Intel Core i5 12400F review

After the barnstorming efficiency of Intel’s Okay-series Alder Lake CPUs, we had been fairly excited to see whether or not the Intel Core i5 12400F might nonetheless ship first rate gaming efficiency, particularly with its wallet-friendly worth of simply $179.

Let’s begin with the unhealthy information, which is that Intel’s 10nm hybrid core structure sees large variations in core counts and kinds throughout the Twelfth gen vary, and the Intel Core i5 12400F differs considerably to the Core i5 12600K. The query is whether or not that tremendous low worth can nonetheless make the 12400F the very best gaming CPU choices for these on a finances, regardless of the change in specs.

Core i5 12400F specs

These are the Intel Core i5 12400F specs:

The a part of the Core i5 12400F specs that stands out is that it lacks the 4 E-Cores of the Core i5 12600K, which makes the latter chip so potent in multi-threaded software program. As an alternative, it solely matches the six efficiency cores of its Okay-series sibling, that means it has 4 fewer cores and threads. This may probably imply a big discount in multi-threaded efficiency.

The P-Core enhance frequencies are just like these of earlier generations, with the cheaper CPU peaking at 4.4GHz whereas the Core i5 12600K hits 4.9GHz. That is mirrored within the energy specs, with the 12400F having a base energy of 65W in comparison with 125W for the Okay-series CPU, and 117W vs 150W most turbo energy for the Core i5 12400F and Core i5 12600K respectively.

We noticed each CPUs hit their single-core enhance frequencies repeatedly whereas underneath multi-threaded workloads. The Core i5 12600K fell again to 4.5GHz on its P-Cores, with the Core i5 12400F dropping additional to simply 4GHz.

The F-version we’re testing right here is cheaper than the usual Core i5-12400 because it lacks built-in graphics, however the non-F model will get you an identical Intel UHD 770 graphics because the Core i5-12600K too. B660 motherboards are additionally accessible for underneath $150, that means now you can bag a six-core Twelfth-gen Intel CPU and motherboard with PCIe 4 help for round $300.

Whereas pairing the Core i5 12400F with an costly motherboard may appear counter-intuitive, some motherboard producers are additionally within the strategy of rolling out BIOS variations for premium boards that enable the CPU to be overclocked utilizing the bottom clock, which can effectively allow you to push this CPU’s clock velocity additional sooner or later.

AMD additionally has little to fret Intel on this market section Core i5-12400F in the mean time. The Ryzen 5 5600X and Ryzen 7 5700G are far costlier than the 12400F, and any of AMD’s cheaper CPUs might be utilizing the older Zen 2 structure, which is totally trounced by Intel’s Twelfth gen CPUs.

Core i5 12400F benchmarks

The Core i5 12400F’s take a look at results of 66,394 in our personal GIMP picture enhancing benchmark was over 10,000 factors decrease than that of the Core i5 12600K, exhibiting the distinction made by these increased frequencies and core counts make, albeit costing you an additional $100 within the course of. The Ryzen 5 5600X was additionally faster right here, however once more, it’s considerably costlier.

In the meantime, our closely multi-threaded Handbrake video encoding take a look at additionally revealed a gulf between the Core i5 12400F and the Core i5 12600K, however far much less of a niche between the cheaper Intel CPU and the Ryzen 5 5600X, with barely 6% between them.

Our RealBench total system rating of 220,553 was once more snapping on the heels of the Ryzen 5 5600X, however a great distance off matching the Core i5 12600K. Curiously, the Core i5 12400F truly beat the 5600X in each our Cinebench checks in a serious blow, providing a noticeably increased single-threaded rating. As soon as once more, although, the Core i5 12600K was a lot quicker in each checks.

It was tit for tat when evaluating the Core i5 12400F to the Ryzen 5 5600X in video games, with the 12400F largely matching the AMD CPU in Dust 5 and Far Cry 6, whereas the Core i5 12600K provided increased body charges in each titles.

This was at 1080p with a fairly highly effective Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 GPU, although – there might be much less of a distinction at increased resolutions, the place there’s much less of a load on the CPU. Importantly, the Core i5 12400F can be leagues forward of its predecessor, the Core i5 11400F, throughout the board.

Core i5 12400F Worth

The Intel Core i5 12400F worth is simply $179 (£169) at launch, which is a incredible deal for the efficiency on supply. There merely isn’t one other competitor on this worth vary that may contact this six-core Intel CPU proper now. You lose the additional multi-threaded energy of Intel’s E-Cores by paying the cheaper price, however these don’t matter in relation to gaming efficiency.

Paying extra money for the Core i5 12600K will internet you extra efficiency throughout the board, however if you happen to’re on a decent finances, this new cut-price contender from Intel is totally the chip to purchase proper now.

Core i5 12400F Conclusion

The gulf between Intel’s most cost-effective and most costly Core i5 CPUs is the largest we’ve ever seen, because of differing core and thread counts. Nonetheless, the value hole is important too, and largely consistent with the efficiency variations, particularly in multi-threaded workloads the place the Core i5-12600K has confirmed to be gentle years forward of its predecessor. The truth that the Core i5-12400F lags effectively behind in most checks is to be anticipated then, given the value distinction.

Way more importantly, it trades blows with the pricier Ryzen 5 5600X, and with LGA1700 motherboards now accessible for underneath £150, the argument that AMD motherboards are cheaper is rising skinny, particularly given the very low price of the Core i5-12400F. It’s a mightily highly effective CPU for the cash, matching or bettering the costlier Ryzen 5 5600X in some checks, regardless of solely costing £170.

In case you’re constructing a budget-conscious PC and want an ideal all-rounder to take a seat in your CPU socket, the Core i5-12400F is incredible and, in contrast to AMD’s Socket AM4, Intel’s LGA1700 socket has loads of life in it but too.

Options

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

This six-core AMD CPU is costlier than the Core i5 12400F, however its Zen 3 structure packs a punch, significantly in relation to video games, and it additionally comes with a free CPU cooler within the field. Not like the Intel CPU, this AMD chip may even run on outdated AM4 motherboards if you happen to replace the BIOS, supplying you with an inexpensive improve path if you happen to already personal a primary or second gen Ryzen system.

Intel Core i5 12600K

The ‘Okay’ on this costlier Core i5 CPU’s mannequin identify means this chip has an unlocked multiplier, so you possibly can overclock it. It additionally has 4 E-Cores, giving it an edge over the 12400F in multi-threaded workloads, whereas its increased enhance clock of 4.9GHz means it’s quicker in video games too. It is a nice CPU if you happen to can afford the additional premium.

This put up initially appeared on Customized PC, which has been reviewing PC {hardware} for over 20 years and is now a part of . Be part of our 500k member Fb group to debate this evaluate.