Intel
Intel Core i5-12400 Alder Lake 2.5GHz Six-Core LGA 1700 Boxed Processor - Intel Stock Cooler Included
Best mid-range processor for budget-conscious home and office desktop builds.
Elevate your desktop experience with the Intel Core i5-12400 processor. This 12th Gen CPU offers a robust 6-core, 12-thread configuration for seamless multitasking and demanding applications. Enjoy rapid performance with a boost clock speed of up to 4.40 GHz and 18MB of L3 cache for quicker data access. It features integrated Intel UHD Graphics 730, making it suitable for everyday visual tasks. Designed for efficiency with a 65W TDP, this processor utilizes the modern LGA 1700 socket, ensuring compatibility with contemporary motherboards.
$159.99
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Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
77
/ 450
#77 in Computer Processors
Price vs Category Average
-94%
Below average
Processor Core
6
/ Cores
Who it's for
- Budget-conscious gamers seeking high-end performance without the premium price
- Future-focused builders planning for next-generation hardware upgrades
- Casual users wanting a simple, cool-running system out of the box
Who should skip it
- Performance enthusiasts who demand quiet operation and maximum thermal headroom
- Budget builders restricted by the cost of new motherboard platforms
- Content creators needing heavy multi-threaded power for professional rendering tasks
Performance breakdown
Multitasking Capability
Six cores and twelve threads handle daily productivity and background tasks easily.
Gaming Performance
Delivers high frame rates for modern titles when paired with discrete graphics.
Thermal Efficiency
Low 65W power draw keeps temperatures manageable under standard desktop workloads.
Integrated Graphics
Basic visuals for office work, but lacks power for intensive 3D rendering.
Platform Longevity
LGA 1700 socket offers a solid foundation for future system upgrades.
Value Proposition
Includes a reliable stock cooler, saving you money on additional cooling hardware.
Key Specs
Processor Core
6 Cores
Processor Threads
12 Threads
Base Clock Speed
2.50 GHz
Boost Clock Speed
4.40 GHz
L3 Cache
18 MB
TDP
65W
Processor Socket
LGA 1700
PCIe Version Support
PCIe 4.0
Features
- 6 Performance-cores for strong multitasking
- Up to 4.40 GHz boost clock speed
- Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 730
- Efficient 65W Thermal Design Power
- 18MB of L3 Cache
- Retail boxed with stock cooler
- Supports up to 4 monitors
What customers say
Customers overwhelmingly praise the Intel Core i5 12400 as the ideal balance of performance and value. Its strong single core speed delivers smooth gaming and responsive productivity across many applications. Users appreciate its efficiency and low power draw, noting it runs relatively cool. The integrated graphics offer useful flexibility. The main recurring point is the stock cooler, which many find noisy under heavy use, often prompting an upgrade for better thermal management and quiet operation. Despite this minor cooling consideration, the processor is viewed as a reliable, excellent investment that competes strongly against pricier options, making it highly recommended for mid-range builds.
Know before you buy
Yes, this boxed processor includes an Intel stock cooler, so you do not need to purchase a separate air cooler for standard operation.
This processor supports DDR4 memory. Ensure your motherboard is also compatible with DDR4, as the LGA 1700 socket can support different memory types depending on the specific board you choose.
It features integrated Intel UHD Graphics 730, which is sufficient for basic visual tasks and light gaming. However, for modern, graphics-intensive titles, you will likely want to add a dedicated graphics card.
You will need a motherboard with an LGA 1700 socket. This socket is specifically designed for Intel's 12th, 13th, and 14th generation processors.
The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 730 supports up to four monitors simultaneously, provided your motherboard has the necessary display output ports.
With 6 cores and 12 threads, this CPU handles multitasking and productivity applications very well. While it is excellent for everyday workloads, heavy professional video editing may benefit from a higher-tier i7 or i9 processor.
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$160