Intel Core i5-12600KF vs Intel Core i5-8400
66.5Single-core31.1
52.4Multi-core28.6
52.1Gaming27.2
18 spec wins — Intel Core i5-12600KF2 spec wins — Intel Core i5-8400
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core i5-12600KF wins this desktop processor face-off, 56.6 to 29, pulling ahead mainly in Single-core (+35) and gaming (+25). Intel Core i5-8400 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 i5-12600KF
- Stronger Single-core score: 67 vs 31
- Stronger Multi-core score: 52 vs 29
- Stronger gaming score: 52 vs 27
- 533% higher L2 cache: 10 MB vs 2 MB
- 197% higher PassMark: 27,300 vs 9,200
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-8400
- 48% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 125 W
- Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
- Lower launch price: $182 vs $264
General
| Spec | Intel Core i5-12600KF | Intel Core i5-8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021 | 2017 |
| Socket | LGA1700 | LGA1151-v2 |
| Process | 10 nm+29% | 14 nm |
| Base TDP | 125 W | 65 W+48% |
| Max turbo power | 150 W | — |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | No |
| Cooler included | No | Yes |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Intel Core i5-12600KF | Intel Core i5-8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 10+67% | 6 |
| Performance cores | 6 | 6 |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 0 |
| Threads | 16+167% | 6 |
| Base clock | 3.7 GHz+32% | 2.8 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.9 GHz+23% | 4 GHz |
| L2 cache | 10 MB+533% | 2 MB |
| L3 cache | 20 MB+122% | 9 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core i5-12600KF | Intel Core i5-8400 |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | — | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,050 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core i5-12600KF | Intel Core i5-8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200 | DDR4-2666 |
| Max memory | 128 GB+100% | 64 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | Intel Core i5-12600KF | Intel Core i5-8400 |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5+67% | 3 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 20+25% | 16 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core i5-12600KF | Intel Core i5-8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 2,400+75%Top 28% | 1,370Top 75% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 12,500+155%Top 29% | 4,900Top 78% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,900+65%Top 21% | 1,150Top 75% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 17,300+170%Top 28% | 6,400Top 77% |
| PassMark | 27,300+197%Top 33% | 9,200Top 80% |
Related comparisons
Intel Core i5-12600KFvs AMD Ryzen 7 8700GVSIntel Core i5-12600KFvs AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3DVSIntel Core i5-12600KFvs AMD Ryzen 9 3900XVSIntel Core i5-12600KFvs AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3DVSIntel Core i5-8400vs Intel Core i7-5820KVSIntel Core i5-8400vs Intel Core i5-9400FVSIntel Core i5-8400vs Intel Core i7-5930KVSIntel Core i5-8400vs Intel Core i7-7700KVS