The Intel Core i7-14700K is the objective winner of this comparison, securing victory in nine out of sixteen measured specifications. Its most significant advantage over the Intel Core i5-12400 is its L2 cache, which is 273% larger. This substantial memory capacity provides the primary technical edge for the higher-tier processor. Conversely, the Intel Core i5-12400 maintains a 54% advantage in Max Turbo Power, representing its most notable lead in the provided data.

Users prioritizing raw cache capacity for intensive computational tasks should select the Intel Core i7-14700K to leverage its superior memory architecture. This component is better suited for demanding workloads that benefit from the increased L2 cache. Alternatively, those who prefer a processor with a lower Max Turbo Power should choose the Intel Core i5-12400. This option is the appropriate selection for users whose requirements align with the power efficiency profile of the i5-12400.