Intel Core i5-12400 vs Intel Core i7-9700 Comparison

The Intel Core i5-12400 and Intel Core i7-9700 are both desktop processors, but they belong to different generations and architectures. The recorded benchmark data is decisive: the i5-12400 wins 18 of 19 head-to-head tests, with an average benchmark score of 18683 against 18180 for the i7-9700. The only exception is a single sorting test. This analysis breaks down the results, the architectural differences, and the use cases where each processor holds an edge.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i5-12400 dominates the i7-9700 across nearly every measured workload. The largest margin comes in PassMark data encryption, where the i5 scores 11418 against 4322, a 164.2% advantage. This is followed by integer math, where the i5 leads 58366 to 40138, a 45.4% gap. Multi-threaded rendering also shows a clear separation: in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5 scores 15989 versus 11200, a 42.8% lead, and the same delta appears in Cinebench R15 multi-core (1611 vs 1128) and Cinebench R20 multi-core (6715 vs 4704). The i5 also wins PassMark multithread by 41.8% (18747 vs 13223) and PassMark find prime numbers by 41.7% (68 vs 48).

Single-thread performance follows the same pattern. The i5 wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 42.8% (2257 vs 1581), Cinebench R20 single-core by 42.6% (947 vs 664), and Geekbench single-core by 18.5% (1848 vs 1560). PassMark single-thread shows a 25.4% advantage (3456 vs 2756). The i5 also leads in floating-point math (45494 vs 34187, 33.1%), physics (1105 vs 820, 34.8%), data compression (226908 vs 181411, 25.1%), and extended instructions (15399 vs 14488, 6.3%). Geekbench multi-core is 25.9% higher (8564 vs 6800).

The i7-9700 claims exactly one win: PassMark random string sorting, where it scores 23482 against 22366, a 4.8% advantage. This is the only test in the entire head-to-head set where the i7 outperforms the i5. All other 18 tests favor the i5, with deltas ranging from 6.3% to 164.2%. The data shows a consistent and substantial performance gap in favor of the newer i5-12400.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The i7-9700 has 8 physical cores, while the i5-12400 has 6. However, the i5 supports 12 threads via Hyper-Threading, whereas the i7 has only 8 threads. The i5's extra threads contribute to its multi-threaded wins, including a 42.8% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The i7-9700 boosts to 4.70 GHz, while the i5-12400 boosts to 4.40 GHz. Despite the lower boost clock, the i5 wins all single-thread tests, including a 42.8% advantage in Cinebench R23 single-core (2257 vs 1581) and an 18.5% lead in Geekbench single-core.

Q: Which processor supports DDR5 memory?

A: The i5-12400 supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the i7-9700 supports only DDR4. This gives the i5 access to newer memory platforms, though the recorded data does not include a memory bandwidth figure for the i5.

Q: What is the difference in L3 cache?

A: The i5-12400 has 18 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-9700 has 12 MB. The i5 also has larger per-core caches: 80 KB of L1 and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, versus 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core for the i7.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The i5-12400 averages 18683 across all recorded benchmarks, compared to 18180 for the i7-9700. Both sit at the 72nd percentile of all CPUs, but the i5's average is higher, reflecting its broader performance advantage.

Q: Which processor is still in production?

A: The i5-12400 is listed as Active, while the i7-9700 is End-of-life. The i5 was released in January 2022, the i7 in April 2019.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations. The i5-12400 is based on Alder Lake, built on a 10 nm process, while the i7-9700 uses Coffee Lake on a 14 nm process. The i5 has a die size of 163 mm², the i7 180.3 mm². The i5 features 6 cores and 12 threads, with 80 KB of L1 and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, plus 18 MB of shared L3. The i7 has 8 cores and 8 threads, with 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, plus 12 MB of shared L3. The i5 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the i7 is limited to DDR4. The i5 uses PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, the i7 uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well: the i5 has UHD Graphics 730, the i7 has UHD Graphics 630. The i5 is built on a newer process node, which likely contributes to its higher performance per clock despite a lower boost clock.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-12400 | Intel Core i7-9700 |

|----------------|----------------------|---------------------|

| Cores | 6 | 8 |

| Threads | 12 | 8 |

| Base clock | 2.50 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.40 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Alder Lake | Coffee Lake |

| Process node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| Die size | 163 mm² | 180.3 mm² |

| L1 cache (per core) | 80 KB | 64 KB |

| L2 cache (per core) | 1.25 MB | 256 KB |

| L3 cache (shared) | 18 MB | 12 MB |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4 |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes | Gen 3, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | UHD Graphics 630 |

| Production status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release date | 2022-01-03 | 2019-04-22 |

| Launch MSRP | $199 | $333 |

Both processors have a TDP of 65 W, dual-channel memory buses, and no unlocked multiplier. The i7-9700 lists a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the i5-12400 does not have a recorded figure in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-12400 wins in every category except one. It is superior in multi-threaded workloads, as shown by its 42.8% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 41.8% lead in PassMark multithread. It also wins in single-thread performance, with a 42.8% advantage in Cinebench R23 single-core and 25.4% in PassMark single-thread. Encryption, integer math, floating-point math, physics, data compression, extended instructions, and prime number finding all favor the i5 by margins from 6.3% to 164.2%. The i5 also has a higher average benchmark score and supports newer memory and PCIe standards.

The i7-9700 wins only in PassMark random string sorting, with a 4.8% edge (23482 vs 22366). This is a narrow, workload-specific advantage. For general computing, content creation, gaming, or any task that benefits from higher multi-threaded or single-threaded throughput, the i5-12400 is the clear choice. The i7's sole win is unlikely to offset its losses in every other measured area.

The Verdict

The Intel Core i5-12400 is the definitive winner in this comparison. It wins 18 of 19 head-to-head tests, has a higher average benchmark score (18683 vs 18180), and is built on a newer architecture with support for DDR5 and PCIe Gen 5. The i7-9700's only advantage is a 4.8% lead in random string sorting, and it is end-of-life. For almost any use case, the i5-12400 is the better processor. The i7-9700 might be considered only if a specific workload relies heavily on random string sorting and that 4.8% margin is critical, but the i5's overwhelming performance lead makes it the recommended choice for the vast majority of users.