Intel Core i5-12400 vs Intel Core i7-8700 Comparison

The Intel Core i5-12400 and the Intel Core i7-8700 are both six-core, twelve-thread desktop processors, but they belong to different eras of Intel’s design philosophy. The i7-8700 launched in late 2017 as a Coffee Lake part, while the i5-12400 arrived in early 2022 as part of the Alder Lake family. The database records 19 head-to-head benchmark comparisons between the two, and the i5-12400 wins 18 of them. The single victory for the i7-8700 comes in random string sorting, a specific workload that rewards its older memory architecture. This article examines what the recorded data reveals about these two CPUs, focusing on benchmark deltas, architectural differences, and the practical implications for users.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the head-to-head results is the consistency of the i5-12400’s lead. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-12400 scores 15989 against the i7-8700’s 10829, a delta of 47.6%. The single-core version of the same test shows a nearly identical gap: 2257 versus 1528, which is 47.7% ahead. Cinebench R20 and R15 follow the same script, with multi-core deltas of 47.6% and 47.7%, and single-core deltas of 47.7% and 48.4% respectively. This uniformity suggests the performance advantage is not workload-specific but rather a fundamental improvement in per-core throughput.

Geekbench results paint a similar but slightly narrower picture. The multi-core score for the i5-12400 is 8564, compared to 6519 for the i7-8700, a 31.4% advantage. Single-core Geekbench shows 1848 versus 1538, which is 20.2% ahead. The smaller single-core gap here hints that the i5-12400’s boost clock of 4.40 GHz, while lower than the i7-8700’s 4.60 GHz, still delivers more instructions per clock.

PassMark tests reveal the widest margins. Data encryption is the standout: the i5-12400 scores 11418, while the i7-8700 manages only 4488, a delta of 154.4%. Prime number finding also shows a massive gap, with 68 versus 35, a 94.3% difference. Floating point math is 63.4% ahead (45494 versus 27839), and physics is 51% ahead (1105 versus 732). These results indicate that the newer processor’s architecture handles complex arithmetic and cryptographic operations far more efficiently.

The only reverse result is in random string sorting. Here the i7-8700 scores 23963, while the i5-12400 scores 22366, making the i7-8700 6.7% faster. This is a curious outlier. The i7-8700’s higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz may help in a latency-sensitive workload that does not scale with the i5-12400’s larger cache or newer instruction support. Still, this single win does little to offset the overall picture.

The average benchmark score for the i5-12400 is 18683, placing it in the 72nd percentile of all CPUs. The i7-8700 has an average score of 18223, also in the 72nd percentile. The difference is small in aggregate, but the head-to-head deltas show that the i5-12400’s wins are often large, while its one loss is modest.

Architecture Differences

The two processors sit on different manufacturing nodes and sockets. The i5-12400 uses Intel’s 10 nm process, while the i7-8700 uses the older 14 nm node. The i5-12400 is built on the Alder Lake-S architecture and fits the Intel Socket 1700. The i7-8700 is a Coffee Lake part on Intel Socket 1151. These sockets are not interchangeable, so any upgrade path requires a new motherboard.

Cache layouts differ substantially. The i5-12400 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The i7-8700 offers 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The i5-12400’s larger L2 and L3 caches likely contribute to its strong showing in memory-sensitive workloads like data compression, where it leads 226908 to 187009, a 21.3% margin.

Memory support also diverges. The i5-12400 supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the i7-8700 is limited to DDR4. The i7-8700 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the i5-12400’s bandwidth is not listed in the database. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The i5-12400’s PCIe interface is Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, whereas the i7-8700 uses Gen 3 with 16 lanes. This forward-looking connectivity is a notable advantage for the newer part.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i5-12400 carries UHD Graphics 730, while the i7-8700 has UHD Graphics 630. Neither is a gaming powerhouse, but the newer GPU is a generational step forward. The i5-12400 has a die size of 163 mm², slightly larger than the i7-8700’s 154 mm², despite the smaller process node, which reflects the added cache and newer blocks.

Production status separates the two clearly. The i5-12400 is listed as active, while the i7-8700 is end-of-life. The i5-12400’s release date is 2022-01-03, and the i7-8700’s is 2017-10-04. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is limited to boost behavior.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The i5-12400 leads in every recorded multi-core test. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 15989 versus 10829, a 47.6% advantage. PassMark multithread is 18747 versus 12756, a 47% lead. Geekbench multi-core is 8564 versus 6519, a 31.4% gap.

Q: Is the single-core performance also better on the i5-12400?

A: Yes. The i5-12400 wins all single-core tests in the head-to-head set. Cinebench R23 single-core is 2257 versus 1528, a 47.7% delta. Geekbench single-core is 1848 versus 1538, a 20.2% lead. PassMark single-thread is 3456 versus 2629, a 31.5% difference.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: Data encryption in PassMark shows the largest delta. The i5-12400 scores 11418, which is 154.4% higher than the i7-8700’s 4488. Prime number finding is also extreme, with a 94.3% gap.

Q: Does the i7-8700 win any benchmark?

A: The i7-8700 wins exactly one head-to-head test: PassMark random string sorting, with 23963 versus 22366, a 6.7% advantage for the older part.

Q: Are there any architectural similarities?

A: Both have 6 cores and 12 threads, a 65 W TDP, and dual-channel memory support. Neither supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers.

Q: Which processor has better memory and PCIe support?

A: The i5-12400 supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the i7-8700 only supports DDR4. The i5-12400 also has PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, while the i7-8700 is limited to PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes.

Specification Differences

The clearest differences are in process node, socket, and cache. The i5-12400 uses a 10 nm process, while the i7-8700 uses 14 nm. The i5-12400 fits Socket 1700, and the i7-8700 fits Socket 1151. L1 cache is 80 KB per core versus 64 KB per core. L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core versus 256 KB per core. L3 cache is 18 MB shared versus 12 MB shared.

Base and boost clocks differ. The i5-12400 has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost of 4.40 GHz. The i7-8700 has a base of 3.20 GHz and a boost of 4.60 GHz. Despite the lower clock speeds, the i5-12400 performs better in nearly all tests, indicating superior IPC.

Memory support is another divider. The i5-12400 lists DDR4 and DDR5, while the i7-8700 lists only DDR4. The i7-8700 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, a figure not provided for the i5-12400. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 730 versus UHD Graphics 630. The launch MSRP for the i5-12400 is $199, and for the i7-8700 it is $303.

Production status and release dates are also different. The i5-12400 is active and released on 2022-01-03, while the i7-8700 is end-of-life and released on 2017-10-04. Die size is 163 mm² for the i5-12400 and 154 mm² for the i7-8700. Both have 6 cores and 12 threads, 65 W TDP, and no unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The recorded data points strongly toward the i5-12400 as the superior processor. It wins 18 of 19 head-to-head benchmarks, with margins ranging from 20.2% to 154.4%. The i7-8700’s only win is a 6.7% edge in random string sorting, a narrow and specialized result. The i5-12400 also offers modern platform features: DDR5 support, PCIe Gen 5, a 10 nm process, and a newer integrated GPU. The i7-8700’s higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz does not translate into a performance win in any general benchmark, which suggests the i5-12400’s architectural improvements are decisive.

For a user choosing between these two today, the i5-12400 is the clear pick based on benchmark results. It is faster in multi-core, single-core, encryption, physics, and integer math. The i7-8700 might still be found in older systems, and its random string sorting win is interesting for that specific niche, but the overall record does not support a recommendation for the older chip. The i5-12400’s active production status also means it remains available for new builds, while the i7-8700 is end-of-life.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-12400 dominates across almost every workload category. In multi-threaded rendering, Cinebench R23 shows a 47.6% lead. In data compression, it is 21.3% ahead. In encryption, it is 154.4% ahead. In floating point and integer math, it leads by 63.4% and 30% respectively. For users running modern games, compiling code, or processing large datasets, the i5-12400 is the stronger option.

The i7-8700’s sole win is in random string sorting, where it scores 23963 against 22366. This test likely benefits from the i7-8700’s higher boost clock and a memory access pattern that does not take advantage of the i5-12400’s larger cache. If a workload is heavily dependent on this specific sorting behavior, the older chip has a small but measurable edge. Beyond that, the i7-8700 offers no other recorded advantages.

In practical terms, the i5-12400’s wins are not marginal. The smallest lead is 20.2% in Geekbench single-core, and most are above 30%. The i7-8700’s win is only 6.7%. The aggregate benchmark scores are close (18683 versus 18223), but the head-to-head data reveals that the i5-12400’s performance is more consistent and broadly applicable. The i7-8700 remains a capable six-core processor, but the database’s measurements indicate the i5-12400 is the better choice for nearly all users.