Core i5-12400F vs Pentium G2120T
Core i5-12400F
Pentium G2120T
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 Pentium G2120T
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-12400F | Pentium G2120T |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($110) | ✅ More affordable ($10) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-12400F | Pentium G2120T |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+10%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($110) | ✅ More affordable ($10) |
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 Pentium G2120T
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.
Pentium G2120T
The Pentium G2120T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency: 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,613 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Pentium G2120T offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Core i5-12400F has 4 more cores. The Core i5-12400F is built on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Pentium G2120T's 1,613 — a 169.5% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 3 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Pentium G2120T.
| Feature | Core i5-12400F | Pentium G2120T |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12+200% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz | — |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 2.7 GHz+8% |
| L3 Cache | 18 MB (total)+500% | 3 MB Intel® Smart Cache |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | — |
| Process | Intel 7 nm-68% | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-S (2022) | — |
| PassMark | 19,532+1111% | 1,613 |
| 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 G2120T uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-12400F | Pentium G2120T |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | LGA1155 |
| 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 (Pentium G2120T). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.
| Feature | Core i5-12400F | Pentium G2120T |
|---|---|---|
| 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 G2120T debuted at $87. At current prices ($110 vs $10), the Pentium G2120T is $100 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 177.6 pts/$ vs 161.3 pts/$ for the Pentium G2120T — making the Core i5-12400F the 9.6% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-12400F | Pentium G2120T |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $174 | $87-50% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $110 | $10-91% |
| Performance per Dollar | 177.6+10% | 161.3 |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2013 |
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