How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i5-12400 scores 47.3/100 overall; Intel Core i9-9900K scores 42.5/100. Intel Core i5-12400 wins 13 individual spec rows, Intel Core i9-9900K wins 8.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i5-12400 and the Intel Core i9-9900K?

Intel Core i5-12400 advantages: Stronger Single-core score: 56 vs 40; 275% higher L2 cache: 8 MB vs 2 MB; 67% higher PCIe version: 5 vs 3; 32% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 95 W; 32% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 1,690 vs 1,280; Lower launch price: $192 vs $488. Intel Core i9-9900K advantages: 44% higher Base clock: 3.6 GHz vs 2.5 GHz; 33% higher cores: 8 vs 6; 33% higher Performance cores: 8 vs 6; 33% higher threads: 16 vs 12; 14% higher Boost clock: 5 GHz vs 4.4 GHz.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i5-12400 or Intel Core i9-9900K?

Intel Core i5-12400 launched cheaper at $192, versus $488 for the Intel Core i9-9900K.

Intel Core i5-12400 vs Intel Core i9-9900K

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i5-12400

$192

Intel

Intel Core i9-9900K

$488

56.4Single-core40.4

41.7Multi-core41.2

46.5Gaming47.4

13 spec wins — Intel Core i5-124008 spec wins — Intel Core i9-9900K

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i5-12400 wins this desktop processor face-off, 47.3 to 42.5, pulling ahead mainly in Single-core (+16) and Multi-core (+1). Intel Core i9-9900K still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-12400

Stronger Single-core score: 56 vs 40
275% higher L2 cache: 8 MB vs 2 MB
67% higher PCIe version: 5 vs 3
32% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 95 W
32% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 1,690 vs 1,280
Lower launch price: $192 vs $488

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i9-9900K

44% higher Base clock: 3.6 GHz vs 2.5 GHz
33% higher cores: 8 vs 6
33% higher Performance cores: 8 vs 6
33% higher threads: 16 vs 12
14% higher Boost clock: 5 GHz vs 4.4 GHz

General

General comparison: Intel Core i5-12400 versus Intel Core i9-9900K
Spec	Intel Core i5-12400	Intel Core i9-9900K
Announced	2022	2018
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1151-v2
Process	10 nm+29%	14 nm
Base TDP	65 W+32%	95 W
Max turbo power	117 W	119 W+2%
Unlocked multiplier	No	Yes
Cooler included	Yes	No

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i5-12400 versus Intel Core i9-9900K
Spec	Intel Core i5-12400	Intel Core i9-9900K
Cores	6	8+33%
Performance cores	6	8+33%
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	12	16+33%
Base clock	2.5 GHz	3.6 GHz+44%
Boost clock	4.4 GHz	5 GHz+14%
L2 cache	8 MB+275%	2 MB
L3 cache	18 MB+13%	16 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i5-12400 versus Intel Core i9-9900K
Spec	Intel Core i5-12400	Intel Core i9-9900K
iGPU	Intel UHD Graphics 730	Intel UHD Graphics 630
iGPU clock	1,450 MHz+21%	1,200 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i5-12400 versus Intel Core i9-9900K
Spec	Intel Core i5-12400	Intel Core i9-9900K
Memory support	DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200	DDR4-2666
Max memory	128 GB	128 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i5-12400 versus Intel Core i9-9900K
Spec	Intel Core i5-12400	Intel Core i9-9900K
PCIe version	5+67%	3
CPU PCIe lanes	20+25%	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i5-12400 versus Intel Core i9-9900K
Spec	Intel Core i5-12400	Intel Core i9-9900K
Geekbench 6 (single)	2,100+22%Top 32%	1,720Top 51%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	9,400+7%Top 43%	8,800Top 46%
Cinebench R23 (single)	1,690+32%Top 33%	1,280Top 62%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	11,900Top 47%	12,400+4%Top 45%
PassMark	19,700+6%Top 49%	18,600Top 53%

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