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 i5-12400F

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $210 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $384 MSRP).
✅Delivers 36.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 82.3 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $384 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-14700T across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (657 vs 18,390).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 33 MB).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-14700T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-14700T

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.2% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+83.3% larger total L3 cache (33 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD 770, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 82.3 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($384 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).

Core i5-12400F

2022

Core i7-14700T

2024

Why buy it

✅Costs $210 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $384 MSRP).
✅Delivers 36.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 82.3 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $384 MSRP).

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.2% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+83.3% larger total L3 cache (33 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD 770, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-14700T across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (657 vs 18,390).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 33 MB).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-14700T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 82.3 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($384 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-14700T better than Core i5-12400F?

Yes. Core i7-14700T is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 14.2% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data, 2699.1% better Geekbench multi-core, 61.8% higher 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 i7-14700T is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 14.2% more average FPS across 3 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-14700T is the better fit. You are getting 2699.1% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 20 cores and 28 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 83.3% larger total L3 cache (33 MB vs 18 MB).

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

Core i7-14700T is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12400F makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i7-14700T is 120.7% more expensive on MSRP at $384 MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it gives you a 14.2% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12400F is also 36.4% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 82.3 PassMark/$), 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 i7-14700T is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2022), 83.3% larger total L3 cache (33 MB vs 18 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 20 cores / 28 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom should age better as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

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 i5-12400F Benchmark Check

Core i7-14700T Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-14700T
1080p
low	183 FPS	315 FPS
medium	168 FPS	306 FPS
high	139 FPS	243 FPS
ultra	119 FPS	204 FPS
1440p
low	153 FPS	272 FPS
medium	132 FPS	235 FPS
high	106 FPS	175 FPS
ultra	89 FPS	153 FPS
4K
low	87 FPS	186 FPS
medium	81 FPS	160 FPS
high	64 FPS	119 FPS
ultra	49 FPS	107 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i7-14700T

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-14700T
1080p
low	471 FPS	344 FPS
medium	397 FPS	294 FPS
high	341 FPS	247 FPS
ultra	301 FPS	225 FPS
1440p
low	407 FPS	299 FPS
medium	351 FPS	265 FPS
high	309 FPS	224 FPS
ultra	265 FPS	193 FPS
4K
low	282 FPS	177 FPS
medium	248 FPS	160 FPS
high	229 FPS	152 FPS
ultra	196 FPS	133 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i7-14700T

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-14700T
1080p
low	488 FPS	646 FPS
medium	488 FPS	528 FPS
high	488 FPS	465 FPS
ultra	488 FPS	403 FPS
1440p
low	488 FPS	588 FPS
medium	488 FPS	488 FPS
high	485 FPS	424 FPS
ultra	434 FPS	368 FPS
4K
low	442 FPS	431 FPS
medium	389 FPS	371 FPS
high	337 FPS	336 FPS
ultra	274 FPS	288 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i7-14700T

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-14700T
1080p
low	488 FPS	790 FPS
medium	488 FPS	790 FPS
high	488 FPS	717 FPS
ultra	488 FPS	644 FPS
1440p
low	488 FPS	772 FPS
medium	488 FPS	688 FPS
high	488 FPS	592 FPS
ultra	473 FPS	522 FPS
4K
low	488 FPS	545 FPS
medium	450 FPS	494 FPS
high	391 FPS	440 FPS
ultra	330 FPS	384 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i7-14700T

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12400F and Core i7-14700T

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.

Core i7-14700T

The Core i7-14700T 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 20 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 33 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 31,604 points. Launch price was $384.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-14700T offers 20 cores / 28 threads — the Core i7-14700T has 14 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 5.2 GHz on the Core i7-14700T — a 16.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-14700T (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.3 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-14700T uses Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core i7-14700T's 31,604 — a 47.2% lead for the Core i7-14700T. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 2,723, a 46.3% lead for the Core i7-14700T that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 18,390 (186.2% advantage for the Core i7-14700T). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 33 MB (total) on the Core i7-14700T.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-14700T
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	20 / 28+233%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	5.2 GHz+18%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+92%	1.3 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	33 MB (total)+83%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+60%
Process	Intel 7 nm	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025)
PassMark	19,532	31,604+62%
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700	2,723+60%
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	18,390+2699%

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 memory speed. The Core i7-14700T supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and Z790,B760,H770,Z690,B660,H610 (Core i7-14700T).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-14700T
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	DDR5-5600
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	192 GB+50%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. The Core i7-14700T includes integrated graphics (UHD 770), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Core i7-14700T targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; Core i7-14700T rivals Ryzen 7 7700.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-14700T
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD 770
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	Productivity

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-12400F launched at $174 MSRP, while the Core i7-14700T debuted at $384. On MSRP ($174 vs $384), the Core i5-12400F is $210 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 82.3 pts/$ for the Core i7-14700T — making the Core i5-12400F the 30.8% better value option.