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.

Atom 330 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.

Atom 330 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.

Atom 330

2008

Why buy it

✅Costs $117 less on MSRP ($43 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
✅Draws 8W instead of 65W, a 57W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,530 vs 13,029).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 35.6 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($43 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Core i5-10400F

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +375.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 128.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 35.6 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $43 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Atom 330.

Trade-offs

❌
272.1% HIGHER MSRP
$160 MSRPvs$43 MSRP
❌712.5% higher power demand at 65W vs 8W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than Atom 330?

Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 375.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 751.6% 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 375.7% 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 751.6% 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 272.1% more expensive on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $43 MSRP, and it still gives you a 375.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 128.9% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 35.6 PassMark/$), 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 2008) 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.

Atom 330 vs Core i5-10400F Technical Specifications

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

Atom 330

The Atom 330 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Diamondville (2008−2009) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 0.1 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PBGA437. Thermal design power (TDP): 8 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,530 points. Launch price was $43.

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 Atom 330 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 0.1 GHz on the Atom 330 versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F — a 190.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Atom 330 uses the Diamondville (2008−2009) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-10400F uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Atom 330 scores 1,530 against the Core i5-10400F's 13,029 — a 158% lead for the Core i5-10400F. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom 330 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F.

Feature	Atom 330	Core i5-10400F
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	0.1 GHz	4.3 GHz+4200%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2.9 GHz+81%
L3 Cache	0 kB	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Diamondville (2008−2009)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	1,530	13,029+752%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	8,191
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,454
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	5,783

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Memory & Platform

The Atom 330 uses the PBGA437 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-10400F uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-533 on the Atom 330 versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F — the Core i5-10400F supports 400.2% 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 4 GB — 3100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Atom 330) vs 2 (Core i5-10400F). PCIe lanes: 0 (Atom 330) vs 16 (Core i5-10400F) — the Core i5-10400F offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel BGA437 (Atom 330) and H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F).

Feature	Atom 330	Core i5-10400F
Socket	PBGA437	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR2-533	DDR4-2666+400%
Max RAM Capacity	4 GB	128 GB+3100%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom 330) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Atom 330	Core i5-10400F
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Gaming

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Atom 330 was priced at $43, while the Core i5-10400F came in at $160. On launch pricing ($43 vs $160), Atom 330 was $117 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Atom 330 delivers 35.6 pts/$ vs 81.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-10400F — making the Core i5-10400F the 78.4% better value option.

Feature	Atom 330	Core i5-10400F
MSRP	$43-73%	$160
Performance per Dollar	35.6	81.4+129%
Release Date	2008	2020

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