Pentium G3258 vs Core i5-12400F
Pentium G3258
Core i5-12400F
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. The Pentium G3258 is positioned at rank #632 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. 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 Pentium G3258
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-12400F
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Pentium G3258 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($72) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($110) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Pentium G3258 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+520%) |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($72) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($110) |
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 Pentium G3258 and Core i5-12400F
Pentium G3258
The Pentium G3258 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 53 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,063 points. Launch price was $77.
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 G3258 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 3.2 GHz on the Pentium G3258 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 31.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Pentium G3258 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium G3258 scores 2,063 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 161.8% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G3258 vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.
| Feature | Pentium G3258 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 6 / 12+200% |
| Boost Clock | 3.2 GHz | 4.4 GHz+38% |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz+28% | 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 | Haswell (2013−2015) | Alder Lake-S (2022) |
| PassMark | 2,063 | 19,532+847% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 12,380 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,700 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 657 |
Memory & Platform
The Pentium G3258 uses the LGA1150 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 DDR3-1333 on the Pentium G3258 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 G3258) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Pentium G3258 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1150 | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | 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 G3258) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). The Pentium G3258 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium G3258 targets Desktop, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.
| Feature | Pentium G3258 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Desktop | Gaming Performance/Value |
Value Analysis
The Pentium G3258 launched at $75 MSRP, while the Core i5-12400F debuted at $174. At current prices ($72 vs $110), the Pentium G3258 is $38 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium G3258 delivers 28.7 pts/$ vs 177.6 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 144.4% better value option.
| Feature | Pentium G3258 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $75-57% | $174 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $72-35% | $110 |
| Performance per Dollar | 28.7 | 177.6+519% |
| Release Date | 2014 | 2022 |
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