Intel Core i9-11900K vs Intel Core i5-12400
The Intel Core i9-11900K is the faster chip for gaming by roughly 1%. Here is the full spec-by-spec breakdown.
| Specification | Intel Core i9-11900K | Intel Core i5-12400 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming score | 72/100 | 71/100 |
| Tier | B | B |
| Manufacturer | Intel | Intel |
| Cores | 8 | 6 |
| Threads | 16 | 12 |
| Base clock | 3.5 GHz | 2.5 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.3 GHz | 4.4 GHz |
| Power draw (TDP) | 125 W | 65 W |
| Release year | 2021 | 2022 |
Which should you buy?
For gaming specifically, the Intel Core i9-11900K is the better buy — it holds a 1% lead in our index, which shows up most at 1080p and in CPU-bound titles like strategy and simulation games. The Intel Core i9-11900K has more cores (8 vs 6), which helps if you stream, compile or render alongside playing. The Intel Core i5-12400 runs 60W cooler, meaning a cheaper cooler and less case heat. Either way, pair it with a graphics card of similar standing — check the bottleneck calculator before you buy.