The Intel Core i9-14900 is the objective winner of this comparison, securing victory across seven distinct specifications compared to three for the Intel Core i5-12400. While the i5-12400 maintains a significant lead in MSRP, which is 65% better than its counterpart, the i9-14900 provides a substantial technical advantage in memory architecture. Specifically, the i9-14900 offers a 327% larger L2 cache, representing the most impactful performance-related difference between these two processors.

Users prioritizing budget efficiency should select the Intel Core i5-12400, as its primary advantage is a much lower MSRP. Conversely, those who require maximum technical capacity for their computing tasks should choose the Intel Core i9-14900. By opting for the i9-14900, users gain access to the significantly larger L2 cache, which serves as the defining hardware benefit for this higher-tier component over the more affordable alternative.