Xeon w3-2525 vs Core i5-12400F
Xeon w3-2525
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. 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 Xeon w3-2525
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-12400F
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon w3-2525 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($800) | ✅ More affordable ($110) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon w3-2525 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+396%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($800) | ✅ 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 Xeon w3-2525 and Core i5-12400F
Xeon w3-2525
The Xeon w3-2525 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 August 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 22.5 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 175 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 28,641 points. Launch price was $609.
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 Xeon w3-2525 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i5-12400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon w3-2525 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Xeon w3-2525 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Xeon w3-2525 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Xeon w3-2525 uses the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon w3-2525 scores 28,641 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 37.8% lead for the Xeon w3-2525. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,000 vs 1,700, a 16.2% lead for the Xeon w3-2525 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 15,000 vs 657 (183.2% advantage for the Xeon w3-2525). L3 cache: 22.5 MB on the Xeon w3-2525 vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.
| Feature | Xeon w3-2525 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 16+33% | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 4.5 GHz+2% | 4.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.5 GHz+40% | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 22.5 MB+25% | 18 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core)+60% | 1.25 MB (per core) |
| Process | Intel 7 nm | Intel 7 nm |
| Architecture | Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) | Alder Lake-S (2022) |
| PassMark | 28,641+47% | 19,532 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 12,380 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,000+18% | 1,700 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 15,000+2183% | 657 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon w3-2525 uses the LGA4677 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-12400F uses LGA1700 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-4400 memory speed. The Core i5-12400F supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 2 TB — 193.8% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Xeon w3-2525) vs 2 (Core i5-12400F). PCIe lanes: 64 (Xeon w3-2525) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Xeon w3-2525 offers 44 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: W790 (Xeon w3-2525) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).
| Feature | Xeon w3-2525 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA4677 | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+67% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4400 | DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 2 TB+1500% | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 4+100% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 64+220% | 20 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon w3-2525) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). Primary use case: Xeon w3-2525 targets Workstation, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Xeon w3-2525 rivals Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX; Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.
| Feature | Xeon w3-2525 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | Yes | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Workstation | Gaming Performance/Value |
Value Analysis
The Xeon w3-2525 launched at $609 MSRP, while the Core i5-12400F debuted at $174. At current prices ($800 vs $110), the Core i5-12400F is $690 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon w3-2525 delivers 35.8 pts/$ vs 177.6 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 132.9% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon w3-2525 | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $609 | $174-71% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $800 | $110-86% |
| Performance per Dollar | 35.8 | 177.6+396% |
| Release Date | 2024 | 2022 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Xeon w3-2525 and Core i5-12400F
