Celeron G5900 vs Core i5-10400F

Intel

Celeron G5900

2 Cores2 Thrd58 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2020
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 G5900 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 G5900 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 G5900 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 G5900

2020

Why buy it

  • Costs $110 less on MSRP ($50 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 610, while Core i5-10400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 38 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,600 vs 5,783).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 12 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 53.6 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($50 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Core i5-10400F

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +199.2% higher average FPS across 38 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +500% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 2 MB).
  • Delivers 51.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 53.6 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $50 MSRP).
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Celeron G5900.

Trade-offs

  • 220% HIGHER MSRP
    $160 MSRPvs$50 MSRP
  • No integrated graphics, while Celeron G5900 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than Celeron G5900?
Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 199.2% average FPS lead across 38 shared CPU game tests in our data, 261.4% better Geekbench multi-core, 385.8% 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 199.2% more average FPS across 38 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 261.4% 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 220.0% more expensive on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $50 MSRP, and it still gives you a 199.2% average FPS lead across 38 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 51.8% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 53.6 PassMark/$), 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 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 G5900 vs Core i5-10400F Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Celeron G5900

The Celeron G5900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 58 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 2,682 points. Launch price was $69.

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 G5900 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 3.4 GHz on the Celeron G5900 versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F — a 23.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). Both are built on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Celeron G5900 scores 2,682 against the Core i5-10400F's 13,029 — a 131.7% lead for the Core i5-10400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 850 vs 1,454, a 52.4% lead for the Core i5-10400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,600 vs 5,783 (113.3% advantage for the Core i5-10400F). L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron G5900 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F.

FeatureCeleron G5900Core i5-10400F
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock
3.4 GHz
4.3 GHz+26%
Base Clock
3.4 GHz+17%
2.9 GHz
L3 Cache
2 MB (total)
12 MB (total)+500%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
256K (per core)
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Comet Lake (2020−2025)
Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark
2,682
13,029+386%
Cinebench R23 Multi
8,191
Geekbench 6 Single
850
1,454+71%
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,600
5,783+261%
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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1200 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Celeron G5900) and H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F).

FeatureCeleron G5900Core i5-10400F
Socket
LGA1200
LGA1200
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
Yes
No
PCIe Lanes
16
16
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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G5900) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F). The Celeron G5900 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 610), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G5900 targets Budget, Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Celeron G5900 rivals Pentium Gold G6400; Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

FeatureCeleron G5900Core i5-10400F
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 610
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Budget
Gaming
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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G5900 was priced at $50, while the Core i5-10400F came in at $160. On launch pricing ($50 vs $160), Celeron G5900 was $110 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G5900 delivers 53.6 pts/$ vs 81.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-10400F — making the Core i5-10400F the 41.2% better value option.

FeatureCeleron G5900Core i5-10400F
MSRP
$50-69%
$160
Performance per Dollar
53.6
81.4+52%
Release Date
2020
2020

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