Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE vs Core i5-10400F

AMD

Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2020
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020
Core family
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Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE vs Core i5-10400F Performance Spectrum

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.

Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE 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.

Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE 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.

Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE

2020

Why buy it

  • Costs $52 less on MSRP ($108 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
  • Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with AMD Radeon Vega 3, 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 (4,633 vs 13,029).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 12 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 42.9 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($108 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Core i5-10400F

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +108.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +200% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 4 MB).
  • Delivers 89.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 42.9 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $108 MSRP).
  • 100% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE.

Trade-offs

  • 48.1% HIGHER MSRP
    $160 MSRPvs$108 MSRP
  • 85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE?
Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 108.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 181.2% 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 108.9% 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 181.2% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 4 MB).
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 48.1% more expensive on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $108 MSRP, and it still gives you a 108.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 89.8% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 42.9 PassMark/$), 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, Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.
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 200% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 4 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE vs Core i5-10400F Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE

The Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Picasso (2019−2022) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 4,633 points. Launch price was $149.

Intel

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.

Processing Power

The Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-10400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-10400F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F — a 23.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE uses the Picasso (2019−2022) architecture (12 nm), while the Core i5-10400F uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE scores 4,633 against the Core i5-10400F's 13,029 — a 95.1% lead for the Core i5-10400F. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F.

FeatureAthlon Silver PRO 3125GECore i5-10400F
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock
3.4 GHz
4.3 GHz+26%
Base Clock
3.4 GHz+17%
2.9 GHz
L3 Cache
4 MB (total)
12 MB (total)+200%
L2 Cache
512 kB (per core)+100%
256K (per core)
Process
12 nm-14%
14 nm
Architecture
Picasso (2019−2022)
Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark
4,633
13,029+181%
Cinebench R23 Multi
8,191
Geekbench 6 Single
1,454
Geekbench 6 Multi
5,783
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE 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 DDR4-2667 on the Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F — the Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE supports 0% 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 (Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE) vs 16 (Core i5-10400F) — the Core i5-10400F offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD AM4 (Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE) and H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F).

FeatureAthlon Silver PRO 3125GECore i5-10400F
Socket
AM4
LGA1200
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2667
DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
128 GB+100%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
Yes
No
PCIe Lanes
8
16+100%
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F). The Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE includes integrated graphics (AMD Radeon Vega 3), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

FeatureAthlon Silver PRO 3125GECore i5-10400F
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
AMD Radeon Vega 3
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Gaming
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Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE was priced at $108, while the Core i5-10400F came in at $160. On launch pricing ($108 vs $160), Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE was $52 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE delivers 42.9 pts/$ vs 81.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-10400F — making the Core i5-10400F the 62% better value option.

FeatureAthlon Silver PRO 3125GECore i5-10400F
MSRP
$108-33%
$160
Performance per Dollar
42.9
81.4+90%
Release Date
2020
2020

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