CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i5-12400 and Intel Core 5 330 are both six-core Intel processors, but they target entirely different market segments and use fundamentally different designs. The i5-12400 is a desktop part from the Alder Lake generation, while the Core 5 330 is a mobile processor from the newer Wildcat Lake lineup. Benchmark data shows the i5-12400 dominates in most multi-threaded and throughput-oriented tasks, securing 13 wins out of 17 head-to-head comparisons. However, the Core 5 330 counters with four wins in specific workloads, including single-threaded performance and prime number calculation. The data indicates a clear split: the i5-12400 is the stronger overall compute performer, while the Core 5 330 offers superior efficiency in certain niche operations.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-12400 establishes its dominance across the vast majority of benchmark categories, particularly in multi-threaded and intensive compute workloads. In the Cinebench suite, which is a standard measure of CPU rendering capability, the i5-12400 wins all six tests, including R15, R20, and R23 variants for both single-core and multi-core. The multi-core scores show a consistent 21.6% advantage over the Core 5 330 across all three Cinebench versions, indicating that the desktop chip's higher thread count and power envelope translate directly into sustained rendering performance.

The i5-12400 also wins heavily in PassMark's integer math test, posting a score of 58,366 against the Core 5 330's 33,258, a massive 75.5% lead. This suggests the i5-12400 is far better suited for general-purpose arithmetic and CPU-bound productivity applications. Data compression is another area of significant advantage, with the i5-12400 scoring 226,908 versus 145,287, a 56.2% difference. This makes the desktop processor the clear choice for archiving, file management, and database workloads that rely on compression algorithms.

The Core 5 330, meanwhile, wins in four specific tests, all from the PassMark suite. The most notable is the single-thread test, where it scores 4,088 compared to the i5-12400's 3,456, representing a 15.5% advantage. This indicates that for lightly-threaded tasks like web browsing, office document editing, or older software that relies on a single core, the Core 5 330 may feel more responsive. It also wins the find prime numbers test with a score of 114 versus 68, a 40.4% difference, and the physics test with 1,201 versus 1,105, an 8% edge. These wins suggest the newer architecture has specific optimizations for integer-heavy, latency-sensitive operations.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is substantial. The Intel Core i5-12400 is built on Intel's 10 nm process node under the Alder Lake-S codename, while the Core 5 330 uses a 3 nm process with the Wildcat Lake codename. This process difference is significant, as the newer 3 nm node allows for dramatically higher transistor density and power efficiency, which is reflected in the Core 5 330's much lower 15 W TDP compared to the i5-12400's 65 W TDP.

Both processors feature six physical cores, but the i5-12400 supports 12 threads through Hyper-Threading, while the Core 5 330 has only 6 threads, meaning it lacks simultaneous multi-threading. This is a critical difference, as it directly explains the i5-12400's substantial multi-core performance advantage across Cinebench and PassMark multi-threaded tests. The i5-12400 also has a higher base clock of 2.50 GHz versus 1.50 GHz, though the Core 5 330 has a slightly higher boost clock at 4.60 GHz versus 4.40 GHz.

Cache hierarchies also differ notably. The i5-12400 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 5 330 has 192 KB of L1 cache, 2.5 MB of L2 cache, and only 6 MB of shared L3 cache. While the Core 5 330 has more L1 and L2 cache per core, the i5-12400's much larger L3 cache likely helps with multi-threaded workloads that share data. Memory support differs as well: the i5-12400 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel configuration, while the Core 5 330 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X in single-channel mode, with a memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s.

The platform integration is entirely different. The i5-12400 uses the Intel Socket 1700 and supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, making it suitable for high-end desktop builds with discrete graphics. The Core 5 330 uses Intel BGA 1516, a soldered mobile socket, and supports only PCIe Gen 4 with 6 lanes. The integrated graphics also differ, with the i5-12400 featuring UHD Graphics 730 and the Core 5 330 featuring Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive victories for the Intel Core i5-12400 come in the PassMark integer math test, where it scores 58,366 against the Core 5 330's 33,258. This 75.5% advantage is the largest margin in any benchmark, highlighting the i5-12400's superior throughput for integer-heavy calculations. The data compression test shows a 56.2% lead for the i5-12400, with scores of 226,908 versus 145,287, indicating a strong advantage in file handling and data processing.

In the Cinebench suite, the i5-12400 wins every test with a consistent 21.6% margin across both single-core and multi-core variants. For example, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-12400 scores 15,989 against 13,150 for the Core 5 330. The single-core scores show a similar pattern: 2,257 versus 1,856 in R23. This consistency across different Cinebench versions suggests that the i5-12400's advantage is not workload-specific but rather a general performance lead.

The PassMark multi-thread test shows a 21.2% advantage for the i5-12400, with scores of 18,747 versus 15,471. Random string sorting also favors the i5-12400, with a 25.9% lead (22,366 versus 17,771). Floating-point math is closer, with the i5-12400 winning by just 3.7% (45,494 versus 43,885). Data encryption is the tightest race, with the i5-12400 scoring 11,418 against 11,076, a mere 3.1% difference.

The Core 5 330's wins are notable but fewer. Its biggest victory is in the find prime numbers test, where it scores 114 against the i5-12400's 68, a 40.4% margin. The single-thread test shows a 15.5% lead for the Core 5 330 (4,088 versus 3,456). The physics test shows an 8% edge (1,201 versus 1,105). These wins suggest that while the Core 5 330 lags in raw throughput, it has architectural advantages for specific latency-sensitive operations.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i5-12400 has 12 threads, while the Intel Core 5 330 has only 6 threads. Both have 6 physical cores.

Q: What is the performance difference in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The i5-12400 scores 15,989, which is 21.6% higher than the Core 5 330's score of 13,150.

Q: Which processor wins the PassMark single-thread test?

A: The Intel Core 5 330 wins with a score of 4,088, which is 15.5% higher than the i5-12400's score of 3,456.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for these processors?

A: The i5-12400 has a TDP of 65 W, while the Core 5 330 has a much lower TDP of 15 W.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The i5-12400 has 18 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core 5 330 has only 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The i5-12400 supports DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode, while the Core 5 330 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X in single-channel mode.

The Verdict

The benchmark data clearly favors the Intel Core i5-12400 for users who prioritize raw performance across a wide range of tasks. Its 13 wins out of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, including a 21.6% lead in all Cinebench tests and a 75.5% lead in integer math, make it the superior choice for rendering, content creation, data compression, and multi-threaded productivity workloads. The i5-12400's 12 threads versus 6 threads and its larger 18 MB L3 cache are the primary reasons for its dominance in these areas.

The Intel Core 5 330 is the better option for specific scenarios where its architectural advantages shine. Its 15.5% lead in the PassMark single-thread test indicates it may feel snappier in everyday applications that rely on single-core performance. The 40.4% win in prime number finding and 8% win in physics suggest it has optimizations for integer-heavy, latency-sensitive calculations. Its 3 nm process node and 15 W TDP also make it far more power-efficient, which is critical for mobile devices.

However, the data does not support choosing the Core 5 330 for demanding desktop workloads. Its 21.2% deficit in PassMark multi-thread and 21.6% deficit in Cinebench R23 multi-core show that it cannot keep pace with the i5-12400 in sustained compute tasks. The i5-12400's dual-channel memory support and PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes also make it more suitable for high-performance desktop builds. The Core 5 330's single-channel memory and PCIe Gen 4 with 6 lanes limit its expansion capabilities. Ultimately, the i5-12400 is the correct pick for desktop performance, while the Core 5 330 is the correct pick for efficient mobile computing.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors:

• Process Node: The i5-12400 uses 10 nm, while the Core 5 330 uses 3 nm.
• Codename: The i5-12400 is Alder Lake-S, while the Core 5 330 is Wildcat Lake.
• Threads: The i5-12400 has 12 threads, the Core 5 330 has 6.
• Base Clock: The i5-12400 runs at 2.50 GHz, the Core 5 330 at 1.50 GHz.
• Boost Clock: The i5-12400 boosts to 4.40 GHz, the Core 5 330 to 4.60 GHz.
• TDP: The i5-12400 has a 65 W TDP, the Core 5 330 has a 15 W TDP.
• Socket: The i5-12400 uses Intel Socket 1700, the Core 5 330 uses Intel BGA 1516.
• L1 Cache: The i5-12400 has 80 KB per core, the Core 5 330 has 192 KB.
• L2 Cache: The i5-12400 has 1.25 MB per core, the Core 5 330 has 2.5 MB.
• L3 Cache: The i5-12400 has 18 MB shared, the Core 5 330 has 6 MB shared.
• Memory Support: The i5-12400 supports DDR4 and DDR5, the Core 5 330 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X.
• Memory Bus: The i5-12400 is dual-channel, the Core 5 330 is single-channel.
• Memory Bandwidth: The Core 5 330 has a rated 59.7 GB/s; the i5-12400 has no listed bandwidth.
• PCIe: The i5-12400 supports Gen 5 with 16 lanes, the Core 5 330 supports Gen 4 with 6 lanes.
• Integrated Graphics: The i5-12400 has UHD Graphics 730, the Core 5 330 has Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe).
• Market Segment: The i5-12400 is desktop, the Core 5 330 is mobile.
• Release Date: The i5-12400 was released 2022-01-03, the Core 5 330 on 2026-04-15.
• Launch MSRP: The i5-12400 had a launch MSRP of $199, the Core 5 330 of $309.
• Part Number: The i5-12400 is SRL4VSRL5Y, the Core 5 330 is SAE3G.