Pentium 2020M vs Core i5-12400F

Pentium 2020M

2 Cores2 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2012

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Pentium 2020M

2 / 2

1,412

0.0%

19,532

+1283.3%

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. The Pentium 2020M is positioned at rank #1063 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. 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 Pentium 2020M

#1051

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2784%

#1052

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2743%

#1053

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2518%

#1054

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2507%

#1055

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2484%

#1057

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2398%

#1058

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2300%

#1059

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2296%

#1060

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2234%

#1063

Pentium 2020M

MSRP: $134|Avg: N/A

100%

#1064

Celeron P4500

MSRP: $86|Avg: $5

100%

#1065

Pentium Dual Core SU4100

MSRP: $134|Avg: $10

100%

#1066

Processor N50

MSRP: $128|Avg: $120

99%

#1067

Athlon II N350

MSRP: $100|Avg: $100

99%

#1068

Celeron N3350

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

99%

#1070

Core i7-2675QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

98%

#1071

A9-9410

MSRP: $150|Avg: $25

98%

#1073

A8 Pro-7150B

MSRP: $150|Avg: $20

97%

#1074

A9-9420

MSRP: $150|Avg: $30

97%

#1075

Celeron B730

MSRP: $70|Avg: $10

97%

#1078

A9-9425

MSRP: $150|Avg: $30

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

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 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.

Insight	Pentium 2020M	Core i5-12400F
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($134)	✅ More affordable ($110)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Pentium 2020M (2012) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Pentium 2020M	Core i5-12400F
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+1585%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($134)	✅ More affordable ($110)

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.

Pentium 2020M Benchmark Check

Core i5-12400F Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Pentium 2020M and Core i5-12400F

Pentium 2020M

The Pentium 2020M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,412 points. Launch price was $134.

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.

⚡

Processing Power

The Pentium 2020M packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core i5-12400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-12400F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Pentium 2020M versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 58.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Pentium 2020M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium 2020M scores 1,412 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 173% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 391 vs 1,700, a 125.2% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 667 vs 657 (1.5% advantage for the Pentium 2020M). L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 2020M vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	Pentium 2020M	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	4.4 GHz+83%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.5 GHz+4%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	18 MB (total)+800%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)+400%
Process	22 nm	Intel 7 nm-68%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	1,412	19,532+1283%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	391	1,700+335%
Geekbench 6 Multi	667+2%	657

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium 2020M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-12400F uses LGA1700 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Pentium 2020M versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F — the Core i5-12400F supports 50% 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 32 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Pentium 2020M) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM70,HM75,HM76,HM77 (Pentium 2020M) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).

Feature	Pentium 2020M	Core i5-12400F
Socket	PGA988	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+67%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	128 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x / EPT (Pentium 2020M) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). The Pentium 2020M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge)), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium 2020M targets Budget, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Pentium 2020M	Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge)	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x / EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Budget	Gaming Performance/Value