Intel Core i5-12400F

Written analysis

Intel Core i5-12400F at a glance

The Intel Core i5-12400F is based on the Alder Lake-S architecture and is manufactured using the 10 nm process at Intel. It uses the LGA 1700 socket with Intel 600 Series, Intel 700 Series chipsets, PCIe Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only), and DDR4, DDR5 memory up to 4800 MT/s across Dual-channel memory. It has 6 cores at 2.50–4.40 GHz and 12 threads. Cache is 1280 kB L2 and 18 MB L3.

This is a Desktop processor using consumer memory and expansion standards. Its workload suitability is better described by the measured application and gaming scores below than by core count alone.

Base TDP is 65 W and maximum package power is 117 W. A capable tower cooler is appropriate; compact builds should account for sustained rather than base power.

This CPU has no integrated graphics. A discrete graphics card is required for display output.

Best fit: Cost-conscious desktop builds paired with a discrete GPU and workloads appropriate to its measured tier.

Application performance

Intel Core i5-12400F is a budget CPU, at 29.84% of the dataset’s best application performance. Best for browsing, office work, and media.

Application value is balanced at 54.3 performance per dollar.

Gaming performance

Intel Core i5-12400F is an entry-level gaming CPU, at 62.14% of the dataset’s best 1080p CPU-limited gaming. A matching entry-level GPU will usually be the bottleneck.

Gaming value is exceptional at 74.2 performance per dollar.