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 G3900E 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 G3900E 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 G3900E

2016

Why buy it

✅Costs $53 less on MSRP ($107 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 510, 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 Geekbench multi-core (948 vs 5,783).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.0 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($107 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Core i5-10400F

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +266.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+500% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Delivers 328.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 19.0 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $107 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Celeron G3900E.

Trade-offs

❌
49.5% HIGHER MSRP
$160 MSRPvs$107 MSRP
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron G3900E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than Celeron G3900E?

Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 266.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 510% better Geekbench multi-core, 540.6% 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 266.0% 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 510% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 500% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 2 MB).

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 49.5% more expensive on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $107 MSRP, and it still gives you a 266.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 328.4% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 19.0 PassMark/$), 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 2016), 500% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 2 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron G3900E vs Core i5-10400F Technical Specifications

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

Celeron G3900E

The Celeron G3900E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 2,034 points. Launch price was $107.

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 Celeron G3900E packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core i5-10400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-10400F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Celeron G3900E versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F — a 56.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F. The Celeron G3900E uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-10400F uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G3900E scores 2,034 against the Core i5-10400F's 13,029 — a 146% lead for the Core i5-10400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 699 vs 1,454, a 70.1% lead for the Core i5-10400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 948 vs 5,783 (143.7% advantage for the Core i5-10400F). L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron G3900E vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F.

Feature	Celeron G3900E	Core i5-10400F
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	4.3 GHz+79%
Base Clock	—	2.9 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB	12 MB (total)+500%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	2,034	13,029+541%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	8,191
Geekbench 6 Single	699	1,454+108%
Geekbench 6 Multi	948	5,783+510%

🧠

Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Celeron G3900E versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F — the Core i5-10400F supports 25% 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 — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H110,B150,H170,Z170 (Celeron G3900E) and H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F).

Feature	Celeron G3900E	Core i5-10400F
Socket	—	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	DDR4-2666+25%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G3900E) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F). The Celeron G3900E includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 510), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G3900E targets Budget, Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Celeron G3900E rivals Pentium G4400; Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Celeron G3900E	Core i5-10400F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 510	—
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Budget	Gaming

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G3900E was priced at $107, while the Core i5-10400F came in at $160. On launch pricing ($107 vs $160), Celeron G3900E was $53 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G3900E delivers 19.0 pts/$ vs 81.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-10400F — making the Core i5-10400F the 124.3% better value option.

Feature	Celeron G3900E	Core i5-10400F
MSRP	$107-33%	$160
Performance per Dollar	19.0	81.4+328%
Release Date	2016	2020

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