At the current stage, if you want to build a cost-effective Intel platform PC, there are two popular processor options worth considering: the Core i3-14100F and the Core i5-12400F.
Currently, the actual market prices of these two processors are very close, and many people do not know how to choose between them. Several readers have previously requested a comparison of the performance of these two processors, and today it’s here—let’s get started!
Each of these processors has its strengths. In terms of positioning, the Core i5-12400F is a tier higher than the Core i3-14100F, featuring 6 cores and 12 threads, whereas the Core i3-14100F only has 4 cores and 8 threads. Additionally, it has a larger cache. However, the Core i3-14100F boasts certain architectural and process advantages (though not significant), with the most notable being its higher operating frequency.
In this context, the single-core performance of the Core i3-14100F is 7% higher than that of the Core i5-12400F, but its multi-core performance is 25% lower. This article will compare the gaming performance of these two processors to assess the actual performance gap between them.
1. Parameter Comparison
The Core i3-14100F was released on January 8, 2024, using a 10nm process. It has only 4 performance cores, and no efficiency cores, totaling 8 threads. It features a 5MB L2 cache and a 12MB smart cache. The base clock speed is 3.5 GHz, with a maximum boost clock of 4.7 GHz. Its power consumption is 58W, and the suggested retail price is $109.
The Core i5-12400F also uses a 10nm process and has 6 performance cores, no efficiency cores, totaling 12 threads. Its base clock speed is 2.5 GHz, with a maximum boost clock of 4.4 GHz. It has a 7.5MB L2 cache and an 18MB smart cache. Its power consumption is 65W, and the suggested retail price ranges from $184.00 to $194.00.
2. Test Platform Configuration Between i3 14100F and i5 12400F
The main configuration is as follows:
Processor: Core i3-14100F/Core i5-12400F
Motherboard: ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming
Memory: 32GB DDR5 6000MHz
Graphics Card: GeForce RTX 4090
Storage: Two Samsung 970 EVO SSDs
Operating System: Windows 11
3. Game Performance Testing
The following tests seven games, all in 1080P with maximum graphics settings. In the series of images below, the left side represents the Core i5-12400F platform, and the right side represents the Core i3-14100F platform.
① The first game is “The Witcher 3.”
Core i5-12400F platform:
- Average FPS: 105
- Minimum FPS: 69
- Frame Time: 9.7ms
- CPU Usage: 57%
- Power Consumption: 43W
- Temperature: 44°C
- Memory Usage: 12.3GB
- GPU Usage: 77%
- VRAM Usage: 6.8GB
- GPU Power Consumption: 245W
- GPU Temperature: 44°C
Core i3-14100F platform:
- Average FPS: 91
- Minimum FPS: 46
- Frame Time: 10.5ms
- CPU Usage: 68%
- Power Consumption: 45W
- Temperature: 47°C
- Memory Usage: 12.9GB
- GPU Usage: 65%
- VRAM Usage: 6.8GB
- GPU Power Consumption: 225W
- GPU Temperature: 43°C
In this game, the Core i3-14100F platform’s CPU usage is 11% higher, memory usage is 0.6GB higher, and GPU usage is 12% lower, with equal VRAM usage.
The Core i3-14100F platform has 14 FPS lower average FPS, 23 FPS lower minimum FPS, and 0.8ms higher frame time. The main drawback is the 12% lower GPU usage, resulting in overall lower performance, with 2W higher power consumption and 3°C higher temperature.
② The second game is “Red Dead Redemption 2.”
Core i5-12400F platform:
- Average FPS: 131
- Minimum FPS: 106
- Frame Time: 7.2ms
- CPU Usage: 80%
- Power Consumption: 46W
- Temperature: 44°C
- Memory Usage: 12.5GB
- GPU Usage: 63%
- VRAM Usage: 5.4GB
- GPU Power Consumption: 223W
- GPU Temperature: 43°C
Core i3-14100F platform:
- Average FPS: 112
- Minimum FPS: 89
- Frame Time: 7.9ms
- CPU Usage: 87%
- Power Consumption: 47W
- Temperature: 46°C
- Memory Usage: 11.1GB
- GPU Usage: 55%
- VRAM Usage: 5.1GB
- GPU Power Consumption: 206W
- GPU Temperature: 42°C
In this game, the Core i3-14100F platform’s CPU usage is 7% higher, memory usage is 1.4GB lower, GPU usage is 8% lower, and VRAM usage is 0.3GB lower.
The Core i3-14100F platform has 19 FPS lower average FPS, 17 FPS lower minimum FPS, with nearly equal frame time, slightly lower overall performance, equal power consumption, and 2°C higher temperature.
③ The third game is “Cyberpunk 2077.”
Core i5-12400F platform:
- Average FPS: 62
- Minimum FPS: 53
- Frame Time: 13.6ms
- CPU Usage: 97%
- Power Consumption: 51W
- Temperature: 46°C
- Memory Usage: 11.1GB
- GPU Usage: 42%
- VRAM Usage: 8.5GB
- GPU Power Consumption: 163W
- GPU Temperature: 43°C
Core i3-14100F platform:
- Average FPS: 60
- Minimum FPS: 45
- Frame Time: 15.6ms
- CPU Usage: 94%
- Power Consumption: 51W
- Temperature: 48°C
- Memory Usage: 10.9GB
- GPU Usage: 35%
- VRAM Usage: 9.4GB
- GPU Power Consumption: 149W
- GPU Temperature: 40°C
In this game, the Core i3-14100F platform’s CPU usage is 3% lower, memory usage is 0.2GB lower, GPU usage is 7% lower, and VRAM usage is 0.9GB higher.
The Core i3-14100F platform has 2 FPS lower average FPS, 8 FPS lower minimum FPS, and 2ms higher frame time. The performance gap is smaller than in the previous games, nearly equal, with equal power consumption and 2°C higher temperature.
④ The fourth game is “Horizon Forbidden West.”
Core i5-12400F platform:
- Average FPS: 140
- Minimum FPS: 99
- Frame Time: 6.6ms
- CPU Usage: 78%
- Power Consumption: 50W
- Temperature: 47°C
- Memory Usage: 10.6GB
- GPU Usage: 74%
- VRAM Usage: 8.8GB
- GPU Power Consumption: 218W
- GPU Temperature: 45°C
Core i3-14100F platform:
- Average FPS: 126
- Minimum FPS: 91
- Frame Time: 7.6ms
- CPU Usage: 91%
- Power Consumption: 52W
- Temperature: 49°C
- Memory Usage: 10.3GB
- GPU Usage: 64%
- VRAM Usage: 8.6GB
- GPU Power Consumption: 201W
- GPU Temperature: 45°C
In this game, the Core i3-14100F platform’s CPU usage is 13% higher, memory usage is 0.3GB lower, GPU usage is 10% lower, and VRAM usage is 0.2GB lower.
The Core i3-14100F platform has 14 FPS lower average FPS, 8 FPS lower minimum FPS, 1ms higher frame time, 2W higher power consumption, and 2°C higher temperature.
⑤ The fifth game is “Forza Horizon 5.”
Core i5-12400F platform:
- Average FPS: 200
- Minimum FPS: 140
- Frame Time: 4.6ms
- CPU Usage: 71%
- Power Consumption: 46W
- Temperature: 45°C
- Memory Usage: 11.2GB
- GPU Usage: 79%
- VRAM Usage: 7.0GB
- GPU Power Consumption: 207W
- GPU Temperature: 46°C
Core i3-14100F platform:
- Average FPS: 186
- Minimum FPS: 114
- Frame Time: 6.5ms
- CPU Usage: 95%
- Power Consumption: 51W
- Temperature: 49°C
- Memory Usage: 11.3GB
- GPU Usage: 73%
- VRAM Usage: 7.0GB
- GPU Power Consumption: 199W
- GPU Temperature: 46°C
In this game, the Core i3-14100F platform’s CPU usage is 24% higher, memory usage is 0.1GB lower, GPU usage is 6% lower, and VRAM usage is equal.
The Core i3-14100F platform has 14 FPS lower average FPS, 26 FPS lower minimum FPS, nearly 2ms higher frame time, 5W higher power consumption, and 4°C higher temperature.
⑥ The sixth game is “Hogwarts Legacy.”
Core i5-12400F platform:
- Average FPS: 50
- Minimum FPS: 45
- Frame Time: 19.9ms
- CPU Usage: 43%
- Power Consumption: 38W
- Temperature: 42°C
- Memory Usage: 21.0GB
- GPU Usage: 40%
- VRAM Usage: 10.8GB
- GPU Power Consumption: 148W
- GPU Temperature: 41°C
Core i3-14100F platform:
- Average FPS: 48
- Minimum FPS: 43
- Frame Time: 20.8ms
- CPU Usage: 56%
- Power Consumption: 41W
- Temperature: 45°C
- Memory Usage: 20.8GB
- GPU Usage: 40%
- VRAM Usage: 10.9GB
- GPU Power Consumption: 152W
- GPU Temperature: 42°C
In this game, the Core i3-14100F platform’s CPU usage is 13% higher, memory usage is 0.2GB lower, and GPU usage and VRAM usage are nearly equal.
The Core i3-14100F platform has 2 FPS lower average FPS, 3 FPS lower minimum FPS, approximately 1ms higher frame time, 3W higher power consumption, and 3°C higher temperature, resulting in nearly equal performance.
⑦ The seventh game is “Starfield.”
Core i5-12400F platform:
- Average FPS: 102
- Minimum FPS: 51
- Frame Time: 10.0ms
- CPU Usage: 80%
- Power Consumption: 50W
- Temperature: 46°C
- Memory Usage: 13.1GB
- GPU Usage: 56%
- VRAM Usage: 6.5GB
- GPU Power Consumption: 182W
- GPU Temperature: 45°C
Core i3-14100F platform:
- Average FPS: 91
- Minimum FPS: 52
- Frame Time: 10.9ms
- CPU Usage: 88%
- Power Consumption: 50W
- Temperature: 49°C
- Memory Usage: 12.9GB
- GPU Usage: 52%
- VRAM Usage: 6.4GB
- GPU Power Consumption: 182W
- GPU Temperature: 43°C
In this game, the Core i3-14100F platform’s CPU usage is 8% higher, memory usage is 0.2GB lower, GPU usage is 4% lower, and VRAM usage is 0.1GB lower.
The Core i3-14100F platform has 11 FPS lower average FPS, 1 FPS higher minimum FPS, with negligible frame time difference, equal power consumption, and 3°C higher temperature.
4. Comparison Conclusion
Overall, the Core i5-12400F demonstrates stronger overall performance, generally achieving higher GPU performance with lower CPU usage compared to its counterpart. This results in superior performance metrics across various games, although the difference is not overwhelming.
Therefore, at this stage, if you need to choose between these two processors, the Core i5-12400F offers better value for money and is more worth purchasing.
However, this comparison is not entirely fair, as the Core i5-12400F has been on the market for a while and has seen price reductions, whereas the Core i3-14100F is a new release. When considering the launch prices of these two processors, the performance gap between the Core i3-14100F and Core i5-12400F is much smaller than the price gap, making the Core i3-14100F a respectable choice.
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