Intel Core i5-12400F vs Intel Core i5-2500K

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Core i5-12400F compared with Core i5-2500K
IntelCore i5-12400FIntelCore i5-2500K
Overview
ReleasedJanuary 2022January 2011
Cores and clocks
Cores6 (better)4
Threads12 (better)4
Base clock2.5 GHz3.3 GHz
Boost clock4.4 GHz (better)3.7 GHz
L3 cache18 MB (better)6 MB
Cores6 P-cores and no E-cores; 12 threads. Intel Thread Director is not supported.Four cores without Hyper-Threading; Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 and VT-x supported; VT-d not supported.
Clocks2.5 GHz P-core base, up to 4.4 GHz P-core turbo; locked multiplier confirmed by io-tech and TechPowerUp.Maximum turbo is a single-core frequency. The multiplier is unlocked, but motherboard support and cooling determine available overclocking; the original H67 platform does not support CPU multiplier overclocking.
Cache18 MB Intel Smart Cache (L3); 7.5 MB total L2.–
Graphics and AI
Built-in graphicsNoYes
GraphicsNo integrated graphics; a separate graphics card is required (Intel F-series support).Intel HD Graphics 3000; 850 MHz base, up to 1.10 GHz; two displays; Quick Sync Video. Available display outputs and access to integrated graphics depend on the motherboard.
Platform
SocketLGA1700LGA1155
Base power65 W95 W
Maximum power117 W–
UnlockedNoYes
Cooler in the boxYes–
Memory supportUp to 128 GB; two channels; DDR5-4800 or DDR4-3200; 76.8 GB/s maximum bandwidth.Up to 32 GB; two channels; DDR3-1066/1333; 21 GB/s maximum bandwidth as published by Intel; ECC not supported.
PCIePCIe 5.0 and 4.0; 20 CPU lanes, up to 1×16+4 or 2×8+4; DMI 4.0 ×8.PCIe 2.0; up to 16 CPU lanes. Motherboard support determines available slot configurations.
ProcessIntel 7; Alder Lake; FCLGA1700, 45 × 37.5 mm package; 100°C Tjunction.32 nm; Sandy Bridge; 37.5 × 37.5 mm package; 72.6°C Tcase limit, not a junction-temperature limit.
CoolerIntel Laminar RM1 included with boxed retail processor (Intel support).LGA1155-compatible cooling required. Intel's 5 January 2011 announcement gives 9 January availability for quad-core systems; APH Networks' contemporaneous exact-model review also identifies 9 January as the processor's release date.

More comparisons