Intel Core i5-12400T vs Intel Core i7-11700T Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-12400T wins all eight recorded head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Core i7-11700T. This is not a narrow victory; the i5-12400T leads by 2.2% in every Cinebench test and by 7.9% to 12.1% in Geekbench. For anyone choosing between these two 35W TDP parts, the i5-12400T is the superior performer in every measured workload.

The i7-11700T retains a structural advantage in core count (8 cores versus 6) and a higher boost clock (4.60 GHz versus 4.20 GHz), yet the i5-12400T's newer architecture overcomes those deficits. The i5-12400T also posts a higher average benchmark score of 4019 versus 3864 for the i7-11700T, and it sits at the 57th percentile among all CPUs versus the 56th for the i7-11700T.

The i7-11700T is an end-of-life product, while the i5-12400T is active. The i5-12400T carries a launch MSRP of $192, while the i7-11700T had a launch MSRP of $323. Given the i5-12400T's complete sweep of the benchmark suite, the newer part is the clear recommendation for new builds. The i7-11700T only makes sense if you already own an LGA 1200 platform and cannot switch sockets.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations and process nodes. The i5-12400T is built on Alder Lake (Alder Lake-S) using Intel's 10 nm process, with a die size of 163 mm². The i7-11700T uses Rocket Lake (Rocket Lake-S) on Intel's 14 nm process, with a die size of 276 mm². The smaller die on a smaller process node gives the i5-12400T a manufacturing efficiency advantage.

Core counts differ: the i5-12400T has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the i7-11700T has 8 cores and 16 threads. Despite having two fewer cores, the i5-12400T still wins multi-threaded benchmarks. The i5-12400T compensates with a higher base clock of 1800 MHz versus 1400 MHz for the i7-11700T. The i7-11700T has a higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz versus 4.20 GHz.

Cache layouts differ as well. The i5-12400T provides 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, versus 512 KB per core for the i7-11700T. Both share 80 KB of L1 per core. The i5-12400T has 18 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-11700T has 16 MB of shared L3.

Memory support is a key differentiator. The i5-12400T supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the i7-11700T supports DDR4 only. Both use a dual-channel memory bus. The i7-11700T has a recorded memory bandwidth figure of 51.2 GB/s, while the i5-12400T does not have a recorded bandwidth number in the database. The i5-12400T offers PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-11700T offers PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics differ: the i5-12400T has UHD Graphics 730, while the i7-11700T has UHD Graphics 750. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The i5-12400T uses Intel Socket 1700, while the i7-11700T uses Intel Socket 1200. These are not interchangeable platforms.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i5-12400T wins every single recorded benchmark. The margins are consistent and telling.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5-12400T scores 1333 against 1304 for the i7-11700T, a 2.2% lead. In Cinebench R15 singlecore, the i5-12400T scores 188 against 184, also 2.2% ahead. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multicore: 5558 versus 5436, again 2.2%. In Cinebench R20 singlecore, the i5-12400T scores 784 versus 767, a 2.2% advantage.

Cinebench R23 shows the same consistency. The i5-12400T scores 13234 in multicore against 12945 for the i7-11700T, a 2.2% lead. In singlecore, the i5-12400T scores 1868 against 1827, again 2.2% ahead.

Geekbench is where the i5-12400T really pulls away. In Geekbench multicore, the i5-12400T scores 7144 versus 6621 for the i7-11700T, a substantial 7.9% lead. In Geekbench singlecore, the i5-12400T scores 2044 versus 1824, a 12.1% advantage. The larger Geekbench deltas suggest the i5-12400T's architecture delivers a more pronounced improvement in integer and floating-point workloads beyond what Cinebench exposes.

The 2.2% Cinebench margins are remarkably uniform. This suggests the i5-12400T's per-core efficiency compensates exactly for the i7-11700T's two extra cores. The Geekbench results show that the i5-12400T can do more than just keep pace; it can decisively outperform the older chip when the workload scales better with architectural efficiency.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700T has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core i5-12400T has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Does the i5-12400T win any benchmarks despite having fewer cores?

A: Yes, the i5-12400T wins all eight recorded benchmarks. It leads by 2.2% in every Cinebench test (R15, R20, R23, both multicore and singlecore) and by 7.9% in Geekbench multicore and 12.1% in Geekbench singlecore.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The i5-12400T supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The i7-11700T supports DDR4 only.

Q: What are the process nodes for these two chips?

A: The i5-12400T uses a 10 nm process node. The i7-11700T uses a 14 nm process node.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The i7-11700T has a boost clock of 4.60 GHz, which is higher than the i5-12400T's 4.20 GHz. The i5-12400T has a higher base clock of 1800 MHz versus 1400 MHz.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The i5-12400T is listed as active in production. The i7-11700T is listed as end-of-life.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-12400T is the winner in every scenario where benchmark performance matters. It dominates all eight recorded tests, so any workload that relies on CPU throughput, whether single-threaded or multi-threaded, favors the i5-12400T. The 12.1% lead in Geekbench singlecore makes it the better choice for responsive desktop tasks, compilation, and any software that rewards per-thread performance. The 7.9% lead in Geekbench multicore extends that advantage to parallel workloads.

The i5-12400T also offers platform flexibility with DDR4 and DDR5 support, plus PCIe Gen 5 connectivity. For new builds, this is the only reasonable pick between the two. Its active production status means it remains available for purchase, and its smaller 10 nm die (163 mm² versus 276 mm²) suggests better manufacturing efficiency.

The i7-11700T does have two advantages in the raw specifications. It has more cores (8 versus 6) and a higher boost clock (4.60 GHz versus 4.20 GHz). In theory, these could help in heavily threaded workloads that scale perfectly with core count and are not limited by architecture. However, the recorded benchmarks show no such scenario. The i5-12400T wins Cinebench R23 multicore with 13234 points against 12945, so even in a purely multi-threaded render workload, the i7-11700T's extra cores do not overcome the i5-12400T's architectural lead.

The i7-11700T also has UHD Graphics 750, which is a higher-tier integrated GPU than the UHD Graphics 730 in the i5-12400T. For systems relying solely on integrated graphics, the i7-11700T might offer a slight edge in GPU-accelerated tasks, though no benchmark data in the database confirms this.

The i7-11700T's only practical advantage is for users already on Intel Socket 1200 who cannot upgrade to Socket 1700. The i5-12400T requires Socket 1700, so the i7-11700T remains a viable upgrade path for existing Rocket Lake or Comet Lake platforms. Beyond that specific constraint, the data gives no reason to choose the i7-11700T. The i5-12400T wins every benchmark, has a lower launch MSRP ($192 versus $323), supports newer memory and PCIe standards, and is still in active production.