Celeron N3010 vs Core i5-10400F

CPU

GPU

Celeron N3010

2 Cores2 Thrd4 WWMax: 2.24 GHz2016

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Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020

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Celeron N3010 vs Core i5-10400F Performance Spectrum

Celeron N3010

2 / 2

735

0.0%

13,029

+1672.7%

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 N3010 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 N3010 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 N3010

2016

Why buy it

✅Costs $53 less on MSRP ($107 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
✅Draws 4W instead of 65W, a 61W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 400, 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 (735 vs 13,029).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.9 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: +870.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 1085.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 6.9 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $107 MSRP).
✅300% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Celeron N3010.

Trade-offs

❌
49.5% HIGHER MSRP
$160 MSRPvs$107 MSRP
❌1525% higher power demand at 65W vs 4W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron N3010 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than Celeron N3010?

Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 870.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1672.7% 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 870.1% 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 1672.7% 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 49.5% more expensive on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $107 MSRP, and it still gives you a 870.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1085.5% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 6.9 PassMark/$), 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) 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 N3010 vs Core i5-10400F Technical Specifications

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

Celeron N3010

The Celeron N3010 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Airmont (2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.04 GHz, with boost up to 2.24 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 4 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 735 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 N3010 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 2.24 GHz on the Celeron N3010 versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F — a 63% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 1.04 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Celeron N3010 uses the Airmont (2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-10400F uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N3010 scores 735 against the Core i5-10400F's 13,029 — a 178.6% lead for the Core i5-10400F. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Celeron N3010 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F.

Feature	Celeron N3010	Core i5-10400F
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	2.24 GHz	4.3 GHz+92%
Base Clock	1.04 GHz	2.9 GHz+179%
L3 Cache	0 kB	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Airmont (2016)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	735	13,029+1673%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	8,191
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,454
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	5,783

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron N3010 uses the FCBGA1170 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-10400F uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1600 on the Celeron N3010 versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F — the Core i5-10400F supports 66.6% 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 8 GB — 1500% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 4 (Celeron N3010) vs 16 (Core i5-10400F) — the Core i5-10400F offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Braswell (Celeron N3010) and H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F).

Feature	Celeron N3010	Core i5-10400F
Socket	FCBGA1170	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	1600	DDR4-2666+67%
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	128 GB+1500%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	4	16+300%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: true (Celeron N3010) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F). The Celeron N3010 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 400), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron N3010 targets Budget Mobile, Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Celeron N3010	Core i5-10400F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 400	—
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Budget Mobile	Gaming

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron N3010 was priced at $107, while the Core i5-10400F came in at $160. On launch pricing ($107 vs $160), Celeron N3010 was $53 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron N3010 delivers 6.9 pts/$ vs 81.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-10400F — making the Core i5-10400F the 168.9% better value option.

Feature	Celeron N3010	Core i5-10400F
MSRP	$107-33%	$160
Performance per Dollar	6.9	81.4+1080%
Release Date	2016	2020

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