Celeron U3400 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 U3400 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 U3400 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 U3400

2010

Why buy it

✅Costs $74 less on MSRP ($86 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
✅Draws 18W instead of 65W, a 47W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (575 vs 13,029).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.7 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Core i5-10400F

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +1161.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+500% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Delivers 1117.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 6.7 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Celeron U3400.

Trade-offs

❌
86% HIGHER MSRP
$160 MSRPvs$86 MSRP
❌261.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 18W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than Celeron U3400?

Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1161.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 2165.9% 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 1161.9% 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 2165.9% better PassMark, 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 86.0% more expensive on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $86 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1161.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1117.9% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 6.7 PassMark/$), 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 2010), 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 U3400 vs Core i5-10400F Technical Specifications

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

Celeron U3400

The Celeron U3400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Westmere (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.06 GHz, with boost up to 0.07 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800. Passmark benchmark score: 575 points. Launch price was $69.

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 U3400 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 0.07 GHz on the Celeron U3400 versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F — a 193.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 1.06 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Celeron U3400 uses the Westmere (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-10400F uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron U3400 scores 575 against the Core i5-10400F's 13,029 — a 183.1% lead for the Core i5-10400F. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron U3400 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F.

Feature	Celeron U3400	Core i5-10400F
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	0.07 GHz	4.3 GHz+6043%
Base Clock	1.06 GHz	2.9 GHz+174%
L3 Cache	2 MB	12 MB (total)+500%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Westmere (2010−2011)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	575	13,029+2166%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	8,191
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,454
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	5,783

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron U3400 uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-10400F uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron U3400	Core i5-10400F
Socket	BGA1288	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Celeron U3400) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Celeron U3400	Core i5-10400F
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Gaming

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron U3400 was priced at $86, while the Core i5-10400F came in at $160. On launch pricing ($86 vs $160), Celeron U3400 was $74 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron U3400 delivers 6.7 pts/$ vs 81.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-10400F — making the Core i5-10400F the 169.6% better value option.

Feature	Celeron U3400	Core i5-10400F
MSRP	$86-46%	$160
Performance per Dollar	6.7	81.4+1115%
Release Date	2010	2020

Search Celeron U3400 on Amazon

Search Core i5-10400F on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.