Core i5-12400F vs Core Ultra 9 285H
Core i5-12400F
Core Ultra 9 285H
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 Ultra 9 285H
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-12400F | Core Ultra 9 285H |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($110) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Arrow Lake-H (2025) / 3 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-12400F | Core Ultra 9 285H |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Ultra 9 285H
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 Ultra 9 285H
The Core Ultra 9 285H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 13 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-H (2025) architecture. It features 16 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 34,327 points. Launch price was $651.
Processing Power
The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 9 285H offers 16 cores / 16 threads — the Core Ultra 9 285H has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 5.4 GHz on the Core Ultra 9 285H — a 20.4% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 9 285H (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 Ultra 9 285H uses Arrow Lake-H (2025) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core Ultra 9 285H's 34,327 — a 54.9% lead for the Core Ultra 9 285H. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,380 vs 26,500 (72.6% advantage for the Core Ultra 9 285H). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 2,720, a 46.2% lead for the Core Ultra 9 285H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 15,330 (183.6% advantage for the Core Ultra 9 285H). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 24 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 9 285H.
| Feature | Core i5-12400F | Core Ultra 9 285H |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 16 / 16+167% |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz | 5.4 GHz+23% |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 2.9 GHz+16% |
| L3 Cache | 18 MB (total) | 24 MB (total)+33% |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 3 MB (per core)+140% |
| Process | Intel 7 nm | 3 nm-57% |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-S (2022) | Arrow Lake-H (2025) |
| PassMark | 19,532 | 34,327+76% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 12,380 | 26,500+114% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,700 | 2,720+60% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 657 | 15,330+2233% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core Ultra 9 285H uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 memory speed. The Core Ultra 9 285H 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. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 28 (Core Ultra 9 285H) — the Core Ultra 9 285H offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and SoC (Core Ultra 9 285H).
| Feature | Core i5-12400F | Core Ultra 9 285H |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | FCBGA2049 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 5.0+67% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 | LPDDR5x-8400, DDR5-6400 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 192 GB+50% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 28+40% |
Advanced Features
Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. The Core Ultra 9 285H includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc 140T (8 Xe-cores)), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Core Ultra 9 285H targets High-end Mobile Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; Core Ultra 9 285H rivals Ryzen AI 9 HX 375.
| Feature | Core i5-12400F | Core Ultra 9 285H |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel Arc 140T (8 Xe-cores) |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Gaming Performance/Value | High-end Mobile Workstation |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Core i5-12400F and Core Ultra 9 285H
