Celeron N3160 vs Core i5-10400F

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 N3160 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 N3160 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 N3160

2016

Why buy it

✅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 41 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,195 vs 13,029).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Core i5-10400F

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +500.2% higher average FPS across 41 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅300% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Celeron N3160.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $160 MSRP, while Celeron N3160 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1525% higher power demand at 65W vs 4W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron N3160 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than Celeron N3160?

Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 500.2% average FPS lead across 41 shared CPU game tests in our data, 990.3% 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 500.2% more average FPS across 41 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 990.3% 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 at an unclear MSRP at $160 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 500.2% average FPS lead across 41 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron N3160 vs Core i5-10400F Technical Specifications

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

Celeron N3160

The Celeron N3160 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Braswell (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.24 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,195 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 N3160 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-10400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-10400F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.24 GHz on the Celeron N3160 versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F — a 63% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Celeron N3160 uses the Braswell (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-10400F uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N3160 scores 1,195 against the Core i5-10400F's 13,029 — a 166.4% lead for the Core i5-10400F. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Celeron N3160 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F.

Feature	Celeron N3160	Core i5-10400F
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	2.24 GHz	4.3 GHz+92%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2.9 GHz+81%
L3 Cache	0 kB	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB	256K (per core)+12700%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Braswell (2015−2016)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	1,195	13,029+990%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	8,191
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,454
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	5,783

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron N3160 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 N3160 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 N3160) vs 16 (Core i5-10400F) — the Core i5-10400F offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: FCBGA1170 (Celeron N3160) and H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F).

Feature	Celeron N3160	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%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Celeron N3160) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F). The Celeron N3160 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 400), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Celeron N3160 rivals AMD E2-9010; Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.