Core i3-10100F 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 i3-10100F 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 i3-10100F 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 i3-10100F

2020

Why buy it

✅Costs $72 less on MSRP ($88 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
✅Delivers 21.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 99.0 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($88 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
✅Draws 1W instead of 65W, a 64W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (8,714 vs 13,029).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 12 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Core i5-10400F

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +24.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-10100F.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 81.4 vs 99.0 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $88 MSRP).
❌6400% higher power demand at 65W vs 1W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than Core i3-10100F?

Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 24.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 49.5% 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 i5-10400F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 24.7% 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 49.5% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Core i5-10400F is still the better call for a fresh build. Core i5-10400F comes in 81.8% more expensive on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $88 MSRP, and it still gives you a 24.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-10100F only looks stronger on raw value math because it is so cheap, but its absolute performance tier is too low to be the better recommendation now. At roughly 8,714 PassMark with 4 cores and 8 threads, it only really makes sense as a bare-minimum stopgap or a very constrained existing-platform upgrade.

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 100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-10100F vs Core i5-10400F Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-10100F

The Core i3-10100F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 October 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 8,714 points. Launch price was $122.

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 i3-10100F packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-10400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-10400F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i3-10100F versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). Both are built on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i3-10100F scores 8,714 against the Core i5-10400F's 13,029 — a 39.7% lead for the Core i5-10400F. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i3-10100F vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F.

Feature	Core i3-10100F	Core i5-10400F
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	4.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+24%	2.9 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB	12 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	1 MB	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	8,714	13,029+50%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	8,191
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,454
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	5,783

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1200 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel 400 series (Core i3-10100F) and H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F).

Feature	Core i3-10100F	Core i5-10400F
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-10100F) / 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	Core i3-10100F	Core i5-10400F
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Gaming

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-10100F was priced at $88, while the Core i5-10400F came in at $160. On launch pricing ($88 vs $160), Core i3-10100F was $72 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-10100F delivers 99.0 pts/$ vs 81.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-10400F — making the Core i3-10100F the 19.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-10100F	Core i5-10400F
MSRP	$88-45%	$160
Performance per Dollar	99.0+22%	81.4
Release Date	2020	2020

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