Core i5-12400F vs Ryzen 5 2600
Core i5-12400F
Ryzen 5 2600
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 Ryzen 5 2600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-12400F | Ryzen 5 2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($110) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($145) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Pinnacle Riege (Zen+) (2018) / 12 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-12400F | Ryzen 5 2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+96%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($110) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($145) |
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 Ryzen 5 2600
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.
Ryzen 5 2600
The Ryzen 5 2600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 19 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Pinnacle Riege (Zen+) (2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,145 points. Launch price was $199.
Processing Power
Both the Core i5-12400F and Ryzen 5 2600 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 3.9 GHz on the Ryzen 5 2600 — a 12% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 2600 uses Pinnacle Riege (Zen+) (2018) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Ryzen 5 2600's 13,145 — a 39.1% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,380 vs 6,344 (64.5% advantage for the Core i5-12400F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 1,163, a 37.5% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 4,893 (152.6% advantage for the Ryzen 5 2600). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 2600.
| Feature | Core i5-12400F | Ryzen 5 2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz+13% | 3.9 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 3.4 GHz+36% |
| L3 Cache | 18 MB (total)+13% | 16 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 3 MB+140% |
| Process | Intel 7 nm-42% | 12 nm |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-S (2022) | Pinnacle Riege (Zen+) (2018) |
| PassMark | 19,532+49% | 13,145 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 12,380+95% | 6,344 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,700+46% | 1,163 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 657 | 4,893+645% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 2600 uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus DDR4-2933 on the Ryzen 5 2600 — the Core i5-12400F supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-12400F supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and AMD B450,AMD X470,AMD B350,AMD X370 (Ryzen 5 2600).
| Feature | Core i5-12400F | Ryzen 5 2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+25% | DDR4-2933 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB+100% | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 20 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 2600). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Ryzen 5 2600 targets General Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; Ryzen 5 2600 rivals Core i5-9400.
| Feature | Core i5-12400F | Ryzen 5 2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | Yes |
| Target Use | Gaming Performance/Value | General Productivity |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-12400F launched at $174 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 2600 debuted at $199. At current prices ($110 vs $145), the Core i5-12400F is $35 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 177.6 pts/$ vs 90.7 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 2600 — making the Core i5-12400F the 64.8% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-12400F | Ryzen 5 2600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $174-13% | $199 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $110-24% | $145 |
| Performance per Dollar | 177.6+96% | 90.7 |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2018 |
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