The gap changes with resolution.
CPU differences shrink as resolution rises — at 4K the graphics card does most of the work.
| Resolution | i5-12400F | i7-11700K | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 77 | 76 | +1% |
| 1440p | 74 | 73 | +1% |
| 4K | 71 | 72 | -1% |
In a real build with a RTX 3080.
Specs alone don’t tell you which to buy. Here is what each one does when it’s actually paired up, at 1440p.
| Game (1440p, paired with the RTX 3080) | i5-12400F | i7-11700K |
|---|---|---|
| League of Legends | 300 fps | 298 fps |
| Counter-Strike 2 | 257 fps | 256 fps |
| Grand Theft Auto V | 129 fps | 128 fps |
| Elden Ring | 106 fps | 106 fps |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 81 fps | 80 fps |
| Starfield | 80 fps | 80 fps |
Modelled from benchmark data, not measured for every pairing. Our published error rate is 21.6% mean absolute error.
So which should you buy?
Whichever is cheaper on the day. There is roughly 1% between them at 1440p, which you will not notice in a game.
Affiliate links — we earn a small commission on Amazon purchases at no cost to you, which keeps the calculator free. Full disclosure.
Common questions.
Straight answers on the i5-12400F versus the i7-11700K.
Is the i5-12400F better than the i7-11700K?
They are close enough to call a tie. At 1440p the i5-12400F scores 74 on our index against 73 for the i7-11700K — a gap of about 1%, which is inside the margin where you would not feel a difference while gaming. Buy whichever is cheaper or easier to find.
Does the i5-12400F or i7-11700K bottleneck a RTX 3080?
Paired with a RTX 3080 at 1440p, the i5-12400F build comes out balanced, and the i7-11700K build comes out balanced. Being GPU-bound is the healthy outcome — it means the graphics card is the part working hardest.
Is it worth upgrading from the i7-11700K to the i5-12400F?
No. A 1% index gap will not be visible in games, and the money is better spent on the other side of the build — usually the GPU.
Which is better value, the i5-12400F or the i7-11700K?
On performance per dollar at MSRP, the i5-12400F wins. The i5-12400F lists at $174 for an index of 74, and the i7-11700K at $399 for 73.
Check either one against your build.
Pick a CPU and its counterpart, and get a verdict at all three resolutions in under 30 seconds.