Core i5-12400F vs Phenom II X6 1100T BE

CPU

GPU

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Popular choices:

•••••••••

Phenom II X6 1100T BE

6 Cores6 Thrd125 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2010

Popular choices:

i5-12400F•••••••••

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-12400F

6 / 12

19,532

+240.0%

Phenom II X6 1100T BE

6 / 6

5,745

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

About PassMark

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

✅Better for gaming: +122.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Costs $91 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $265 MSRP).
✅Delivers 417.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 21.7 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $265 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Phenom II X6 1100T BE

2010

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,745 vs 19,532).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.7 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($265 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Phenom II X6 1100T BE

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +122.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Costs $91 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $265 MSRP).
✅Delivers 417.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 21.7 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $265 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,745 vs 19,532).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.7 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($265 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Phenom II X6 1100T BE?

Yes. Core i5-12400F is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 122.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 240% 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 122.1% more average FPS across 50 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 240% 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 $91 cheaper on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $265 MSRP, and it gives you a 122.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 417.8% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 21.7 PassMark/$), 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 2010), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of AM3, 200% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 6 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 i5-12400F Benchmark Check

Phenom II X6 1100T BE Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Phenom II X6 1100T BE
1080p
low	183 FPS	144 FPS
medium	168 FPS	140 FPS
high	139 FPS	113 FPS
ultra	119 FPS	93 FPS
1440p
low	153 FPS	137 FPS
medium	132 FPS	116 FPS
high	106 FPS	92 FPS
ultra	89 FPS	75 FPS
4K
low	87 FPS	63 FPS
medium	81 FPS	56 FPS
high	64 FPS	44 FPS
ultra	49 FPS	35 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Phenom II X6 1100T BE

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Phenom II X6 1100T BE
1080p
low	471 FPS	144 FPS
medium	397 FPS	144 FPS
high	341 FPS	144 FPS
ultra	301 FPS	139 FPS
1440p
low	407 FPS	144 FPS
medium	351 FPS	144 FPS
high	309 FPS	144 FPS
ultra	265 FPS	125 FPS
4K
low	282 FPS	144 FPS
medium	248 FPS	137 FPS
high	229 FPS	122 FPS
ultra	196 FPS	93 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Phenom II X6 1100T BE

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Phenom II X6 1100T BE
1080p
low	488 FPS	144 FPS
medium	488 FPS	144 FPS
high	488 FPS	144 FPS
ultra	488 FPS	144 FPS
1440p
low	488 FPS	144 FPS
medium	488 FPS	144 FPS
high	485 FPS	144 FPS
ultra	434 FPS	144 FPS
4K
low	442 FPS	144 FPS
medium	389 FPS	144 FPS
high	337 FPS	144 FPS
ultra	274 FPS	134 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Phenom II X6 1100T BE

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Phenom II X6 1100T BE
1080p
low	488 FPS	144 FPS
medium	488 FPS	144 FPS
high	488 FPS	144 FPS
ultra	488 FPS	144 FPS
1440p
low	488 FPS	144 FPS
medium	488 FPS	144 FPS
high	488 FPS	144 FPS
ultra	473 FPS	144 FPS
4K
low	488 FPS	144 FPS
medium	450 FPS	144 FPS
high	391 FPS	144 FPS
ultra	330 FPS	144 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Phenom II X6 1100T BE

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12400F and Phenom II X6 1100T BE

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.

Phenom II X6 1100T BE

The Phenom II X6 1100T BE is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Thuban (2010) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,745 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, matching the Phenom II X6 1100T BE's 6 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 3.7 GHz on the Phenom II X6 1100T BE — a 17.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Phenom II X6 1100T BE uses Thuban (2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Phenom II X6 1100T BE's 5,745 — a 109.1% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 508, a 108% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X6 1100T BE.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Phenom II X6 1100T BE
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 6
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+19%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.3 GHz+32%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)+200%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+150%	512 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-84%	45 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Thuban (2010)
PassMark	19,532+240%	5,745
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700+235%	508
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X6 1100T BE uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus DDR3-1333 / DDR2-1066 on the Phenom II X6 1100T BE — the Core i5-12400F supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-12400F supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 16 (Phenom II X6 1100T BE) — the Core i5-12400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and AMD 870,880G,890FX,970,990FX (Phenom II X6 1100T BE).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Phenom II X6 1100T BE
Socket	LGA1700	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+67%	DDR3-1333 / DDR2-1066
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+300%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs AMD-V (Phenom II X6 1100T BE). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Phenom II X6 1100T BE targets Enthusiast Legacy. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Phenom II X6 1100T BE
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	AMD-V
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	Enthusiast Legacy

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-12400F launched at $174 MSRP, while the Phenom II X6 1100T BE debuted at $265. On MSRP ($174 vs $265), the Core i5-12400F is $91 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 21.7 pts/$ for the Phenom II X6 1100T BE — making the Core i5-12400F the 135.3% better value option.