Core i3-12100F vs Core i5-12400F: Which Is Better for Gaming?
Short answer: With the fastest graphics card at 1080p, where the processor sets the limit, the Core i5-12400F is about 18% faster in our nine-game model (98 vs 119 FPS). With a mid-range RTX 5070 at 1440p the gap shrinks to about 9%, because the graphics card becomes the limit.
Table of ContentsShow or hide all 11 sectionsShowHide
Core i3-12100F vs Core i5-12400F: at a glance
| Core i3-12100F | Core i5-12400F | |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p gaming score, Tom’s Hardware (RTX 5090) | Not in chart | Not in chart |
| Multi-thread score, Tom’s Hardware | Not in chart | 24% |
| Single-thread score, Tom’s Hardware | Not in chart | 69.5% |
| Avg FPS, RTX 5090 at 1080p (our model) | 98 | 119 |
| Avg FPS, RTX 5070 at 1440p (our model) | 93 | 102 |
| Launch price | $97 | $167 |
Core i3-12100F vs Core i5-12400F: what independent benchmarks show
- Neither chip is in Tom’s Hardware’s current gaming chart, so the gaming numbers on this page come from our calibrated model; see the methodology below.
Core i3-12100F vs Core i5-12400F FPS in popular games
| Game | Core i3-12100F RTX 5090, 1080p | Core i5-12400F RTX 5090, 1080p | Core i3-12100F RTX 5070, 1440p | Core i5-12400F RTX 5070, 1440p |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Counter-Strike 2 | 267 (176 low) | 327 (216 low) | 267 | 327 |
| Valorant | 326 (215 low) | 399 (263 low) | 326 | 399 |
| Fortnite | 154 (102 low) | 189 (125 low) | 150 | 150 |
| Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 | 125 (82 low) | 152 (101 low) | 105 | 105 |
| Battlefield 6 | 95 (63 low) | 116 (77 low) | 95 | 116 |
| ARC Raiders | 107 (70 low) | 131 (86 low) | 107 | 129 |
| Marvel Rivals | 101 (67 low) | 123 (81 low) | 91 | 91 |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 89 (59 low) | 109 (72 low) | 89 | 102 |
| Black Myth: Wukong | 77 (51 low) | 94 (62 low) | 70 | 70 |
| Hogwarts Legacy | 65 (43 low) | 80 (53 low) | 65 | 80 |
| Baldur's Gate 3 | 65 (43 low) | 80 (53 low) | 65 | 80 |
| Elden Ring | 60 (40 low) | 60 (40 low) | 60 | 60 |
The RTX 5090 columns show the most each processor can do, because the graphics card is fast enough never to be the limit. The RTX 5070 columns show a typical mid-range build, where the two chips land much closer together.
Core i3-12100F vs Core i5-12400F: does the difference matter at 1440p and 4K?
| Setup | Core i3-12100F | Core i5-12400F | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| RTX 5090, 1080p | 98 | 119 | 18% |
| RTX 5090, 4K | 98 | 116 | 16% |
| RTX 5070, 1080p | 98 | 119 | 18% |
| RTX 5070, 1440p | 93 | 102 | 9% |
The faster CPU only pays off when the graphics card is not the limit: at 1080p with a high-end card, with a high refresh rate monitor, or in CPU-heavy games such as Counter-Strike 2, strategy and simulation titles. At 4K with any card, and at 1440p with a mid-range card, the two chips perform close to the same.
Core i3-12100F vs Core i5-12400F: specifications
| Spec | Core i3-12100F | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / threads | 4 / 8 | 6 / 12 |
| Architecture | Alder Lake | Alder Lake |
| L3 cache | 12 MB | 18 MB |
| Max boost clock | 4.3 GHz | 4.4 GHz |
| Socket | LGA1700 | LGA1700 |
| Memory | DDR4 / DDR5 | DDR4 / DDR5 |
| Rated / max power | 58 W / ~89 W | 65 W / ~117 W |
| Released | 2022 | 2022 |
| Launch price | $97 | $167 |
Core i3-12100F vs Core i5-12400F: value: price per frame
At launch prices, the Core i3-12100F gives 100.6 FPS per $100 and the Core i5-12400F gives 71.5 FPS per $100 (RTX 5090, 1080p average). The Core i3-12100F is the better value at those prices. Street prices change week to week, so redo the math with today’s prices: divide the price by the FPS, and remember to include the motherboard and memory if the sockets differ.
Core i3-12100F vs Core i5-12400F: platform, cooling and power
- Same socket (LGA1700). LGA1700 is end-of-line: 14th Gen Core was its last generation. Boards are affordable and support DDR4 or DDR5, but there is no upgrade path beyond the Core i9-14900K.
- Cooling for the Core i3-12100F: The stock cooler (if one is included) or any $25 tower cooler is enough.
- Cooling for the Core i5-12400F: A single-tower air cooler (120 mm fan) is enough for gaming.
- Power supply: with an RTX 5070, about 550 W for the Core i3-12100F and 600 W for the Core i5-12400F. See the PSU calculator.
Core i3-12100F vs Core i5-12400F: bottleneck with popular graphics cards
| Graphics card | Core i3-12100F (1080p / 1440p) | Core i5-12400F (1080p / 1440p) |
|---|---|---|
| RTX 5060 | 29% CPU / 15% CPU | 22% CPU / 5% CPU |
| RX 9060 XT 16GB | 30% CPU / 17% CPU | 24% CPU / 8% CPU |
| RTX 5070 | 37% CPU / 27% CPU | 32% CPU / 20% CPU |
| RTX 5070 Ti | 39% CPU / 30% CPU | 35% CPU / 24% CPU |
| RX 9070 XT | 40% CPU / 31% CPU | 36% CPU / 25% CPU |
| RTX 5080 | 41% CPU / 33% CPU | 37% CPU / 27% CPU |
| RTX 5090 | 43% CPU / 35% CPU | 39% CPU / 30% CPU |
Full lists: best GPU for the Core i3-12100F and best GPU for the Core i5-12400F.
Core i3-12100F vs Core i5-12400F: which one should you buy?
- Buy the Core i3-12100F if you want lower power draw and easier cooling or you want to spend less.
- Buy the Core i5-12400F if you want the highest frame rates with a fast graphics card or you also stream, edit video or render (more threads).
Should you upgrade from the Core i3-12100F to the Core i5-12400F?
It can be worth it if you play at 1080p with a fast graphics card or a high refresh rate monitor: the Core i5-12400F is about 18% faster there, and it drops into the same LGA1700 motherboard (update the BIOS first if the board is older).
Core i3-12100F vs Core i5-12400F: frequently asked questions
Is the Core i3-12100F better than the Core i5-12400F for gaming?
With a high-end graphics card at 1080p, the Core i5-12400F is about 18% faster in our model. At 1440p with a mid-range card the difference is about 9%.
How much faster is the Core i5-12400F?
About 18% at 1080p with a top graphics card, 9% at 1440p with an RTX 5070, and 16% at 4K.
Which one is better for streaming and video editing?
The one with more cores and threads usually wins: the Core i5-12400F here.
Can I use the Core i3-12100F and Core i5-12400F on the same motherboard?
Yes, both use the LGA1700 socket. Update the motherboard BIOS before swapping to the newer chip.
Which one uses less power?
The Core i3-12100F (about 89 W maximum vs 117 W). In games, both draw well below their maximum.
What cooler do I need?
For the Core i3-12100F: the stock cooler (if one is included) or any $25 tower cooler is enough. For the Core i5-12400F: a single-tower air cooler (120 mm fan) is enough for gaming.
Is there a difference at 4K?
Very little. At 4K the graphics card is the limit, so the two land within 16% of each other even with an RTX 5090 in our model.
Which graphics card should I pair with them?
See our best GPU for the Core i3-12100F and best GPU for the Core i5-12400F guides, or check any pair in the bottleneck calculator.
Core i3-12100F vs Core i5-12400F: how we compared
- Measured results: gaming, multi-thread and single-thread scores are from Tom’s Hardware’s CPU hierarchy (RTX 5090, 1080p, 17 games; DDR5-6000 on AM5, DDR5-7200 on Intel), plus TechSpot reviews where noted.
- Per-game FPS: from our FPS model, calibrated against published reviews; when both chips are in Tom’s Hardware’s chart, the per-game numbers are scaled to match its measured gap. Use it for the size of the gap between the chips, not as an exact frame rate.
- Specs and prices: AMD and Intel specifications; launch prices at release.
More comparisons
- Ryzen 5 5600 vs Core i5-12400F
- Core i5-12400F vs Core i5-13400F
- Core i5-12400F vs Ryzen 5 7600
- Gaming CPU benchmarks 2026
- All GPU and CPU comparisons
Sources: Tom’s Hardware – CPU Benchmarks Hierarchy (updated 5 October 2026); AMD and Intel product specifications.