Phenom II X4 B97 vs Core i5-12400F
Phenom II X4 B97
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 Phenom II X4 B97 is positioned at rank #241 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 Phenom II X4 B97
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-12400F
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Phenom II X4 B97 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($11) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($110) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Deneb (2009−2011) / 45 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Phenom II X4 B97 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+30%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($11) | ⚠️ 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 Phenom II X4 B97 and Core i5-12400F
Phenom II X4 B97
The Phenom II X4 B97 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 11 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Deneb (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,540 points. Launch price was $100.
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 Phenom II X4 B97 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 3.2 GHz on the Phenom II X4 B97 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 Phenom II X4 B97 uses the Deneb (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Phenom II X4 B97 scores 2,540 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 154% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X4 B97 vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.
| Feature | Phenom II X4 B97 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 6 / 12+50% |
| Boost Clock | 3.2 GHz | 4.4 GHz+38% |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz+28% | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 18 MB (total)+200% |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core)+150% |
| Process | 45 nm | Intel 7 nm-84% |
| Architecture | Deneb (2009−2011) | Alder Lake-S (2022) |
| PassMark | 2,540 | 19,532+669% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 12,380 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,700 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 657 |
Memory & Platform
The Phenom II X4 B97 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-12400F uses LGA1700 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Phenom II X4 B97 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3 | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| 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 (Phenom II X4 B97) / 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 | Phenom II X4 B97 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Gaming Performance/Value |
Value Analysis
The Phenom II X4 B97 launched at $100 MSRP, while the Core i5-12400F debuted at $174. At current prices ($11 vs $110), the Phenom II X4 B97 is $99 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Phenom II X4 B97 delivers 230.9 pts/$ vs 177.6 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Phenom II X4 B97 the 26.1% better value option.
| Feature | Phenom II X4 B97 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $100-43% | $174 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $11-90% | $110 |
| Performance per Dollar | 230.9+30% | 177.6 |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2022 |
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