Core i3-12100F vs Core i5-12400F

The Core i5-12400F is about 10% faster than the Core i3-12100F in games where the processor sets the frame rate, in our estimates. Below: FPS in popular games, the specs side by side, and the graphics cards that suit each.

Updated October 16, 2026 · By Muhammad Muzammil

The short answer

In a typical one of 8 popular games at 1080p High with an RTX 5090, the Core i3-12100F gets about 109 FPS and the Core i5-12400F about 120 FPS. With a slower graphics card, or at 1440p and 4K, the card sets the FPS more often and the gap gets smaller.

Both use the LGA1700 socket. Both take DDR4/DDR5 memory. Cores and threads: 4 / 8 on the Core i3-12100F, 6 / 12 on the Core i5-12400F. Both come with a cooler in the box.

Core i3-12100F vs Core i5-12400F: FPS in popular games

Estimated FPS at 1080p High with 32 GB RAM (Core i3-12100F / Core i5-12400F in each column). With an RTX 5090, the processor sets the frame rate wherever it can. Values above 500 show as 500+. See FPS for your own PC.

Game	RTX 5090	RTX 5060
Counter-Strike 2	250 / 275	250 / 275
Valorant	275 / 303	275 / 303
Fortnite	120 / 132	120 / 132
Apex Legends	110 / 121	110 / 121
Marvel Rivals	85 / 94	85 / 89
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6	109 / 120	109 / 110
Cyberpunk 2077	88 / 97	88 / 97
Baldur's Gate 3	89 / 98	89 / 98

With a mid-range graphics card such as an RTX 5060, the card sets the frame rate in more games, so the difference between the two processors is smaller.

Estimated FPS. Numbers come from the FPSVibe model, not measured benchmarks. How we estimate

Specs side by side

Spec	Core i3-12100F	Core i5-12400F
Cores / threads	4 / 8	6 / 12
Boost clock	up to 4.3 GHz	up to 4.4 GHz
L3 cache	12 MB	18 MB
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
Memory	DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200	DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200
Integrated graphics	None	None
Cooler in the box	Intel Laminar RM1	Intel Laminar RM1
Power (TDP)	58 W	65 W
Launch year	2022	2022
Gaming index (est.)	50	55

Gaming index: estimated CPU-bound gaming performance at 1080p, Ryzen 7 9800X3D = 100. Memory and box cooler as listed on AMD and Intel product pages; where we couldn't confirm a value there, check the manufacturer's page.

Graphics cards that pair well with the Core i3-12100F

Graphics cards that pair well with the Core i5-12400F

Check a build in the bottleneck calculator

Core i3-12100F vs Core i5-12400F FAQs

Is the Core i3-12100F better than the Core i5-12400F for gaming?

The Core i5-12400F is about 10% faster than the Core i3-12100F in games where the processor sets the frame rate, in our estimates. In a typical one of 8 popular games at 1080p High with an RTX 5090, the Core i3-12100F gets about 109 FPS and the Core i5-12400F about 120 FPS.

Core i3-12100F or Core i5-12400F: which gets more FPS in Counter-Strike 2?

With an RTX 5090 at 1080p High, the Core i3-12100F gets about 250 FPS and the Core i5-12400F about 275 FPS in our estimates.

Do the Core i3-12100F and Core i5-12400F use the same motherboard?

Yes. Both use the LGA1700 socket, so the same motherboard can take either (it may need a BIOS update first).

Do the Core i3-12100F and Core i5-12400F come with a cooler?

Yes, both do: the Core i3-12100F with the Intel Laminar RM1 and the Core i5-12400F with the Intel Laminar RM1.

Do the Core i3-12100F and Core i5-12400F have integrated graphics?

No. Neither has integrated graphics, so you need a graphics card to get a picture.

What graphics card should I pair with the Core i3-12100F or the Core i5-12400F?

Balanced picks in our estimates: for the Core i3-12100F, RX 9060 XT 8GB, RTX 5060, RTX 5050, Arc B570; for the Core i5-12400F, RTX 5060 Ti 16GB, RX 9060 XT 16GB, RTX 5060 Ti 8GB, RX 9060 XT 8GB.