Core i5-12400F
VS
Pentium B940

Core i5-12400F vs Pentium B940

Intel

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
VS
Intel

Pentium B940

2 Cores2 Thrd35 WWMax: 2 GHz2011

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 Pentium B940

#883
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
1506%
#884
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
1484%
#885
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
1362%
#886
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
1356%
#887
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
1344%
#889
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
1298%
#890
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1244%
#891
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1242%
#892
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
1209%
#895
Pentium B940
MSRP: $134|Avg: $11
100%
#896
Core i5-8305G
MSRP: $350|Avg: $350
100%
#897
Celeron 6305
MSRP: $107|Avg: $80
100%
#900
Core i7-8705G
MSRP: $400|Avg: $400
98%
#902
Pentium Dual Core T2410
MSRP: $100|Avg: $100
97%
#903
FX-8800P
MSRP: $150|Avg: $45
97%
#905
Core i7-8809G
MSRP: $450|Avg: $450
96%
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 i5-12400FPentium B940
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($110)
More affordable ($11)
Longevity
✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Pentium B940 (2011) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightCore i5-12400FPentium B940
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Better overall value (+34%)
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($110)
More affordable ($11)

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 Pentium B940

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

Pentium B940

The Pentium B940 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,610 points. Launch price was $134.

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Pentium B940 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Core i5-12400F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 2 GHz on the Pentium B940 — a 75% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Pentium B940 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Pentium B940's 2,610 — a 152.8% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium B940.

FeatureCore i5-12400FPentium B940
Cores / Threads
6 / 12+200%
2 / 2
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz+120%
2 GHz
Base Clock
2.5 GHz+25%
2 GHz
L3 Cache
18 MB (total)+800%
2 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)+400%
256K (per core)
Process
Intel 7 nm-78%
32 nm
Architecture
Alder Lake-S (2022)
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark
19,532+648%
2,610
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 Pentium B940 uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-12400FPentium B940
Socket
LGA1700
PGA988
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
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 (Pentium B940). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

FeatureCore i5-12400FPentium B940
Integrated GPU
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Gaming Performance/Value
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-12400F launched at $174 MSRP, while the Pentium B940 debuted at $134. At current prices ($110 vs $11), the Pentium B940 is $99 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 177.6 pts/$ vs 237.3 pts/$ for the Pentium B940 — making the Pentium B940 the 28.8% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-12400FPentium B940
MSRP
$174
$134-23%
Avg Price (30d)
$110
$11-90%
Performance per Dollar
177.6
237.3+34%
Release Date
2022
2011