Intel Core i5-14400F vs Intel Core i7-12700 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data paints a clear picture: the Intel Core i7-12700 wins 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i5-14400F takes only 2. The overall average benchmark scores reflect this dominance, with the i7-12700 posting 32942 against 32279 for the i5-14400F, a gap of roughly 2%.

The largest victory for the i7-12700 comes in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where it scores 3151 against 2181 for the i5-14400F, a decisive 44.5% advantage. This is the single biggest delta in the entire comparison and shows how much additional parallel throughput the i7-12700 can bring to heavily threaded workloads. Cinebench R20 multi-core also favors the i7-12700 by 17%, with scores of 10639 versus 9090. However, the gap narrows dramatically in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the i7-12700 scores 21751 and the i5-14400F scores 21645, a margin of just 0.5%. This suggests that as the workload scales and becomes more demanding, the two processors converge substantially on multi-threaded performance.

PassMark integer math is another strong showing for the i7-12700, which scores 106554 against 81524, a 30.7% lead. Floating point math follows a similar pattern, with the i7-12700 at 81191 and the i5-14400F at 61319, a 32.4% advantage. Data encryption and compression also favor the i7-12700, with 18.8% and 19.2% leads respectively. Random string sorting shows a 19.2% edge for the i7-12700, and extended instructions come in 21.3% ahead. The i7-12700 also wins in PassMark multi-thread by 18.9%, physics by 2.3%, and find prime numbers by 17.4%.

The i5-14400F claims its two wins in single-core Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 307 against 272, an 11.4% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the margin expands to 38%, with the i5-14400F scoring 3055 versus 1894 for the i7-12700. Interestingly, the i7-12700 still wins PassMark single-thread by 4.4%, scoring 3864 against 3701. The i7-12700 also takes Cinebench R20 single-core by 17%, scoring 1501 versus 1283. So the i5-14400F's single-core advantage is specific to the Cinebench R15 and R23 workloads, not universal across all single-threaded tests.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-12700 is the clear choice for multi-threaded and compute-heavy tasks. The data shows it ahead in every PassMark math, encryption, compression, and sorting test, with leads ranging from 2.3% in physics up to 32.4% in floating point math. For users running video encoding, 3D rendering, scientific simulations, or any workload that scales across all cores, the i7-12700's 12 cores and 20 threads provide a measurable advantage over the i5-14400F's 10 cores and 16 threads.

The i5-14400F wins in Cinebench R23 single-core by a substantial 38% margin, and it also leads in Cinebench R15 single-core by 11.4%. This suggests that for lightly threaded applications that rely heavily on a single core, such as certain legacy software or specific game engines, the i5-14400F can deliver better responsiveness. The i5-14400F also has a higher base clock of 2.50 GHz against 2.10 GHz for the i7-12700, which may contribute to its single-core performance in specific scenarios.

The i7-12700 counters with a 4.4% win in PassMark single-thread and a 17% win in Cinebench R20 single-core. So the single-core story is mixed: the i5-14400F dominates in two of the four recorded single-thread tests, while the i7-12700 wins the other two. The multi-core story is not mixed at all. The i7-12700 wins every multi-threaded test in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700 wins every multi-core benchmark in the database. It leads by 44.5% in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 17% in Cinebench R20 multi-core, 18.9% in PassMark multi-thread, and even in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the gap is smallest, it still wins by 0.5% with a score of 21751 against 21645.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-14400F beat the i7-12700 in any test?

A: Yes, the i5-14400F wins two tests: Cinebench R15 single-core (307 versus 272, an 11.4% lead) and Cinebench R23 single-core (3055 versus 1894, a 38% lead).

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in PassMark single-thread performance?

A: The i7-12700 wins PassMark single-thread with a score of 3864 against 3701, a 4.4% advantage. This shows that the i5-14400F's single-core wins do not extend to every single-threaded workload.

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

A: The largest gap is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the i7-12700 scores 3151 and the i5-14400F scores 2181, a 44.5% difference. The second largest is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the i5-14400F leads by 38%.

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700 has 12 cores and 20 threads. The Intel Core i5-14400F has 10 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Do both CPUs support the same memory types?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory with dual-channel memory buses. Both also use Intel Socket 1700 and have Gen 5 PCIe with 16 CPU lanes.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in core count, thread count, base clock, boost clock, L3 cache, integrated graphics, ECC memory support, release date, launch MSRP, and part number.

The i7-12700 has 12 cores and 20 threads, while the i5-14400F has 10 cores and 16 threads. The base clock of the i7-12700 is 2.10 GHz, while the i5-14400F has a higher base clock of 2.50 GHz. The boost clock of the i7-12700 is 4.90 GHz, compared to 4.70 GHz for the i5-14400F.

The L3 cache differs: the i7-12700 has 25 MB shared, while the i5-14400F has 20 MB shared. Both have the same L1 cache at 80 KB per core and the same L2 cache at 1.25 MB per core.

Integrated graphics is a major differentiator. The i7-12700 includes UHD Graphics 770, while the i5-14400F has no integrated graphics (listed as N/A). This means the i5-14400F requires a discrete graphics card for display output.

ECC memory support also differs. The i5-14400F supports ECC memory, while the i7-12700 does not. The i5-14400F has a release date of 2024-01-07, while the i7-12700 has no recorded release date in the database.

The launch MSRP of the i7-12700 is $349, while the launch MSRP of the i5-14400F is $196.

Architecture Differences

The i7-12700 is built on Alder Lake architecture with the codename Alder Lake-S, part of Intel's Core 12th Gen series. The i5-14400F uses Raptor Lake architecture with the codename Raptor Lake-R, part of Intel's Core 14th Gen series.

Both processors are manufactured on a 10 nm process node at Intel, with the same die size of 215 mm². Both use Intel Socket 1700 and support DDR4 and DDR5 memory on dual-channel buses. Both have Gen 5 PCIe with 16 CPU lanes.

The core count difference is the most significant architectural distinction. The i7-12700 offers 12 cores and 20 threads, while the i5-14400F offers 10 cores and 16 threads. This two-core, four-thread difference explains much of the i7-12700's multi-core performance advantage.

The L3 cache also differs, with the i7-12700 providing 25 MB shared versus 20 MB shared for the i5-14400F. This 5 MB difference in cache capacity can affect performance in cache-sensitive workloads.

Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so both are locked for overclocking. The i7-12700 has the part number SRL4Q, while the i5-14400F has the part number SRN3RSRN47.

The Verdict

The data supports a straightforward conclusion: the Intel Core i7-12700 is the faster processor in the majority of recorded benchmarks. It wins 15 of 17 head-to-head tests, including every multi-core test and every PassMark test. Its advantages range from a narrow 0.5% in Cinebench R23 multi-core to a commanding 44.5% in Cinebench R15 multi-core. For workloads that use many threads, such as content creation, rendering, compression, and mathematical computation, the i7-12700 is the stronger choice.

The Intel Core i5-14400F is not without merit. It wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 38% and Cinebench R15 single-core by 11.4%, which makes it attractive for applications that depend heavily on single-core performance. Its higher base clock of 2.50 GHz may contribute to these wins. The i5-14400F also supports ECC memory, which the i7-12700 does not, and it includes integrated graphics, which the i5-14400F lacks entirely.

The i7-12700 also carries UHD Graphics 770, so users who need integrated graphics for basic display output or troubleshooting will need to account for that difference. The i5-14400F requires a discrete GPU.

Both processors sit at the 83rd percentile among all CPUs in the database, indicating that they are closely matched in overall standing. The average benchmark scores are 32942 for the i7-12700 and 32279 for the i5-14400F, a difference of about 2%. The nearest rivals for the i7-12700 include the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D at 33079 and the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G at 33089, both slightly ahead, while the Intel Core 5 213PTE at 32924 and AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850H at 32812 are slightly behind. The i5-14400F's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U at 32233, Intel Core i9-11900 at 32226, AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS at 32354, and Intel Core i7-12800H at 32121, all within 0.5%.

Users who prioritize multi-threaded performance and have workloads that scale across cores should choose the i7-12700. Users who prioritize single-core performance in Cinebench R15 and R23, or who need ECC memory support, should consider the i5-14400F. The i7-12700 offers the broader performance profile, with wins across math, encryption, compression, and multi-threaded rendering tests. The i5-14400F offers specific single-core advantages and ECC support, making it a niche choice for those particular requirements.