Core 5 120U 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.

Core 5 120U 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.

Core 5 120U 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.

Core 5 120U

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +18.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Core i5-10400F

2020

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core 5 120U.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core 5 120U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (13,029 vs 16,225).
❌Launch MSRP is still $160 MSRP, while Core 5 120U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core 5 120U moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 5 120U better than Core i5-10400F?

Yes. Core 5 120U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 18.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 24.5% 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 5 120U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 18.0% 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 5 120U is the stronger fit. You are getting 24.5% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 12 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core 5 120U is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-10400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core 5 120U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 18.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-10400F is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core 5 120U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2020), a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core 5 120U vs Core i5-10400F Technical Specifications

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

Core 5 120U

The Core 5 120U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-U Refresh (2024) architecture. It features 10 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4X-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 16,225 points. Launch price was $299.

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 Core 5 120U packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-10400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core 5 120U has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core 5 120U versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F — a 15.1% clock advantage for the Core 5 120U (base: 1.4 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core 5 120U uses the Raptor Lake-U Refresh (2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i5-10400F uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 5 120U scores 16,225 against the Core i5-10400F's 13,029 — a 21.9% lead for the Core 5 120U. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core 5 120U	Core i5-10400F
Cores / Threads	10 / 12+67%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	5 GHz+16%	4.3 GHz
Base Clock	1.4 GHz	2.9 GHz+107%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-U Refresh (2024)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	16,225+25%	13,029
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	8,191
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,454
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	5,783

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Memory & Platform

The Core 5 120U uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-10400F uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 5 120U	Core i5-10400F
Socket	FCBGA1744	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 5 120U) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.