Celeron 430 vs Core i5-10400F

Intel

Celeron 430

1 Cores1 Thrd35 WWMax: 1.8 GHz2007
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020
Core family
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Celeron 430 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.

Celeron 430 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.

Celeron 430 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.

Celeron 430

2007

Why buy it

  • Costs $111 less on MSRP ($49 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
  • Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (448 vs 13,029).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.1 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($49 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Core i5-10400F

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +1477.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Delivers 790.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 9.1 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $49 MSRP).
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Celeron 430.

Trade-offs

  • 226.5% HIGHER MSRP
    $160 MSRPvs$49 MSRP
  • 85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than Celeron 430?
Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1477.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 2808.3% 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 1477.4% 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 2808.3% 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 226.5% more expensive on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $49 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1477.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 790.7% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 9.1 PassMark/$), 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 2007) 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.

Celeron 430 vs Core i5-10400F Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Celeron 430

The Celeron 430 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2007 (18 years ago). It is based on the Conroe-L (2007−2008) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 448 points. Launch price was $50.

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 Celeron 430 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 1.8 GHz on the Celeron 430 versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F — a 82% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 1.8 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Celeron 430 uses the Conroe-L (2007−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Core i5-10400F uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 430 scores 448 against the Core i5-10400F's 13,029 — a 186.7% lead for the Core i5-10400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 226 vs 1,454, a 146.2% lead for the Core i5-10400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Celeron 430 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F.

FeatureCeleron 430Core i5-10400F
Cores / Threads
1 / 1
6 / 12+500%
Boost Clock
1.8 GHz
4.3 GHz+139%
Base Clock
1.8 GHz
2.9 GHz+61%
L3 Cache
0 kB
12 MB (total)
L2 Cache
512 kB+100%
256K (per core)
Process
65 nm
14 nm-78%
Architecture
Conroe-L (2007−2008)
Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark
448
13,029+2808%
Cinebench R23 Multi
8,191
Geekbench 6 Single
226
1,454+543%
Geekbench 6 Multi
5,783
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron 430 uses the LGA775 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 DDR2-800 on the Celeron 430 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. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Celeron 430) vs 16 (Core i5-10400F) — the Core i5-10400F offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: 945,G31,G41 (Celeron 430) and H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F).

FeatureCeleron 430Core i5-10400F
Socket
LGA775
LGA1200
PCIe Generation
PCIe 1.1
PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed
DDR2-800
DDR4-2666+233%
Max RAM Capacity
4 GB
128 GB+3100%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
0
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: No (Celeron 430) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F). Primary use case: Celeron 430 targets Budget, Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Celeron 430 rivals Pentium 4 2.80; Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

FeatureCeleron 430Core 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 Celeron 430 was priced at $49, while the Core i5-10400F came in at $160. On launch pricing ($49 vs $160), Celeron 430 was $111 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron 430 delivers 9.1 pts/$ vs 81.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-10400F — making the Core i5-10400F the 159.6% better value option.

FeatureCeleron 430Core i5-10400F
MSRP
$49-69%
$160
Performance per Dollar
9.1
81.4+795%
Release Date
2007
2020

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