Atom D525 vs Core i5-10400F

CPU

GPU

Atom D525

2 Cores4 Thrd13 WWMax: 1.83 GHz2010

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Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020

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Atom D525 vs Core i5-10400F Performance Spectrum

Atom D525

2 / 4

1,707

0.0%

13,029

+663.3%

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.

Atom D525 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 D525 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 D525

2010

Why buy it

✅Costs $97 less on MSRP ($63 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
✅Draws 13W instead of 65W, a 52W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel GMA 3150, 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 (1,707 vs 13,029).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 27.1 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($63 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Core i5-10400F

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +322.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 200.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 27.1 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $63 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Atom D525.

Trade-offs

❌
154% HIGHER MSRP
$160 MSRPvs$63 MSRP
❌400% higher power demand at 65W vs 13W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Atom D525 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than Atom D525?

Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 322.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 663.3% 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 322.1% 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 663.3% 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 154.0% more expensive on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $63 MSRP, and it still gives you a 322.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 200.5% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 27.1 PassMark/$), 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 2010) 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 D525 vs Core i5-10400F Technical Specifications

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

Atom D525

The Atom D525 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 June 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Pinetrail (2009−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 1.83 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA559. Thermal design power (TDP): 13 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,707 points. Launch price was $63.

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 D525 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 1.83 GHz on the Atom D525 versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F — a 80.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 1.8 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Atom D525 uses the Pinetrail (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-10400F uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Atom D525 scores 1,707 against the Core i5-10400F's 13,029 — a 153.7% lead for the Core i5-10400F. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom D525 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F.

Feature	Atom D525	Core i5-10400F
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	1.83 GHz	4.3 GHz+135%
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	2.9 GHz+61%
L3 Cache	0 kB	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+100%	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Pinetrail (2009−2011)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	1,707	13,029+663%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	8,191
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,454
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	5,783

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Atom D525 uses the FCBGA559 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 DDR3-800 on the Atom D525 versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F — the Core i5-10400F supports 233.3% 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 D525) vs 2 (Core i5-10400F). PCIe lanes: 0 (Atom D525) vs 16 (Core i5-10400F) — the Core i5-10400F offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel NM10 (Atom D525) and H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F).

Feature	Atom D525	Core i5-10400F
Socket	FCBGA559	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-800	DDR4-2666+233%
Max RAM Capacity	4 GB	128 GB+3100%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom D525) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F). The Atom D525 includes integrated graphics (Intel GMA 3150), 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.

Feature	Atom D525	Core i5-10400F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel GMA 3150	—
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Gaming

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Atom D525 was priced at $63, while the Core i5-10400F came in at $160. On launch pricing ($63 vs $160), Atom D525 was $97 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Atom D525 delivers 27.1 pts/$ vs 81.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-10400F — making the Core i5-10400F the 100.1% better value option.

Feature	Atom D525	Core i5-10400F
MSRP	$63-61%	$160
Performance per Dollar	27.1	81.4+200%
Release Date	2010	2020

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