Core i3-12100F vs Core i5-12400F: specs and benchmark comparison
BIntel · Alder Lake
Intel Core i5-12400F
- 6 cores / 12 threads
- up to 4.4 GHz
- LGA1700
2022 · $167 at launch
Short verdict
Intel Core i5-12400F leads in every scenario with comparable benchmarks: multi-thread performance. This does not imply an advantage in tasks without benchmarks.
Compare with AIMulti-thread performance
B +56.1%Intel Core i5-12400F leads in this scenario (up to 56.1% in comparable benchmarks).
No comparable benchmarks yet: single-thread performance, gaming (cpu-bound scenarios), power efficiency.
Advantages
Only measured and rated values: a noticeable benchmark gap and specs where more is better.
Where Core i3-12100F is better1
Processor Base Power (Intel) 7 W lower58 W vs 65 W
Where Core i5-12400F is better5
Blender Benchmark 3.4.0 56.1% faster170 samples/min vs 109 samples/min
Cores 2 more6 vs 4
Threads 4 more12 vs 8
L2 cache 2.5 MB more7.5 MB vs 5 MB
L3 cache 6 MB more18 MB vs 12 MB
Benchmarks
Results are compared within one benchmark, one version and the same conditions.
- B ahead by 56.1%
Blender Benchmark 3.4.0
CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom · samples/min, higher is better
Core i3-12100F108.6 samples/minCore i5-12400F169.6 samples/minPosition among tested models (36)
A · 109B · 1700200400600Each dot is one model’s median in this benchmark. The scale starts at zero, samples/min. Intel Core i5-12400F is ahead by 56.1% in this benchmark.
About the measurement and source
- A · Intel Core i3-12100F
108.6 samples/min · community measurement, sample 25 · November 15, 2026
Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation)
Median of 25 submissions (3 outliers excluded), interquartile range 103.11–115.45; submissions 2022-12-11 to 2023-10-20; CPU backend. Snapshot 2026-11-15.
- B · Intel Core i5-12400F
169.6 samples/min · community measurement, sample 67 · November 14, 2026
Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation)
Median of 67 submissions (9 outliers excluded), interquartile range 164.5–172.64; submissions 2022-12-08 to 2024-09-27; CPU backend. Snapshot 2026-11-14.
difference = |A − B| ÷ the smaller value × 100%. The 5% noticeable threshold is a UX heuristic, not statistical significance.
Cycles render in Blender Benchmark. Median of the sum of samples per minute over three scenes after removing outliers.
Reference results (18)
| Benchmark | A | B | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blender Benchmark 4.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 98.3 | 149.3 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 4.5.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 105.5 | 154.9 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.1.1CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 109.7 | 168.8 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 107.3 | 168.3 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 108.1 | 167.3 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.2.1CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 109.9 | 164.7 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 117.7 | 173.8 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.5.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 110.8 | 167.2 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.6.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 109.6 | 160.7 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 4.0.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 103.1 | 158.6 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 4.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 104.2 | 159.1 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 4.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 103.2 | 146.5 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 4.4.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 104.6 | 147.4 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.0.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 107.6 | 132.4 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 115.3 | 167.8 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 118.2 | 157.8 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.0.1CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | — | 210.9 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 3.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | — | 166 | no pair |
Each benchmark version has its own scale: numbers are compared only within a row.
Specifications
| Specification | A · Core i3-12100F | B · Core i5-12400F | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cores and clocks | |||
| CoresCores of different types may differ in performance. | 4 | 6 | B: 2 more |
| Threads | 8 | 12 | B: 4 more |
| Base clockFor hybrid Intel CPUs, the P-core base clock is shown. | 3.3 GHz | 2.5 GHz | A: 0.8 GHz more |
| Max clock (Boost/Turbo) | 4.3 GHz | 4.4 GHz | B: 0.1 GHz more |
| Cache | |||
| L2 cache | 5 MB | 7.5 MB | B: 2.5 MB more |
| L3 cache | 12 MB | 18 MB | B: 6 MB more |
| Platform | |||
| Socket | LGA1700 | LGA1700 | equal |
| Process node | Intel 7 | Intel 7 | equal |
| Memory and interfaces | |||
| Memory type | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 | equal |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 | equal |
| Official memory speedFor controllers that support two generations, the speed for the newer memory type is shown. | 4,800 MT/s | 4,800 MT/s | equal |
| Max memory capacity | 128 GB | 128 GB | equal |
| PCI Express | PCIe 5.0 and 4.0, 20 lanes | PCIe 5.0 and 4.0, 20 lanes | equal |
| Integrated graphics | none | none | equal |
| Power | |||
| Processor Base Power (Intel) | 58 W | 65 W | B: 7 W higher |
| Maximum Turbo Power (Intel) | 89 W | 117 W | B: 28 W higher |
Cores and clocks
Cores
A4
B6
B: 2 moreCores of different types may differ in performance.
Threads
A8
B12
B: 4 moreBase clock
A3.3 GHz
B2.5 GHz
A: 0.8 GHz moreFor hybrid Intel CPUs, the P-core base clock is shown.
Max clock (Boost/Turbo)
A4.3 GHz
B4.4 GHz
B: 0.1 GHz more
Cache
L2 cache
A5 MB
B7.5 MB
B: 2.5 MB moreL3 cache
A12 MB
B18 MB
B: 6 MB more
Platform
Socket
ALGA1700
BLGA1700
equalProcess node
AIntel 7
BIntel 7
equal
Memory and interfaces
Memory type
ADDR4, DDR5
BDDR4, DDR5
equalMemory channels
A2
B2
equalOfficial memory speed
A4,800 MT/s
B4,800 MT/s
equalFor controllers that support two generations, the speed for the newer memory type is shown.
Max memory capacity
A128 GB
B128 GB
equalPCI Express
APCIe 5.0 and 4.0, 20 lanes
BPCIe 5.0 and 4.0, 20 lanes
equalIntegrated graphics
Anone
Bnone
equal
Power
Processor Base Power (Intel)
A58 W
B65 W
B: 7 W higherMaximum Turbo Power (Intel)
A89 W
B117 W
B: 28 W higher
“More” does not always mean “better”: higher power draw or size is a system requirement, not an advantage (such bars are dimmed).
Platform compatibility
Socket and BIOS support Needs checking
Both models use LGA1700, but support on a specific motherboard depends on the chipset and BIOS version. Check the board maker’s CPU support list.
Memory Needs checking
Both controllers support DDR4/DDR5. The motherboard determines the memory type, so check its specification.
Compare with AI
An AI model reviews the specs and benchmarks of this pair and gives a plain-language verdict on who each model suits.
Questions and answers
Do Intel Core i3-12100F and Intel Core i5-12400F fit the same motherboard?
Both CPUs use the LGA1700 socket. Support on a specific board depends on the chipset and BIOS version, so check the board maker’s CPU support list.
How many cores and threads do Intel Core i3-12100F and Intel Core i5-12400F have?
Intel Core i3-12100F: 4 cores / 8 threads. Intel Core i5-12400F: 6 cores / 12 threads (manufacturer data).
Do these CPUs have integrated graphics?
Intel Core i3-12100F: no. Intel Core i5-12400F: no.
Which is faster: Intel Core i3-12100F or Intel Core i5-12400F?
Intel Core i5-12400F leads in every scenario with comparable benchmarks: multi-thread performance. This does not imply an advantage in tasks without benchmarks.
See also
Data sources (3)
- Intel — specifications of Intel Core i3-12100F, specifications of Intel Core i5-12400Fchecked November 7, 2026
- Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation) — benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.5.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.1.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.0.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.2.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.3.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.4.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.5.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.6.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.0.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.3.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.4.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.0.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.3.0checked November 14, 2026
- Wikipedia (English) — release date and launch pricechecked November 14, 2026
How we compare: methodology. Where the data comes from: sources.