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 i3-1215U 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 i3-1215U 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 i3-1215U

2022

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W 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.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics for 12th Gen (64 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 (10,281 vs 13,029).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (10 MB vs 12 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Core i5-10400F

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 10 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-1215U.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $160 MSRP, while Core i3-1215U 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 i3-1215U moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-1215U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than Core i3-1215U?

Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 8.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 26.7% 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 8.3% 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 i5-10400F is the stronger fit. You are getting 26.7% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 10 MB).

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 $160 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-1215U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2020) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-1215U vs Core i5-10400F Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-1215U

The Core i3-1215U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 February 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 10,281 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 i3-1215U packs 6 cores / 8 threads, matching the Core i5-10400F's 6 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-1215U versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F — a 2.3% clock advantage for the Core i3-1215U (base: 1.2 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i3-1215U uses the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-10400F uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-1215U scores 10,281 against the Core i5-10400F's 13,029 — a 23.6% lead for the Core i5-10400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,079 vs 1,454, a 35.4% lead for the Core i3-1215U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 10 MB (total) on the Core i3-1215U vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F.

Feature	Core i3-1215U	Core i5-10400F
Cores / Threads	6 / 8	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+2%	4.3 GHz
Base Clock	1.2 GHz	2.9 GHz+142%
L3 Cache	10 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+20%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-U (2022)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	10,281	13,029+27%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	8,191
Geekbench 6 Single	2,079+43%	1,454
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	5,783

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-1215U 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 LPDDR5-5200 on the Core i3-1215U versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F — the Core i3-1215U supports 95% 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 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i3-1215U) vs 16 (Core i5-10400F) — the Core i3-1215U offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i3-1215U	Core i5-10400F
Socket	FCBGA1744	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5-5200+95%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-1215U) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F). The Core i3-1215U includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics for 12th Gen (64 EU)), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-1215U targets Mainstream Laptop, Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i3-1215U rivals Ryzen 3 5425U; Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i3-1215U	Core i5-10400F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics for 12th Gen (64 EU)	—
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Mainstream Laptop	Gaming