Core i3-11100B 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 i3-11100B 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 i3-11100B 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 i3-11100B

2021

Why buy it

✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics for 11th Gen (16 EU), while Core i5-10400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (11,357 vs 13,029).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Core i5-10400F

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-11100B.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $160 MSRP, while Core i3-11100B mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-11100B can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than Core i3-11100B?

Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 14.7% better PassMark, 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 5.4% 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 i5-10400F is the stronger fit. You are getting 14.7% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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 at an unclear MSRP at $160 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-11100B makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2020). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-11100B vs Core i5-10400F Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-11100B

The Core i3-11100B is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2021 (4 years ago). It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB. Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: Up to 3200 MT/s. Passmark benchmark score: 11,357 points. Launch price was $149.

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 i3-11100B 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 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-11100B versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F — a 2.3% clock advantage for the Core i3-11100B (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i5-10400F is built on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i3-11100B scores 11,357 against the Core i5-10400F's 13,029 — a 13.7% lead for the Core i5-10400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,402 vs 1,454, a 3.6% lead for the Core i5-10400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 12 MB on the Core i3-11100B vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F.

Feature	Core i3-11100B	Core i5-10400F
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+2%	4.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+24%	2.9 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	—	256K (per core)
Process	10 nm SuperFin-29%	14 nm
Architecture	—	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	11,357	13,029+15%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	8,191
Geekbench 6 Single	1,402	1,454+4%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	5,783

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Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Core i3-11100B versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F — the Core i3-11100B supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i3-11100B) vs 16 (Core i5-10400F) — the Core i3-11100B offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i3-11100B) and H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F).

Feature	Core i3-11100B	Core i5-10400F
Socket	—	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200+20%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i3-11100B supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-11100B) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F). The Core i3-11100B includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics for 11th Gen (16 EU)), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-11100B targets Desktop, Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i3-11100B rivals Ryzen 3 5300G; Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i3-11100B	Core i5-10400F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics for 11th Gen (16 EU)	—
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Desktop	Gaming