CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-11500 vs Core i5-12400
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-11500 is the mainstream sweet spot of Intel's 11th Gen desktop stack. Featuring 6 cores and 12 threads with a 2.7 GHz base and a 4.6 GHz boost, it strikes an excellent balance between price and performance.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Highly capable for office work, programming, and everyday multi-tasking.
Snappy and reliable for all standard desktop applications.
Gaming
Strong gaming performance with a discrete GPU, comparable to more expensive non-K i7s of the prior generation.
Fantastic gaming performance that punches well above its weight class.
Virtualization
Sufficient for development VMs and basic sandboxing.
Very capable for homelab and development VMs.
Efficiency
14nm limits efficiency under full load, but idle and light load power draw is acceptable.
Highly efficient 65W design with minimal heat output.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI acceleration
- Quick Sync can assist in specific video AI workloads
- No dedicated AI hardware
- Standard CPU inference
Content Creation
Gaming
- High boost clocks ensure strong frame rates
- iGPU allows troubleshooting without a discrete card
- Competes closely with the 11600 in most games
- Does not bottleneck current mid-range GPUs
- Strong single-core speeds
- Consistent frame times due to pure P-cores
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Includes UHD 750 integrated graphics
- Strong single-threaded performance
- Supports Quick Sync Video
- PCIe 4.0 ready
- Good out-of-the-box cooler included
Cons
- Locked multiplier
- Higher power draw than AMD equivalents under load
- Only 6 cores for multi-threaded tasks
- LGA 1200 platform is end-of-life
- iGPU not powerful enough for modern gaming
Pros
- Outstanding price-to-performance
- Pure 6 P-core design
- Runs cool and quiet
- DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 support
- Includes Laminar RM1 cooler
Cons
- Locked multiplier
- UHD 730 graphics are basic
- Only 16 PCIe 5.0 lanes
- No E-cores for background tasks
- 117W PL2 requires decent motherboard VRM
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-11500
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600XRival
Mainstream Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600GRival
APU Desktop
- Intel Core i5-11400Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-10400Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 7 3700XRival
Mainstream Desktop
Cheaper if you already have a discrete graphics card.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600Alt
Better multi-core performance and efficiency.
- Intel Core i5-12400Alt
Newer generation with better IPC and efficiency.
More cores for heavy multi-tasking.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 7600Alt
Newer AM5 platform with DDR5 support.
Core i5-12400
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600Rival
Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600XRival
Desktop
- Intel Core i5-12400FRival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-13400Rival
Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600Rival
Desktop
More hybrid cores for better multi-threading.
Compare head-to-headMuch cheaper for pure budget gaming.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A well-rounded processor that offers strong CPU performance and useful integrated graphics, making it perfect for versatile budget builds.
Best for: Building a versatile family PC or budget gaming rig with GPU fallback
Read the full reviewAn outstanding value CPU that delivers excellent gaming and productivity performance without breaking the bank.
Best for: Building a budget or mid-range gaming PC where value is the top priority.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-11500 or Core i5-12400?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Core i5-12400 comes out ahead with a score of 9/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-11500 or Core i5-12400?
For gaming, the Core i5-12400 leads with a gaming performance score of 90/100 among Intel Core i5-11500 and Core i5-12400.
Do Intel Core i5-11500 and Core i5-12400 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-11500: Intel Socket 1200, Core i5-12400: LGA 1700), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Core i5-12400 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-11500 (9,800), Core i5-12400 (16,500). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.