The Intel Core i7-14700 is the objective winner of this comparison, securing victory in eight of the sixteen evaluated categories. Its most significant technical advantage over the Intel Core i5-12400 is its L2 cache, which is 273% larger. While the Intel Core i5-12400 maintains a 47% advantage in Max Turbo Power, the superior cache capacity of the Intel Core i7-14700 establishes it as the more capable component across the majority of the measured specifications.

Users prioritizing raw cache capacity and overall spec density should select the Intel Core i7-14700 for their build. Conversely, the Intel Core i5-12400 is the appropriate choice for those who specifically require the efficiency profile provided by its superior Max Turbo Power rating. By weighing the cache-heavy performance of the former against the power-focused advantage of the latter, buyers can align their selection with their specific technical requirements.