Core i5-12400F
VS
Core i7-6920HQ

Core i5-12400F vs Core i7-6920HQ

Intel

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
VS
Intel

Core i7-6920HQ

4 Cores8 Thrd1 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2015

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 i7-6920HQ

#64
Ryzen AI Max PRO 390
MSRP: $600|Avg: $600
99%
#230
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
404%
#231
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
398%
#232
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
365%
#233
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
363%
#234
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
360%
#236
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
348%
#237
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
333%
#238
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
333%
#239
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
324%
#242
Core i7-6920HQ
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
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 i7-6920HQ
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)
🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-6920HQ (2015) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightCore i5-12400FCore i7-6920HQ
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($110)
More affordable ($0)

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 i7-6920HQ

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 i7-6920HQ

The Core i7-6920HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,269 points. Launch price was $568.

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-6920HQ 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 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-6920HQ — a 14.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-6920HQ uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core i7-6920HQ's 7,269 — a 91.5% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 8 MB on the Core i7-6920HQ.

FeatureCore i5-12400FCore i7-6920HQ
Cores / Threads
6 / 12+50%
4 / 8
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz+16%
3.8 GHz
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
2.9 GHz+16%
L3 Cache
18 MB (total)+125%
8 MB
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)+25%
1 MB
Process
Intel 7 nm-50%
14 nm
Architecture
Alder Lake-S (2022)
Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark
19,532+169%
7,269
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 i7-6920HQ uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-12400FCore i7-6920HQ
Socket
LGA1700
BGA1440
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
20
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) / not specified (Core i7-6920HQ). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

FeatureCore i5-12400FCore i7-6920HQ
Integrated GPU
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Gaming Performance/Value