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 9 270H 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 9 270H 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 9 270H

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +46.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

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

Core i5-10400F

2020

Why buy it

✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core 9 270H.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core 9 270H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,191 vs 16,500).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $160 MSRP, while Core 9 270H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 9 270H better than Core i5-10400F?

Yes. Core 9 270H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 46.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 101.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 121.0% 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 9 270H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 46.3% 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 9 270H is the stronger fit. You are getting 101.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core 9 270H is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-10400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core 9 270H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 46.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-10400F is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 9 270H 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, 100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 20 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core 9 270H vs Core i5-10400F Technical Specifications

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

Core 9 270H

The Core 9 270H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 18 December 2024 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 5.8 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 28,793 points. Launch price was $697.

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 9 270H packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i5-10400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core 9 270H has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.8 GHz on the Core 9 270H versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F — a 29.7% clock advantage for the Core 9 270H (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core 9 270H uses the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i5-10400F uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 9 270H scores 28,793 against the Core i5-10400F's 13,029 — a 75.4% lead for the Core 9 270H. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 16,500 vs 8,191 (67.3% advantage for the Core 9 270H). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,800 vs 1,454, a 63.3% lead for the Core 9 270H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 14,000 vs 5,783 (83.1% advantage for the Core 9 270H). L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core 9 270H vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F.

Feature	Core 9 270H	Core i5-10400F
Cores / Threads	14 / 20+133%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	5.8 GHz+35%	4.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	2.9 GHz+7%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)+100%	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+12700%
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	28,793+121%	13,029
Cinebench R23 Multi	16,500+101%	8,191
Geekbench 6 Single	2,800+93%	1,454
Geekbench 6 Multi	14,000+142%	5,783

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Memory & Platform

The Core 9 270H uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-10400F uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-6400 on the Core 9 270H versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F — the Core 9 270H supports 140.1% 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 96 GB — 33.3% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core 9 270H) vs 16 (Core i5-10400F) — the Core 9 270H offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Mobile platform (Core 9 270H) and H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F).

Feature	Core 9 270H	Core i5-10400F
Socket	FCBGA1744	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-6400+140%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	96 GB	128 GB+33%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

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Advanced Features

Only the Core 9 270H has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core 9 270H includes integrated graphics (Intel Xe Graphics (96 EUs)), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 9 270H targets Extreme Gaming Laptop, Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core 9 270H rivals Ryzen 9 9900H; Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core 9 270H	Core i5-10400F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel Xe Graphics (96 EUs)	—
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Extreme Gaming Laptop	Gaming