A12-9800E vs Core i5-10400F

CPU

GPU

A12-9800E

4 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2017

Similar parts

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Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020

Core family

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A12-9800E vs Core i5-10400F Performance Spectrum

A12-9800E

4 / 4

3,416

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-10400F

6 / 12

13,029

+281.4%

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

A12-9800E vs Core i5-10400F FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

A12-9800E vs Core i5-10400F: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

A12-9800E

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon R7, while Core i5-10400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,416 vs 13,029).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.0 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($426 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).

Core i5-10400F

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +140.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $266 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $426 MSRP).
✅Delivers 915.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 8.0 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $426 MSRP).
✅100% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while A12-9800E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than A12-9800E?

Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 140.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 281.4% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-10400F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 140.3% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-10400F is the stronger fit. You are getting 281.4% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-10400F is the better buy right now. Core i5-10400F comes in $266 cheaper on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $426 MSRP, and it still gives you a 140.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 915.5% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 8.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, A12-9800E can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap, but on MSRP alone you would want to find it meaningfully cheaper in real-world listings before that path becomes easy to justify.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-10400F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2017) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A12-9800E vs Core i5-10400F Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

A12-9800E

The A12-9800E is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 27 July 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,416 points. Launch price was $105.

Core i5-10400F

The Core i5-10400F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,029 points. Launch price was $155.

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Processing Power

The A12-9800E packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-10400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-10400F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the A12-9800E versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F — a 12.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The A12-9800E uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i5-10400F uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A12-9800E scores 3,416 against the Core i5-10400F's 13,029 — a 116.9% lead for the Core i5-10400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 651 vs 1,454, a 76.3% lead for the Core i5-10400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A12-9800E vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F.

Feature	A12-9800E	Core i5-10400F
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.3 GHz+13%
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+7%	2.9 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2048 kB+700%	256K (per core)
Process	28 nm	14 nm-50%
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	3,416	13,029+281%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	8,191
Geekbench 6 Single	651	1,454+123%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	5,783

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Memory & Platform

The A12-9800E uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-10400F uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the A12-9800E versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F — the Core i5-10400F supports 11.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-10400F supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (A12-9800E) vs 16 (Core i5-10400F) — the Core i5-10400F offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A320,B350,X370 (A12-9800E) and H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F).

Feature	A12-9800E	Core i5-10400F
Socket	AM4	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	DDR4-2666+11%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	8	16+100%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A12-9800E) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F). The A12-9800E includes integrated graphics (Radeon R7), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A12-9800E targets Low Power, Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: A12-9800E rivals Pentium G4600T; Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	A12-9800E	Core i5-10400F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Radeon R7	—
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Low Power	Gaming

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Value Analysis

At launch, the A12-9800E was priced at $426, while the Core i5-10400F came in at $160. On launch pricing ($426 vs $160), Core i5-10400F was $266 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the A12-9800E delivers 8.0 pts/$ vs 81.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-10400F — making the Core i5-10400F the 164.1% better value option.

Feature	A12-9800E	Core i5-10400F
MSRP	$426	$160-62%
Performance per Dollar	8.0	81.4+918%
Release Date	2017	2020

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