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CPU comparison

Intel Core i5-12400F vs Intel Core i9-10900K

Benchmark comparison and full specifications, with the measured difference and a clear winner for gaming, office work, daily use and content creation.

ACheck Price on AmazonIntel Core i5-12400FBCheck Price on AmazonIntel Core i9-10900K

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are set by Amazon.

APart A

Intel

Core i5-12400F

  • Blender render score 168 samples/min
  • Cores 6
  • Max boost clock 4.4 GHz
VS

BPart B

Intel

Core i9-10900K

  • Blender render score 173 samples/min
  • Cores 10
  • Max boost clock 5.3 GHz
Compare other parts

01 · Performance profile

How they score

Scores out of 100 for each way you might use a processor. The chart shows where both parts rank among all 667 CPUs in our database.

Measured performance

Intel Core i9-10900K is 3% faster in the Blender benchmark

AIntel Core i5-12400F168

Median of 16 submissions

BIntel Core i9-10900K173

Median of 1 submission

Blender Benchmark render score (samples per minute, higher is faster), the median of community-submitted results from Blender Open Data. One of these parts has very few submissions, so treat the gap as indicative.

A
B
Lowest: 2Average: 22Highest: 79

Gaming

A31%Basic
B53%Fair

Better pick: Core i9-10900K · Max boost clock: 5.3 GHz vs 4.4 GHz

Office Work

A37%Fair
B67%Good

Better pick: Core i9-10900K · Integrated graphics: Yes vs No

Daily Use

A36%Fair
B57%Good

Better pick: Core i9-10900K · Integrated graphics: Yes vs No

Content Creation

A33%Basic
B40%Fair

Better pick: Core i9-10900K · Threads: 20 vs 12

02 · Verdict

Intel Core i9-10900K comes out ahead

It wins 7 of 8 compared specifications and scores higher overall. Check current prices before you buy.

AIntel Core i5-12400F

34/100

BIntel Core i9-10900K

54/100

AIntel Core i5-12400F

Advantages

  • TDP / base power 65 W vs 125 W (48% lower)

Disadvantages

  • Integrated graphics No vs Yes
  • Cores 6 vs 10 (40% lower)
  • Threads 12 vs 20 (40% lower)
  • Base clock 2.5 GHz vs 3.7 GHz (32% lower)
  • Max boost clock 4.4 GHz vs 5.3 GHz (17% lower)

BIntel Core i9-10900K

Advantages

  • Integrated graphics Yes vs No
  • Cores 10 vs 6 (67% higher)
  • Threads 20 vs 12 (67% higher)
  • Base clock 3.7 GHz vs 2.5 GHz (48% higher)
  • Max boost clock 5.3 GHz vs 4.4 GHz (20% higher)

Disadvantages

  • TDP / base power 125 W vs 65 W (92% higher)

03 · Full comparison

Side-by-side specifications

SpecificationAIntel Core i5-12400FBIntel Core i9-10900K
Measured performance
Blender render scoreMedian of community-submitted Blender Benchmark results (Blender Open Data). Higher is faster.168 samples/min173 samples/min Better +3%
Benchmark submissionsHow many results the median is based on. Small numbers are less reliable.161
Cores & clocks
Cores610 Better +67%
Efficiency (E) cores——
Threads1220 Better +67%
Base clock2.5 GHz3.7 GHz Better +48%
Max boost clock4.4 GHz5.3 GHz Better +20%
Memory & cache
L3 cache18 MB20 MB Better +11%
Memory supportDDR4 / DDR5DDR4
Power
TDP / base power65 W Better125 W
Features
Integrated graphicsNoYes Better
Platform
ArchitectureAlder LakeComet Lake
SocketLGA1700LGA1200
Manufacturing processIntel 714 nm
Release year20222020
Launch price$167$488

Ready to buy?

Prices change daily. Check the current price of each part.

ACheck Price on Amazon: Core i5-12400FBCheck Price on Amazon: Core i9-10900K

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are set by Amazon.

Intel Core i5-12400F vs Intel Core i9-10900K at a glance

This page compares the Intel Core i5-12400F and the Intel Core i9-10900K using published specifications and real measured benchmark results. In the Blender Benchmark, Intel Core i9-10900K posts a median render score of 173 against 168 for Intel Core i5-12400F, making it 3% faster. The medians are based on 1 and 16 community submissions.

Intel Core i5-12400F: 6 cores, 12 threads, 4.4 GHz max boost clock, 65 W tdp / base power, released in 2022, launched at $167. Intel Core i9-10900K: 10 cores, 20 threads, 5.3 GHz max boost clock, 125 W tdp / base power, released in 2020, launched at $488.

Our overall scores are 34 for Core i5-12400F and 54 for Core i9-10900K out of 100. By use case, the better pick is, for gaming: Core i9-10900K; for office work: Core i9-10900K; for daily use: Core i9-10900K; for content creation: Core i9-10900K. Blender measures rendering rather than game frame rates, so treat the gaming result as a guide built from render performance and specifications.

Core i5-12400F vs Core i9-10900K FAQ

Which is faster, the Core i5-12400F or the Core i9-10900K?

In the Blender Benchmark, Intel Core i9-10900K posts a median render score of 173 against 168 for Intel Core i5-12400F, making it 3% faster. The medians are based on 1 and 16 community submissions.

Which uses more power, the Core i5-12400F or the Core i9-10900K?

The Intel Core i9-10900K is rated at 125 W and the Intel Core i5-12400F at 65 W, so the Core i5-12400F draws 92% less on paper. Rated power is not the same as power drawn in your own workload.

How much did the Core i5-12400F and the Core i9-10900K cost at launch?

The Intel Core i5-12400F launched at $167 and the Intel Core i9-10900K at $488. Street prices change often, so check a current price before buying.

Is the Core i5-12400F or the Core i9-10900K better for gaming?

Our gaming score favours the Intel Core i9-10900K (31 vs 53 out of 100). That score blends measured render performance with clock speed, cache and memory, because no game benchmark is included in our data.

More CPU comparisons

About this data

Benchmark numbers come from Blender Open Data, a public collection of results submitted by real users, shown as medians with the submission count. Specifications and launch prices are compiled from manufacturer information and may contain mistakes. See how it all works on thePC Parts Comparison page, or report an error through our contact page. This page contains affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.