Intel Core i9-10900K vs Intel Core i5-12400F vs Intel Core i5-10400F

Intel Core i9-10900K

The Intel Core i9-10900K is a high-end processor for desktops with ten cores based on the Comet Lake architecture (CML-S, 4th generation of Skylake). The processor clocks at between 3.7 and 5.3 GHz (all 10 cores up to 4.8 GHz) and can execute up to twenty threads simultaneously thanks to Hyper-Threading. The 5.3 GHz can be only achieved below 70°C core temperature (Thermal Velocity Boost of 100 MHz).

The processor is still manufactured in the old 14nm (14nm++) process. Compared to the predecessor, the Core i9-9900K, the 10900K offers increased clock speeds and two more cores. Thanks to the free multiplicator, the CPU can also be easily overclocked (but may not have much headroom).

The Comet Lake architecture is similar to Coffee Lake and offers the same features and is produced in the same 14nm process. Other than the improved clock rates, the memory controller now also supports faster DDR4-2933 RAM. More information on Comet Lake and all the models and articles on it can be found here.

Performance

Thanks to the high Turbo Boost, the CPU is the fastest gaming CPU available at the time of announcement. Using all cores, the i9 however is slower than the top Ryzen CPUs (like the Ryzen 9 3950X) which offer more cores.

Graphics

The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 iGPU is supposed to offer a similar performance as the UHD630 in the Core i7-9900K. As a  low-end solution it will only run current games smoothly at reduced details - if at all.

Power Consumption

Intel specifies the TDP with 125 Watts (PL1) but under full load up to 250 Watt are consumed (PL2). In default mode these 250 Watt and therefore high clock speeds can be maintained for up to 56 seconds, however, all boards offer the option to alter these settings.

Intel Core i5-12400F

The Intel Core i5-12400F is a fast six-core processor based on the Alder Lake architecture, which was introduced in January 2022. The processor has a base clock speed of 2.5 GHz and reaches a maximum clock speed of up to 4.4 GHz under load. As with its predecessor, the Intel Core i5-11400F, Alder-Lake also supports hyperthreading, which means that up to 12 threads can be processed simultaneously. The Intel Core i5-12400F is manufactured using the 10 nm process. There are many changes to the new architecture, which is essentially based on a hybrid architecture. However, the Intel Core i5-12400F does not fully benefit from this, as only P-cores are used under the heatspreader. Only with the faster Intel Core i5-12600K can you enjoy the performance of the combination of P and E cores. The Intel Core i5-12400F is a non-K CPU, which in turn means that there is no freely selectable multiplier, which means that the CPU is not suitable for overclocking.

Performance

Compared to the Intel Core i5-11400F , the IPC of the Intel Core i5-12400F has been significantly increased again. The performance difference between the two processors is between 10 and 20 percent in most cases. Due to the good single-thread performance, the Intel Core i5-12400F is definitely a sensible CPU to use as the basis in a gaming PC.

Graphics unit

The processors marked with an "F" in the nomenclature do not offer an integrated graphics unit. All other non-F processors can rely on the Intel Iris Xe.

Power consumption

The TDP is relatively low at 65 watts. This is the PL1 value. For Turbo, the Intel Core i5-12400F with PL2 offers a higher TDP of up to 117 watts. If all restrictions are deactivated in the BIOS, there is no time limit for the PL2 value. With the maximum 117 watts, a large cooling unit is not required.

Intel Core i5-10400F

The Intel Core i5-10400F is a mid-range processor for desktops with six cores based on the Comet Lake architecture (CML-S, 4th generation of Skylake). The processor clocks at between 2.9 and 4.3 GHz and can execute up to 12 threads simultaneously thanks to Hyper-Threading.

The processor is still manufactured on the old 14nm (14nm++) process.

The Comet Lake architecture is similar to Coffee Lake and offers the same features and is made with the same 14 nm process. Other than the improved clock rates, the memory controller now also supports faster DDR4-2666 RAM. More information on Comet Lake and all the models and articles on it can be found here.

Performance

The average 10400F in our database matches the Ryzen 7 4800U and also the Core i7-9700K in multi-thread performance to be a more than decent mid-range option for your gaming rig, as of early 2022.

Graphics

The CPUs with an "F" suffix do not feature an integrated graphics adapter. The Intel UHD Graphics 630 iGPU is deactivated.

Power consumption

This Core i5 has a default TDP (also known as the long-term power limit) of 65 W which is in line with most desktop chips.

The i5-10400F is built with one of the old 14 nm Intel processes for poor, as of mid 2023, energy efficiency.