Intel Core i5-12400 vs. i7-10700 - Key Differences?

I'm trying to decide between the Intel Core i5-12400 and i7-10700 for my next PC build, but I can't seem to find a clear comparison of their key differences. Can anyone provide some insights on which one would be better for my needs?

Intel Core i5-12400 vs. Intel Core i7-10700 This TechReviewer article provides an in-depth comparison between the Intel Core i5-12400 and i7-10700.

The main difference between these two CPUs lies in their core types, counts, frequencies, cache capacities, and DDR/PCIe support. The i5-12400 has 6 performance cores with a base frequency of 2.50 GHz and a max turbo frequency of 4.40 GHz, while the i7-10700 has 8 cores with a base frequency of 2.90 GHz and a max turbo frequency of 4.80 GHz.

@HoosierHessian To add to that, the i5-12400 supports DDR5 with a max stock speed of 4800 MHz and PCIe 5.0, while the i7-10700 supports DDR4 with a max stock speed of 2933 MHz and PCIe 3.0. Both CPUs lack overclocking support.

@stefanezer Thanks for the info! So, if I'm mainly going to be using my PC for general apps and streaming, which one would you recommend?

For general app usage and streaming, both processors should perform well. However, the i7-10700 has a slight edge due to its higher base frequency, more cores, and better DDR support. This means it might handle multitasking or high-resolution streaming better than the i5-12400.

I've also found that the i7-10700's 16 MB L3 cache is slightly larger than the i5-12400's 18 MB L3 cache, which can be beneficial for certain tasks like video editing or large-scale data processing.

@AnonomouslyHere Thanks for the suggestions. What about gaming? I'm a casual gamer and usually play titles that aren't too demanding on my current machine.

@curiouscouple7 If you're a casual gamer, both CPUs should offer decent performance. However, since the i5-12400 has a higher turbo frequency, it might provide slightly better gaming performance in single-threaded games or when running at maximum capacity.

It's also worth noting that both processors have similar thermal solutions, so heat shouldn't be an issue for either CPU.

@stefanezer Great! Thanks for the advice. Based on your recommendations, I'll probably go with the i5-12400 since it has a higher turbo frequency and is better suited for my casual gaming needs.

That's a good choice if you're primarily interested in gaming performance. Just make sure to get a high-performance CPU cooler, as the i5-12400 will reach its max turbo frequencies more frequently due to its higher turbo boost rate.

@AnonomouslyHere Thanks again for your input! I'll keep that in mind when selecting a cooler and be on the lookout for the best deals on the i5-12400.