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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i3-10100F

2020

Why buy it

✅Costs $86 less on MSRP ($88 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
✅Draws 1W instead of 65W, a 64W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (8,714 vs 19,532).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 99.0 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($88 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +101.7% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Delivers 13.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 99.0 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $88 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
97.7% HIGHER MSRP
$174 MSRPvs$88 MSRP
❌6400% higher power demand at 65W vs 1W.

Core i3-10100F

2020

Core i5-12400F

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $86 less on MSRP ($88 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
✅Draws 1W instead of 65W, a 64W reduction.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +101.7% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Delivers 13.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 99.0 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $88 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (8,714 vs 19,532).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 99.0 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($88 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Trade-offs

❌
97.7% HIGHER MSRP
$174 MSRPvs$88 MSRP
❌6400% higher power demand at 65W vs 1W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Core i3-10100F?

Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 101.7% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 124.1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-12400F is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 101.7% more average FPS across 4 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12400F is the better fit. You are getting 124.1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 6 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-12400F is the smarter buy today. Core i5-12400F is 97.7% more expensive on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $88 MSRP, and it gives you a 101.7% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 13.4% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 99.0 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Core i3-10100F can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-12400F is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2020), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, 200% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 6 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 4/8. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i3-10100F Benchmark Check

Core i5-12400F Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i3-10100F	Core i5-12400F
1080p
low	175 FPS	183 FPS
medium	138 FPS	168 FPS
high	108 FPS	139 FPS
ultra	87 FPS	119 FPS
1440p
low	152 FPS	153 FPS
medium	119 FPS	132 FPS
high	94 FPS	106 FPS
ultra	76 FPS	89 FPS
4K
low	83 FPS	87 FPS
medium	71 FPS	81 FPS
high	55 FPS	64 FPS
ultra	43 FPS	49 FPS

Open Core i3-10100F Open Core i5-12400F

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i3-10100F	Core i5-12400F
1080p
low	218 FPS	471 FPS
medium	218 FPS	397 FPS
high	202 FPS	341 FPS
ultra	169 FPS	301 FPS
1440p
low	218 FPS	407 FPS
medium	200 FPS	351 FPS
high	178 FPS	309 FPS
ultra	149 FPS	265 FPS
4K
low	193 FPS	282 FPS
medium	163 FPS	248 FPS
high	136 FPS	229 FPS
ultra	109 FPS	196 FPS

Open Core i3-10100F Open Core i5-12400F

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i3-10100F	Core i5-12400F
1080p
low	218 FPS	488 FPS
medium	218 FPS	488 FPS
high	218 FPS	488 FPS
ultra	218 FPS	488 FPS
1440p
low	218 FPS	488 FPS
medium	218 FPS	488 FPS
high	218 FPS	485 FPS
ultra	218 FPS	434 FPS
4K
low	218 FPS	442 FPS
medium	218 FPS	389 FPS
high	218 FPS	337 FPS
ultra	218 FPS	274 FPS

Open Core i3-10100F Open Core i5-12400F

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i3-10100F	Core i5-12400F
1080p
low	218 FPS	488 FPS
medium	218 FPS	488 FPS
high	218 FPS	488 FPS
ultra	218 FPS	488 FPS
1440p
low	218 FPS	488 FPS
medium	218 FPS	488 FPS
high	218 FPS	488 FPS
ultra	218 FPS	473 FPS
4K
low	218 FPS	488 FPS
medium	218 FPS	450 FPS
high	218 FPS	391 FPS
ultra	218 FPS	330 FPS

Open Core i3-10100F Open Core i5-12400F

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-10100F and Core i5-12400F

Core i3-10100F

The Core i3-10100F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 October 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 8,714 points. Launch price was $122.

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 Core i3-10100F 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 4.3 GHz on the Core i3-10100F versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 2.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i3-10100F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-10100F scores 8,714 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 76.6% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i3-10100F vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	Core i3-10100F	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	4.4 GHz+2%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+44%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB	18 MB (total)+200%
L2 Cache	1 MB	1.25 MB (per core)+25%
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	8,714	19,532+124%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,700
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	657

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-10100F uses the LGA1200 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 DDR4-2666 on the Core i3-10100F 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. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-10100F) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 400 series (Core i3-10100F) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).

Feature	Core i3-10100F	Core i5-12400F
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+25%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-10100F) / 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	Core i3-10100F	Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU	No	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Gaming Performance/Value

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i3-10100F launched at $88 MSRP, while the Core i5-12400F debuted at $174. On MSRP ($88 vs $174), the Core i3-10100F is $86 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-10100F delivers 99.0 pts/$ vs 112.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 12.5% better value option.