Ryzen 5 2500U vs Core i5-12400F
Ryzen 5 2500U
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 Ryzen 5 2500U is positioned at rank #106 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Balanced 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 Ryzen 5 2500U
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-12400F
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Ryzen 5 2500U | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($349) | ✅ More affordable ($110) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Raven Ridge (2017−2019) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Ryzen 5 2500U | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+854%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($349) | ✅ More affordable ($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 Ryzen 5 2500U and Core i5-12400F
Ryzen 5 2500U
The Ryzen 5 2500U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 26 October 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Raven Ridge (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 6,494 points. Launch price was $149.
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 Ryzen 5 2500U packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-12400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-12400F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 2500U versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 20% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Ryzen 5 2500U uses the Raven Ridge (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 2500U scores 6,494 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 100.2% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 818 vs 1,700, a 70.1% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,310 vs 657 (111.4% advantage for the Ryzen 5 2500U). L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 2500U vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 2500U | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 6 / 12+50% |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz | 4.4 GHz+22% |
| Base Clock | 2 GHz | 2.5 GHz+25% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total) | 18 MB (total)+350% |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core)+150% |
| Process | 14 nm | Intel 7 nm-50% |
| Architecture | Raven Ridge (2017−2019) | Alder Lake-S (2022) |
| PassMark | 6,494 | 19,532+201% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 12,380 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 818 | 1,700+108% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 2,310+252% | 657 |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen 5 2500U uses the FP5 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 DDR4-2400 on the Ryzen 5 2500U versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F — the Core i5-12400F supports 22.2% 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: 12 (Ryzen 5 2500U) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: FP5 (Ryzen 5 2500U) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).
| Feature | Ryzen 5 2500U | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FP5 | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2400 | DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+25% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 128 GB+300% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 12 | 20+67% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: AMD-V (Ryzen 5 2500U) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). The Ryzen 5 2500U includes integrated graphics (Radeon Vega 8), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 2500U targets Mainstream Laptop, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 2500U | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Radeon Vega 8 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Mainstream Laptop | Gaming Performance/Value |
Value Analysis
The Ryzen 5 2500U launched at $349 MSRP, while the Core i5-12400F debuted at $174.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 2500U | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $349 | $174-50% |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $110 |
| Release Date | 2017 | 2022 |
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