As you probably know the Intel Core i5 12400F is at present, one of the most affordable gaming processors that you can buy in 2023. series. It is one of the popular CPUs from the Intel Core 12th Generation Line-up. But, the 12400F doesn’t come with any integrated graphics. So, in order to play games or even get any video output, you will have to buy a discrete graphics card. This is what I am going to help you with in this article.
12400F comes with 6 cores and 12 threads. The max turbo frequency is 4.40 GHz. So, we can say that it is a pretty capable CPU when it comes to playing games. But, it can be tough to pick the right graphics card for 12400F.
But, I have made everything pretty easy for you. I have calculated the bottlenecks and picked the 5 best GPUs for the Intel Core i5 12400F CPU here in this article. Now, without any further delays, let’s get started.
I have discussed some reference graphics cards from both AMD and NVIDIA. So, you can always choose your desired manufacturer when buying a card for you.
1. MSI Gaming Geforce RTX 3050
Finally, the MSRP for RTX 3050 has been restored to all its glory. To kick things off, this might be a bit more expensive option than the GTX 1660 Super, but it is still a good deal. For starters, the RTX 3050 is a better option as it has the most recent Ampere architecture, which allows it to do Ray Tracing in high-end games. It is definitely one of the best graphics cards for the Intel i5 12400F.
Furthermore, the RTX 3050 has 8GB GDDR6 memory and 2560 Cuda Cores. This allows it to run faster graphics operations and maximize most graphic settings at 1080p. If you can afford it at the MSRP, this is probably the most reliable 1080p gaming card available at this very moment.
You can achieve 60+ fps with the i5 12400F/RTX 3050 combo in nearly every game you can think of on high settings! With that said, there are some exceptions here and there to this rule, so you may need to adjust some settings.
According to my test suite, The RTX3050 averaged 98 fps at locations that don’t stress the 8GB VRAM. Also, it was 26% faster than AMD’s RX6500 XT, 69% quicker than the GTX 1650 6GB, and 56% faster than the GTX 1060 6GB. To my great surprise, it also beats the GTX 1660 SUPER by 6%. Well, need I say more?
2. MSI Gaming Geforce RTX 3060
Despite having a minimal volume on the market, the RTX 3060 outperforms its predecessor, the RTX2060, in every aspect. The RTX 3060 has 84% more Cuda Cores, which is faster. Furthermore, it has got double the VRAM, i.e. 12GB. This allows you to max out all graphics settings in your game. So, it is the second number as the best GPU for Intel 12400F CPU.
Now, It is easier to use RTX ON with the Ampere architecture. However, the RTX 3060 is not the best choice for Ray Tracing, so I don’t recommend it for ultra-high settings. With that said, using medium Ray Tracing and DLSS, you can achieve decent fps at 1080p resolution.
All in all, you can expect your system to play most games at ultra settings at 1440p resolution without Ray Tracing. With this graphics card as well, you can easily achieve up to 60 FPS on any on high-settings. Even on Ultra settings, you can reach 60 FPS.
I think that this is enough for most gamers’ needs. Also, it’s an excellent budget-friendly product for mainstream gamers if the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB can come close to its $329 price. With that said, it’s unlikely to sell for less than $329 in today’s market. Now, to put it into perspective, its performance is right between the RTX2060 Super and the 2070 Super.
3. AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT
I believe that the Radeon RX6600 XT can be an ideal choice for the 12400F, considering all of the options available on the Red Team at this price range. It runs faster than the RTX 3060, and it can take some games at significantly higher fps. It is also considerably more affordable than the RTX 3060 at this time.
The RX 6600 XT is available for around $450-$500, which is less compared to other options. This saves you a lot of money and can be used to buy additional peripherals for your computer.
Comping to its specs and architecture, The RDNA 2 architecture is used to build this chip. It also features 2048 stream processors. Though the memory is less than that of the RTX 3060 (8GB), it will still be able to display a 1440p resolution. It can also do Ray Tracing in games, but not as well as the RTX 3060. With all that aside, The AMD Radeon RX6600 XT is a 1080p powerhouse that can power all the latest games at maximum settings.
4. AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT
Radeon RX6700 XT is the best $500 GPU that money can buy you currently. It is the most affordable GPU at this price, with significant price drops over the last few months. Nvidia intended to surpass it with its RTX3070/3070T GPU, but these cards are at least $200 less expensive. While they have their advantages, which I will discuss later, RX 6700 XT is a pretty good AMD GPU for the i5 12400F.
According to my test suite, Ray Tracing is the only “not so good” feature here. This technology is not available in every game. It is capable of Real-Time Ray Tracing, but it is slower than the Green Team competitors. With that out of the way, it can compete with them in most other areas at 1440p resolution, and it can deliver over 60 frames per second on ultra settings. This card is decent and will last for a few years at 1440p resolution. It can also be used for 1080p gaming later on.
Furthermore, it runs on RDNA 2 architecture and has 2560 Stream processors. The memory size is good with 12GB GDDR6 RAM and a clock frequency that easily exceeds 2.5GHz. This card can take advantage of FSR and RSR technologies in most games. Lastly, you can also increase settings without losing fps.
5. NVIDIA Geforce RTX 3070 Ti
Right off the bat, the RTX3070 Ti is insanely fast and can run many games, even at 4K resolution. With this by your side, your gaming system is sure to last at least four years with no signs of hiccups or slowing down. Also, this is the perfect fit for Ray Tracing. It will give you the best visuals and high performance. This one is perfect if you have a little higher budget and you want a pretty powerful graphics card for 12400F.
Furthermore, it includes 6144 Cuda cores and 8GB of GDDR6X RAM. With that said, the card’s low VRAM is a concern at 4K resolution, but it works perfectly fine at 1440p. Please note that the RTX 3070 Ti is potent and requires a lot of power. It has a TDP (total draw per unit) of 290W. In case you’re for space upgrades, you will need a good PSU with a minimum of 650W.
This is my easy recommendation for the i5 12400F. You can also opt for the RX 6700 XT, which is less expensive, but Ray Tracing is more complicated than that.
Wrapping up
To sum things up, the best CPU/GPU combination does not cause any bottlenecking or slowdowns on either the GPU or CPU. It also saves as much money as possible without sacrificing performance. With that said, you may have noticed that Nvidia’s GeForce lines have been rebranded from GTX and RTX if you’ve been following their graphics cards for a while.
With all my years of testing and owning graphic cards, the ray-tracing performance is what I can say has dramatically improved since the RTX 30 series (Ampere) in late 2020. Now, all that is left is for you to pick the GPU that is perfect for your budget and needs. I hope my list aids you in making the most informed choice!
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I am Anshul Rana, an experienced author specializing in PC gear reviews and Windows 10 software tutorials. With a strong passion for technology and an in-depth understanding of the PC industry, I provide insightful and detailed analyses of computer peripherals, gaming gear, and software solutions. My writing style is concise yet informative, making complex topics accessible to both beginners and advanced users. Through my reviews and tutorials, I aim to offer valuable guidance, helping readers make informed decisions to enhance their PC experience and explore the vast possibilities of Windows 10 software.
