Pentium G2120 vs Core i5-12400F

CPU

GPU

Pentium G2120

2 Cores2 Thrd55 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2012

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Pentium G2120

2 / 2

1,876

0.0%

19,532

+941.2%

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 G2120 is positioned at rank #753 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 G2120

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

14292%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

13505%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

9806%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

2954%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

2340%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

2047%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

1172%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

1157%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1054%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1053%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1042%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1014%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

999%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

995%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

986%

#753

Pentium G2120

MSRP: $86|Avg: $20

100%

#754

Core i5-3340S

MSRP: $182|Avg: $25

100%

#755

Celeron G1101

MSRP: $50|Avg: $20

100%

#756

FX-8150

MSRP: $245|Avg: $50

100%

#757

Pentium G3240

MSRP: $89|Avg: $126

99%

#758

Core i5-3550S

MSRP: $205|Avg: $100

99%

#759

FX-8140

MSRP: $225|Avg: $120

99%

#760

Athlon X2 450

MSRP: $60|Avg: $15

99%

#761

Athlon II X3 450

MSRP: $87|Avg: $15

98%

#762

Core i7-4790

MSRP: $339|Avg: $60

98%

#763

Pentium G640

MSRP: $64|Avg: $5

98%

#764

Pentium G840

MSRP: $64|Avg: $15

98%

#765

Core i5-6440EQ

MSRP: $250|Avg: $150

98%

#767

Core i5-4590T

MSRP: $192|Avg: $130

97%

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 G2120	Core i5-12400F
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($20)	⚠️ Higher cost ($110)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Pentium G2120 (2012) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Pentium G2120	Core i5-12400F
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+89%)
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($20)	⚠️ 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 G2120 Benchmark Check

Core i5-12400F Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Pentium G2120 and Core i5-12400F

Pentium G2120

The Pentium G2120 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 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 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,876 points. Launch price was $88.

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 G2120 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 3.1 GHz on the Pentium G2120 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 34.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Pentium G2120 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 G2120 scores 1,876 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 164.9% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G2120 vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	Pentium G2120	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	4.4 GHz+42%
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+24%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	18 MB (total)+500%
L2 Cache	256 kB (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	1,876	19,532+941%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,700
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	657

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium G2120 uses the LGA1155 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 G2120 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 G2120) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Pentium G2120	Core i5-12400F
Socket	LGA1155	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 (Pentium G2120) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). The Pentium G2120 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge)), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium G2120 targets Desktop, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Pentium G2120	Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge)	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Desktop	Gaming Performance/Value

💰

Value Analysis

The Pentium G2120 launched at $86 MSRP, while the Core i5-12400F debuted at $174. At current prices ($20 vs $110), the Pentium G2120 is $90 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium G2120 delivers 93.8 pts/$ vs 177.6 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 61.7% better value option.