
Ryzen 5 5600F
MSRP: $99|Avg: $129
97%
#48
Ryzen 9 PRO 3900
MSRP: $499|Avg: $200
97%
#49
Ryzen 3 4300GE
MSRP: $94|Avg: $72
96%
#50
Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE
MSRP: $169|Avg: $50
96%
#51
Core Ultra 5 225
MSRP: $240|Avg: $200
96%
#52
Core i5-11500
MSRP: $192|Avg: $110
96%
#53
Core i3-12100F
MSRP: $97|Avg: $90
96%
#54
Core Ultra 7 265
MSRP: $384|Avg: $320
96%
#55
Ryzen 7 5800X
MSRP: $449|Avg: $180
95%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i5-14600KF delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i5-12400F in both compute-intensive tasks (65.8% faster) and gaming workloads.
InsightCore i5-12400FCore i5-14600KF
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
More affordable ($110)
⚠️ Higher cost ($239)
Longevity
✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm)
✨ Modern (Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) / Intel 7 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Value Proposition: The Core i5-12400F offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $110 (vs $239), it costs 54% less. While offering lower overall performance, it results in a 10% higher cost efficiency score compared to the Core i5-14600KF.
InsightCore i5-12400FCore i5-14600KF
Cost Efficiency
Better overall value (+10%)
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($110)
⚠️ Higher cost ($239)

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 i5-14600KF

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 i5-14600KF

The Core i5-14600KF is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 17 October 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.3 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 38,664 points. Launch price was $294.

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-14600KF offers 14 cores / 20 threads — the Core i5-14600KF has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 5.3 GHz on the Core i5-14600KF — a 18.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-14600KF (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-14600KF uses Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core i5-14600KF's 38,664 — a 65.8% lead for the Core i5-14600KF. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,380 vs 24,700 (66.5% advantage for the Core i5-14600KF). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 2,900, a 52.2% lead for the Core i5-14600KF that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 18,000 (185.9% advantage for the Core i5-14600KF). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i5-14600KF.

FeatureCore i5-12400FCore i5-14600KF
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
14 / 20+133%
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz
5.3 GHz+20%
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
3.5 GHz+40%
L3 Cache
18 MB (total)
24 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
2 MB (per core)+60%
Process
Intel 7 nm
Intel 7 nm
Architecture
Alder Lake-S (2022)
Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025)
PassMark
19,532
38,664+98%
Cinebench R23 Multi
12,380
24,700+100%
Geekbench 6 Single
1,700
2,900+71%
Geekbench 6 Multi
657
18,000+2640%
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 memory speed. The Core i5-14600KF supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB 40% more capacity for professional workloads. 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 Intel 700 Series,Intel 600 Series (Core i5-14600KF).

FeatureCore i5-12400FCore i5-14600KF
Socket
LGA1700
LGA1700
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
DDR5-5600
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
192 GB+50%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
20
20
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs Yes (Core i5-14600KF). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Core i5-14600KF targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

FeatureCore i5-12400FCore i5-14600KF
Integrated GPU
No
No
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Yes
Target Use
Gaming Performance/Value
Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-12400F launched at $174 MSRP, while the Core i5-14600KF debuted at $304. At current prices ($110 vs $239), the Core i5-12400F is $129 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 177.6 pts/$ vs 161.8 pts/$ for the Core i5-14600KF — making the Core i5-12400F the 9.3% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-12400FCore i5-14600KF
MSRP
$174-43%
$304
Avg Price (30d)
$110-54%
$239
Performance per Dollar
177.6+10%
161.8
Release Date
2022
2023