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 i3-14100F

2024

Why buy it

✅Costs $65 less on MSRP ($109 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
✅Delivers 25.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 141.1 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($109 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 37 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (15,381 vs 19,532).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 18 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.5% higher average FPS across 37 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-14100F.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 112.3 vs 141.1 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $109 MSRP).

Core i3-14100F

2024

Core i5-12400F

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $65 less on MSRP ($109 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
✅Delivers 25.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 141.1 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($109 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.5% higher average FPS across 37 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-14100F.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 37 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (15,381 vs 19,532).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 18 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 112.3 vs 141.1 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $109 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Core i3-14100F?

Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 11.5% average FPS lead across 37 shared CPU game tests in our data and 27% better PassMark, 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 11.5% more average FPS across 37 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 27% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i5-12400F is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i3-14100F makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i5-12400F is 59.6% more expensive on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $109 MSRP, and it gives you a 11.5% average FPS lead across 37 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-14100F is also 25.7% better value on MSRP (141.1 vs 112.3 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

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

Core i3-14100F is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2022). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

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 i3-14100F Benchmark Check

Core i5-12400F Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i3-14100F	Core i5-12400F
1080p
low	172 FPS	183 FPS
medium	147 FPS	168 FPS
high	116 FPS	139 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	119 FPS
1440p
low	149 FPS	153 FPS
medium	124 FPS	132 FPS
high	98 FPS	106 FPS
ultra	82 FPS	89 FPS
4K
low	83 FPS	87 FPS
medium	75 FPS	81 FPS
high	59 FPS	64 FPS
ultra	46 FPS	49 FPS

Open Core i3-14100F Open Core i5-12400F

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i3-14100F	Core i5-12400F
1080p
low	318 FPS	471 FPS
medium	265 FPS	397 FPS
high	239 FPS	341 FPS
ultra	204 FPS	301 FPS
1440p
low	273 FPS	407 FPS
medium	233 FPS	351 FPS
high	215 FPS	309 FPS
ultra	181 FPS	265 FPS
4K
low	204 FPS	282 FPS
medium	178 FPS	248 FPS
high	153 FPS	229 FPS
ultra	125 FPS	196 FPS

Open Core i3-14100F Open Core i5-12400F

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i3-14100F	Core i5-12400F
1080p
low	385 FPS	488 FPS
medium	385 FPS	488 FPS
high	385 FPS	488 FPS
ultra	385 FPS	488 FPS
1440p
low	385 FPS	488 FPS
medium	385 FPS	488 FPS
high	385 FPS	485 FPS
ultra	385 FPS	434 FPS
4K
low	385 FPS	442 FPS
medium	385 FPS	389 FPS
high	371 FPS	337 FPS
ultra	312 FPS	274 FPS

Open Core i3-14100F Open Core i5-12400F

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i3-14100F	Core i5-12400F
1080p
low	385 FPS	488 FPS
medium	385 FPS	488 FPS
high	385 FPS	488 FPS
ultra	385 FPS	488 FPS
1440p
low	385 FPS	488 FPS
medium	385 FPS	488 FPS
high	385 FPS	488 FPS
ultra	385 FPS	473 FPS
4K
low	385 FPS	488 FPS
medium	385 FPS	450 FPS
high	385 FPS	391 FPS
ultra	357 FPS	330 FPS

Open Core i3-14100F Open Core i5-12400F

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-14100F and Core i5-12400F

Core i3-14100F

The Core i3-14100F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 58 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 15,381 points. Launch price was $109.

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 i3-14100F 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 4.7 GHz on the Core i3-14100F versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 6.6% clock advantage for the Core i3-14100F (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i3-14100F uses the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-14100F scores 15,381 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 23.8% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i3-14100F vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	Core i3-14100F	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz+7%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+40%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	18 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	15,381	19,532+27%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,700
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	657

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 5.0.

Feature	Core i3-14100F	Core i5-12400F
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-14100F) / 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 i3-14100F	Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Gaming Performance/Value

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i3-14100F launched at $109 MSRP, while the Core i5-12400F debuted at $174. On MSRP ($109 vs $174), the Core i3-14100F is $65 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-14100F delivers 141.1 pts/$ vs 112.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i3-14100F the 22.8% better value option.