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 i5-9400

2019

Why buy it

✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (9,372 vs 19,532).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (9 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 48.8 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($192 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +78.7% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 9 MB).
✅Costs $18 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
✅Delivers 130.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 48.8 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-9400 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-9400

2019

Core i5-12400F

2022

Why buy it

✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +78.7% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 9 MB).
✅Costs $18 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
✅Delivers 130.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 48.8 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (9,372 vs 19,532).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (9 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 48.8 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($192 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-9400 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Core i5-9400?

Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 78.7% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 108.4% 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 78.7% 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 108.4% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 9 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 $18 cheaper on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it gives you a 78.7% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 130.0% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 48.8 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

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 2019), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151, 100% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 9 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/6. 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 i5-9400 Benchmark Check

Core i5-12400F Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-9400	Core i5-12400F
1080p
low	179 FPS	183 FPS
medium	144 FPS	168 FPS
high	115 FPS	139 FPS
ultra	91 FPS	119 FPS
1440p
low	152 FPS	153 FPS
medium	122 FPS	132 FPS
high	96 FPS	106 FPS
ultra	75 FPS	89 FPS
4K
low	71 FPS	87 FPS
medium	61 FPS	81 FPS
high	48 FPS	64 FPS
ultra	37 FPS	49 FPS

Open Core i5-9400 Open Core i5-12400F

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-9400	Core i5-12400F
1080p
low	234 FPS	471 FPS
medium	234 FPS	397 FPS
high	234 FPS	341 FPS
ultra	222 FPS	301 FPS
1440p
low	234 FPS	407 FPS
medium	234 FPS	351 FPS
high	226 FPS	309 FPS
ultra	202 FPS	265 FPS
4K
low	234 FPS	282 FPS
medium	216 FPS	248 FPS
high	196 FPS	229 FPS
ultra	170 FPS	196 FPS

Open Core i5-9400 Open Core i5-12400F

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-9400	Core i5-12400F
1080p
low	234 FPS	488 FPS
medium	234 FPS	488 FPS
high	234 FPS	488 FPS
ultra	234 FPS	488 FPS
1440p
low	234 FPS	488 FPS
medium	234 FPS	488 FPS
high	234 FPS	485 FPS
ultra	234 FPS	434 FPS
4K
low	234 FPS	442 FPS
medium	226 FPS	389 FPS
high	192 FPS	337 FPS
ultra	152 FPS	274 FPS

Open Core i5-9400 Open Core i5-12400F

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-9400	Core i5-12400F
1080p
low	234 FPS	488 FPS
medium	234 FPS	488 FPS
high	234 FPS	488 FPS
ultra	234 FPS	488 FPS
1440p
low	234 FPS	488 FPS
medium	234 FPS	488 FPS
high	234 FPS	488 FPS
ultra	234 FPS	473 FPS
4K
low	234 FPS	488 FPS
medium	234 FPS	450 FPS
high	234 FPS	391 FPS
ultra	234 FPS	330 FPS

Open Core i5-9400 Open Core i5-12400F

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-9400 and Core i5-12400F

Core i5-9400

The Core i5-9400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,372 points. Launch price was $182.

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 i5-9400 packs 6 cores / 6 threads, matching the Core i5-12400F's 6 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-9400 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 7.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-9400 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-9400 scores 9,372 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 70.3% lead for the Core i5-12400F. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-9400 vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	Core i5-9400	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	6 / 6	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz	4.4 GHz+7%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+16%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)	18 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)+400%
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	9,372	19,532+108%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,700
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	657

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-9400 uses the LGA1151 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 i5-9400 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 i5-9400) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i5-9400	Core i5-12400F
Socket	LGA1151	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 support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-9400) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). The Core i5-9400 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-9400 targets Desktop, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i5-9400	Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Desktop	Gaming Performance/Value

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-9400 launched at $192 MSRP, while the Core i5-12400F debuted at $174. On MSRP ($192 vs $174), the Core i5-12400F is $18 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-9400 delivers 48.8 pts/$ vs 112.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 78.8% better value option.