Pentium A1020 vs Core i5-12400F

Pentium A1020

4 Cores4 Thrd10 WWMax: 2.7 GHz2016

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Pentium A1020

4 / 4

1,167

0.0%

19,532

+1573.7%

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 A1020 is positioned at rank #1009 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 A1020

#997

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2162%

#998

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2130%

#999

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1956%

#1000

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1947%

#1001

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1929%

#1003

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1863%

#1004

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1786%

#1005

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1783%

#1006

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1735%

#1009

Pentium A1020

MSRP: $86|Avg: $86

100%

#1010

Core i3-1115GRE

MSRP: $338|Avg: $480

100%

#1011

Core i7-4702MQ

MSRP: $383|Avg: $50

100%

#1012

Pentium N4200

MSRP: $161|Avg: $30.89

99%

#1013

Pentium J2900

MSRP: $94|Avg: $20

98%

#1014

Celeron T1700

MSRP: $80|Avg: $5

97%

#1015

Celeron T3500

MSRP: $80|Avg: $10

97%

#1016

A12-9720P

MSRP: $200|Avg: $25

97%

#1017

Core i5-4300M

MSRP: $227|Avg: N/A

96%

#1018

Celeron 1005M

MSRP: $86|Avg: N/A

96%

#1019

Athlon 64 X2 TK-42

MSRP: $60|Avg: $10

95%

#1020

Athlon Neo MV-40

MSRP: $100|Avg: $5

94%

#1021

Core i7-4860EQ

MSRP: $434|Avg: $80

94%

#1022

Pentium SU2700

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

93%

#1023

A4-1250

MSRP: $100|Avg: $30

93%

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 A1020	Core i5-12400F
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($86)	⚠️ Higher cost ($110)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm)	✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Pentium A1020 (2016) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3L-1333, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Pentium A1020	Core i5-12400F
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+1209%)
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($86)	⚠️ Higher cost ($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 A1020 Benchmark Check

Core i5-12400F Benchmark Check

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Pentium A1020 and Core i5-12400F

Pentium A1020

The Pentium A1020 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.41 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,167 points. Launch price was $69.

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 A1020 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-12400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-12400F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Pentium A1020 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 47.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.41 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-12400F is built on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. In PassMark, the Pentium A1020 scores 1,167 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 177.4% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache on the Pentium A1020 vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	Pentium A1020	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz	4.4 GHz+63%
Base Clock	2.41 GHz	2.5 GHz+4%
L3 Cache	2 MB L2 Cache	18 MB (total)+800%
L2 Cache	—	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	22 nm	Intel 7 nm-68%
Architecture	—	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	1,167	19,532+1574%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,700
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	657

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium A1020 uses the FCBGA1170 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-12400F uses LGA1700 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium A1020	Core i5-12400F
Socket	FCBGA1170	LGA1700
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: not specified (Pentium A1020) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Pentium A1020	Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Gaming Performance/Value

💰

Value Analysis

The Pentium A1020 launched at $86 MSRP, while the Core i5-12400F debuted at $174. At current prices ($86 vs $110), the Pentium A1020 is $24 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium A1020 delivers 13.6 pts/$ vs 177.6 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 171.6% better value option.