Athlon XP 1800+ vs Core i5-10400F

AMD

Athlon XP 1800+

1 Cores1 Thrd66 WWMax: 1.53 GHz2001
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 XP 1800+ 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 XP 1800+ 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 XP 1800+ 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 XP 1800+

2001

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • Lower Geekbench multi-core (651 vs 5,783).
    • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 0.9 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($252 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).

    Core i5-10400F

    2020

    Why buy it

    • Better for gaming: +2781.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • Costs $92 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $252 MSRP).
    • Delivers 9020.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 0.9 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $252 MSRP).
    • Draws 65W instead of 66W, a 1W reduction.
    • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

    Trade-offs

    • Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Core i5-10400F better than Athlon XP 1800+?
    Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2781.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 788.3% better Geekbench multi-core, 5690.7% higher 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 2781.3% 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 788.3% better Geekbench multi-core, 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 $92 cheaper on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $252 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2781.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 9020.3% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 0.9 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
    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 2001) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 1/1. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

    Athlon XP 1800+ vs Core i5-10400F Technical Specifications

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

    AMD

    Athlon XP 1800+

    The Athlon XP 1800+ is manufactured by AMD. It was released in Janeiro 2001 (24 years ago). It is based on the Thoroughbred (2001−2002) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 1.53 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 256 kB. Built on 180 nm process technology. Socket: A. Thermal design power (TDP): 66 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 225 points. Launch price was $59.

    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 XP 1800+ packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Core i5-10400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-10400F has 5 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.53 GHz on the Athlon XP 1800+ versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F — a 95% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F. The Athlon XP 1800+ uses the Thoroughbred (2001−2002) architecture (180 nm), while the Core i5-10400F uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon XP 1800+ scores 225 against the Core i5-10400F's 13,029 — a 193.2% lead for the Core i5-10400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 180 vs 1,454, a 155.9% lead for the Core i5-10400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 651 vs 5,783 (159.5% advantage for the Core i5-10400F). L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon XP 1800+ vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F.

    FeatureAthlon XP 1800+Core i5-10400F
    Cores / Threads
    1 / 1
    6 / 12+500%
    Boost Clock
    1.53 GHz
    4.3 GHz+181%
    Base Clock
    2.9 GHz
    L3 Cache
    0 kB
    12 MB (total)
    L2 Cache
    256 kB
    256K (per core)
    Process
    180 nm
    14 nm-92%
    Architecture
    Thoroughbred (2001−2002)
    Comet Lake (2020−2025)
    PassMark
    225
    13,029+5691%
    Cinebench R23 Multi
    8,191
    Geekbench 6 Single
    180
    1,454+708%
    Geekbench 6 Multi
    651
    5,783+788%
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Athlon XP 1800+ uses the A socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i5-10400F uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR1 on the Athlon XP 1800+ versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F — the Core i5-10400F supports 266500% 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 2 GB 6300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Athlon XP 1800+) vs 2 (Core i5-10400F). Chipset compatibility: KT133,KT266,nForce2 (Athlon XP 1800+) and H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F).

    FeatureAthlon XP 1800+Core i5-10400F
    Socket
    A
    LGA1200
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 1.1
    PCIe 3.0+173%
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR1
    DDR4-2666+266500%
    Max RAM Capacity
    2 GB
    128 GB+6300%
    RAM Channels
    1
    2+100%
    ECC Support
    No
    No
    PCIe Lanes
    16
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: No (Athlon XP 1800+) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F). Primary use case: Athlon XP 1800+ targets Budget, Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Athlon XP 1800+ rivals Pentium D 830; Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

    FeatureAthlon XP 1800+Core i5-10400F
    Integrated GPU
    No
    No
    Unlocked
    No
    No
    AVX-512
    No
    No
    Virtualization
    No
    VT-x, VT-d
    Target Use
    Budget
    Gaming
    💰

    Value Analysis

    At launch, the Athlon XP 1800+ was priced at $252, while the Core i5-10400F came in at $160. On launch pricing ($252 vs $160), Core i5-10400F was $92 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon XP 1800+ delivers 0.9 pts/$ vs 81.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-10400F — making the Core i5-10400F the 195.7% better value option.

    FeatureAthlon XP 1800+Core i5-10400F
    MSRP
    $252
    $160-37%
    Performance per Dollar
    0.9
    81.4+8944%
    Release Date
    2001
    2020

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