Core i3-10300 vs Core i5-8400

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 i3-10300 vs Core i5-8400 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 i3-10300 vs Core i5-8400: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-10300

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +22.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 62W instead of 65W, a 3W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-8400 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-8400

2017

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i3-10300 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-10300 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (9,229 vs 9,290).
❌Launch MSRP is still $182 MSRP, while Core i3-10300 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-10300 better than Core i5-8400?

Yes. Core i3-10300 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 22.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.7% 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 i3-10300 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 22.4% 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 i3-10300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i3-10300 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-10300 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you a 22.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-8400 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (50.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

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

Core i3-10300 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2017) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/6. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-10300 vs Core i5-8400 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-10300

The Core i3-10300 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 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,290 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i5-8400

The Core i5-8400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 October 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,229 points. Launch price was $182.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-10300 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-8400 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the Core i5-8400 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-10300 versus 4 GHz on the Core i5-8400 — a 9.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-10300 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i3-10300 uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-8400 uses Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-10300 scores 9,290 against the Core i5-8400's 9,229 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i3-10300. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i3-10300 vs 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8400.

Feature	Core i3-10300	Core i5-8400
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 6+50%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+10%	4 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+32%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	9 MB (total)+13%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)
PassMark	9,290	9,229

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-10300 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-8400 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-10300	Core i5-8400
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	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 i3-10300) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-8400). The Core i5-8400 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i3-10300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8400 targets Desktop.