Core i5-12400F vs EPYC 7502
Core i5-12400F
EPYC 7502
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 EPYC 7502
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-12400F | EPYC 7502 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($110) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($1,299) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Zen 2 (2017−2020) / 7 nm, 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-12400F | EPYC 7502 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+343%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($110) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($1,299) |
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 EPYC 7502
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.
EPYC 7502
The EPYC 7502 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture. It features 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.35 GHz. L3 cache: 128 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 14 nm process technology. Socket: TR4. Thermal design power (TDP): 180 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Eight-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 52,107 points. Launch price was $2,600.
Processing Power
The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the EPYC 7502 offers 32 cores / 64 threads — the EPYC 7502 has 26 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 3.35 GHz on the EPYC 7502 — a 27.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the EPYC 7502 uses Zen 2 (2017−2020) (7 nm, 14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the EPYC 7502's 52,107 — a 90.9% lead for the EPYC 7502. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 128 MB (total) on the EPYC 7502.
| Feature | Core i5-12400F | EPYC 7502 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 32 / 64+433% |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz+31% | 3.35 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 18 MB (total) | 128 MB (total)+611% |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core)+150% | 512K (per core) |
| Process | Intel 7 nm | 7 nm, 14 nm |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-S (2022) | Zen 2 (2017−2020) |
| PassMark | 19,532 | 52,107+167% |
| 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 EPYC 7502 uses TR4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus 3200 on the EPYC 7502 — the EPYC 7502 supports 199.4% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 7502 supports up to 4096 of RAM compared to 128 GB — 187.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-12400F) vs 8 (EPYC 7502). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 128 (EPYC 7502) — the EPYC 7502 offers 108 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and SP3 (EPYC 7502).
| Feature | Core i5-12400F | EPYC 7502 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | TR4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0+33% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 | 3200+63900% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB+3276700% | 4096 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 8+300% |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 128+540% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs VT-x, VT-d (EPYC 7502). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; EPYC 7502 rivals Xeon Gold 6338.
| Feature | Core i5-12400F | EPYC 7502 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | — | None |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Gaming Performance/Value | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-12400F launched at $174 MSRP, while the EPYC 7502 debuted at $2600. At current prices ($110 vs $1299), the Core i5-12400F is $1189 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 177.6 pts/$ vs 40.1 pts/$ for the EPYC 7502 — making the Core i5-12400F the 126.3% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-12400F | EPYC 7502 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $174-93% | $2600 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $110-92% | $1299 |
| Performance per Dollar | 177.6+343% | 40.1 |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2019 |
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