Athlon X4 850 vs Core i5-10400F
Athlon X4 850
Core i5-10400F
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. The Athlon X4 850 is positioned at rank #539 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Athlon X4 850
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-10400F
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon X4 850 | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($20) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($102) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Godaveri (2014−2016) / 28 nm) | ✨ Modern (Comet Lake (2020−2025) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon X4 850 | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+8%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($20) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($102) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Athlon X4 850 and Core i5-10400F
Athlon X4 850
The Athlon X4 850 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Godaveri (2014−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 2,756 points. Launch price was $149.
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 X4 850 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 3.9 GHz on the Athlon X4 850 versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F — a 9.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Athlon X4 850 uses the Godaveri (2014−2016) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i5-10400F uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X4 850 scores 2,756 against the Core i5-10400F's 13,029 — a 130.2% lead for the Core i5-10400F.
| Feature | Athlon X4 850 | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 6 / 12+50% |
| Boost Clock | 3.9 GHz | 4.3 GHz+10% |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz+10% | 2.9 GHz |
| L3 Cache | — | 12 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB+1500% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 28 nm | 14 nm-50% |
| Architecture | Godaveri (2014−2016) | Comet Lake (2020−2025) |
| PassMark | 2,756 | 13,029+373% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 8,191 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,454 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 5,783 |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon X4 850 uses the FM2+ 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 DDR3-2133 on the Athlon X4 850 versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F — the Core i5-10400F supports 28.6% 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 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: AMD FM2+ (Athlon X4 850) and H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F).
| Feature | Athlon X4 850 | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FM2+ | LGA1200 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-2133 | DDR4-2666+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | 128 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Only the Athlon X4 850 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon X4 850) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F). Primary use case: Athlon X4 850 targets Desktop, Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.
| Feature | Athlon X4 850 | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Desktop | Gaming |
Value Analysis
The Athlon X4 850 launched at $77 MSRP, while the Core i5-10400F debuted at $160. At current prices ($20 vs $102), the Athlon X4 850 is $82 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X4 850 delivers 137.8 pts/$ vs 127.7 pts/$ for the Core i5-10400F — making the Athlon X4 850 the 7.6% better value option.
| Feature | Athlon X4 850 | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $77-52% | $160 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $20-80% | $102 |
| Performance per Dollar | 137.8+8% | 127.7 |
| Release Date | 2015 | 2020 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Athlon X4 850 and Core i5-10400F
