The Intel Core i9-14900 is the objective winner of this comparison, securing victory in seven of the fourteen evaluated specifications. Its most significant technical advantage over the Intel Core i5-12400F is its L2 cache capacity, which is 327% larger. While the i5-12400F maintains a lead in three categories, the i9-14900 demonstrates superior hardware density and cache architecture, establishing it as the more capable component across the majority of the measured metrics.

Users prioritizing maximum cache capacity and high-end hardware specifications should select the Intel Core i9-14900 for their build. Conversely, the Intel Core i5-12400F is the better choice for buyers focused on the MSRP, where it holds a 68% advantage over the i9-14900. Choosing between these two processors depends on whether your primary requirement is the expanded cache performance of the i9-14900 or the cost-efficiency offered by the i5-12400F.