i5-12400 vs i9-12900K

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Aggregate performance score

Core i9-12900K
2021
16 cores / 24 threads, 125 Watt
26.09
+114%
Core i5-12400
2022
6 cores / 12 threads, 65 Watt
12.18

Core i9-12900K outperforms Core i5-12400 by a whopping 114% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-12900K and Core i5-12400 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking191641
Place by popularitynot in top-10071
Cost-effectiveness evaluation37.30no data
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i9no data
Power efficiency19.7517.73
Architecture codenameAlder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)Alder Lake-S (2022)
Release date27 October 2021 (3 years ago)4 January 2022 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$589no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i9-12900K and Core i5-12400 basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores16 (Hexadeca-Core)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads2412
Base clock speed3.2 GHz2.5 GHz
Boost clock speed5.2 GHz4.4 GHz
Bus typeDMI 4.0no data
Bus rate8 × 16 GT/sno data
Multiplier32no data
L1 cache768 KB80K (per core)
L2 cache4 MB1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache6 MB18 MB (shared)
Chip lithography10 nmIntel 7 nm
Die size215.25 mm2"163 mm2
Maximum core temperature100 °C100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility++
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-12900K and Core i5-12400 compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration11
SocketFCLGA1700FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)125 Watt65 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-12900K and Core i5-12400. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
AVX++
vPro+no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shift++
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX-+
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
SIPP+-
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+-
Deep Learning Boost++

Security technologies

Core i9-12900K and Core i5-12400 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Secure Key++
OS Guard++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-12900K and Core i5-12400 are enumerated here.

VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-12900K and Core i5-12400. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4, DDR5DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Maximum memory size128 GB128 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth76.805 GB/s76.8 GB/s
ECC memory support+-

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card
Compare
Intel UHD Graphics 770Intel UHD Graphics 730
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Video HD++
Graphics max frequency1.55 GHz1.45 GHz
Execution Units3224

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i9-12900K and Core i5-12400 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported44

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i9-12900K and Core i5-12400 integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.44096 x 2160 @ 60Hz4096 x 2160 @ 60Hz
Max resolution over eDP5120 x 3200 @ 120Hz5120 x 3200 @ 120Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPort7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i9-12900K and Core i5-12400 integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX1212
OpenGL4.54.5

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-12900K and Core i5-12400.

PCIe version5.0 and 4.05.0 and 4.0
PCI Express lanes2020

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i9-12900K 26.09
+114%
i5-12400 12.18

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i9-12900K 41435
+114%
i5-12400 19342

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i9-12900K 2647
+20%
i5-12400 2206

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i9-12900K 15555
+75.7%
i5-12400 8853

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 26.09 12.18
Integrated graphics card 6.16 4.16
Recency 27 October 2021 4 January 2022
Physical cores 16 6
Threads 24 12
Power consumption (TDP) 125 Watt 65 Watt

i9-12900K has a 114.2% higher aggregate performance score, 48.1% faster integrated GPU, and 166.7% more physical cores and 100% more threads.

i5-12400, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 2 months, and 92.3% lower power consumption.

The Core i9-12900K is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5-12400 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-12900K and Core i5-12400, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i9-12900K
Core i9-12900K
Intel Core i5-12400
Core i5-12400

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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