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 $1,166 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $1,340 MSRP).
✅Delivers 164.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 42.4 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $1,340 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 350W, a 285W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (19,532 vs 56,854).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX, which brings 12 cores / 24 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +36.9% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+255.6% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 12 cores / 24 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅540% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 42.4 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($1,340 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌438.5% higher power demand at 350W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX

2025

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,166 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $1,340 MSRP).
✅Delivers 164.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 42.4 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $1,340 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 350W, a 285W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +36.9% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+255.6% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 12 cores / 24 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅540% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (19,532 vs 56,854).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX, which brings 12 cores / 24 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 42.4 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($1,340 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌438.5% higher power demand at 350W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX better than Core i5-12400F?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-12400F is the better mainstream desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and day-to-day practicality.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 36.9% 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, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX is the better fit. You are getting 191.1% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 255.6% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 18 MB).

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

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12400F makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX is 670.1% more expensive on MSRP at $1,340 MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it gives you a 36.9% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12400F is also 164.6% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 42.4 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

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

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022), 255.6% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 18 MB), more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 threads instead of 6/12, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. 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 i5-12400F Benchmark Check

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX
1080p
low	183 FPS	278 FPS
medium	168 FPS	253 FPS
high	139 FPS	216 FPS
ultra	119 FPS	188 FPS
1440p
low	153 FPS	262 FPS
medium	132 FPS	214 FPS
high	106 FPS	169 FPS
ultra	89 FPS	152 FPS
4K
low	87 FPS	180 FPS
medium	81 FPS	147 FPS
high	64 FPS	111 FPS
ultra	49 FPS	98 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX
1080p
low	471 FPS	786 FPS
medium	397 FPS	649 FPS
high	341 FPS	483 FPS
ultra	301 FPS	408 FPS
1440p
low	407 FPS	645 FPS
medium	351 FPS	552 FPS
high	309 FPS	426 FPS
ultra	265 FPS	331 FPS
4K
low	282 FPS	362 FPS
medium	248 FPS	314 FPS
high	229 FPS	275 FPS
ultra	196 FPS	232 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX
1080p
low	488 FPS	886 FPS
medium	488 FPS	704 FPS
high	488 FPS	622 FPS
ultra	488 FPS	534 FPS
1440p
low	488 FPS	712 FPS
medium	488 FPS	566 FPS
high	485 FPS	488 FPS
ultra	434 FPS	414 FPS
4K
low	442 FPS	507 FPS
medium	389 FPS	418 FPS
high	337 FPS	375 FPS
ultra	274 FPS	315 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX
1080p
low	488 FPS	1106 FPS
medium	488 FPS	991 FPS
high	488 FPS	867 FPS
ultra	488 FPS	781 FPS
1440p
low	488 FPS	860 FPS
medium	488 FPS	759 FPS
high	488 FPS	664 FPS
ultra	473 FPS	576 FPS
4K
low	488 FPS	632 FPS
medium	450 FPS	562 FPS
high	391 FPS	496 FPS
ultra	330 FPS	429 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12400F and Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX

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.

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX

The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2025-01-01. It is based on the Shimada Peak (2025) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 4.7 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: sTR5. Thermal design power (TDP): 350 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 56,854 points. Launch price was $2,000.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 5.4 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX — a 20.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX (base: 2.5 GHz vs 4.7 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX uses Shimada Peak (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX's 56,854 — a 97.7% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 64 MB (total) on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	12 / 24+100%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	5.4 GHz+23%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	4.7 GHz+88%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	64 MB (total)+256%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+25%	1 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	4 nm-43%
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Shimada Peak (2025)
PassMark	19,532	56,854+191%
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX uses sTR5 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus 6400 on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX supports 199.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX supports up to 2048 of RAM compared to 128 GB — 176.5% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-12400F) vs 8 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 128 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX) — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX offers 108 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and WRX90,TRX50 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX
Socket	LGA1700	sTR5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	6400+127900%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+6553500%	2048
RAM Channels	2	8+300%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	128+540%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX rivals Xeon w7-3545.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-12400F launched at $174 MSRP, while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX debuted at $1340. On MSRP ($174 vs $1340), the Core i5-12400F is $1166 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 42.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX — making the Core i5-12400F the 90.3% better value option.