The Intel Core i7-14700 is the objective winner of this comparison, securing victory across eight measured specifications compared to three for the Intel Core i5-12400F. The most significant technical advantage belongs to the i7-14700, which features an L2 cache that is 273% larger than that of its counterpart. While the i5-12400F holds a 48% advantage in MSRP, the i7-14700 demonstrates superior hardware capacity across the majority of the evaluated categories.

Users prioritizing maximum hardware specifications and the substantial L2 cache advantage should select the Intel Core i7-14700 for their build. Conversely, the Intel Core i5-12400F is the appropriate choice for budget-conscious buyers who value the 48% MSRP advantage over the higher-tier performance metrics. Choosing between these processors depends entirely on whether your primary requirement is the expanded cache capacity of the i7-14700 or the cost-efficiency offered by the i5-12400F.