Core i3-14100 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 i3-14100 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 i3-14100 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 i3-14100

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $26 less on MSRP ($134 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
✅Delivers 39.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 113.5 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
✅Draws 60W instead of 65W, a 5W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

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

Core i5-10400F

2020

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-14100.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-14100 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (13,029 vs 15,213).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 81.4 vs 113.5 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i3-14100 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-14100 better than Core i5-10400F?

Yes. Core i3-14100 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 16.8% 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 i3-14100 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.7% 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 i3-14100 is the stronger fit. You are getting 16.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i3-14100 is the better buy right now. Core i3-14100 comes in $26 cheaper on MSRP at $134 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 39.4% better value on MSRP (113.5 vs 81.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Core i5-10400F can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap, but on MSRP alone you would want to find it meaningfully cheaper in real-world listings before that path becomes easy to justify.

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

Core i3-14100 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2020), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-14100 vs Core i5-10400F Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-14100

The Core i3-14100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 60 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 15,213 points. Launch price was $134.

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 i3-14100 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 4.7 GHz on the Core i3-14100 versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F — a 8.9% clock advantage for the Core i3-14100 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i3-14100 uses the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-10400F uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-14100 scores 15,213 against the Core i5-10400F's 13,029 — a 15.5% lead for the Core i3-14100. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-14100	Core i5-10400F
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz+9%	4.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+21%	2.9 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	15,213+17%	13,029
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	8,191
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,454
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	5,783

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-14100 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-10400F uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-14100	Core i5-10400F
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	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 i3-14100) / 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 i3-14100	Core i5-10400F
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Gaming

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-14100 was priced at $134, while the Core i5-10400F came in at $160. On launch pricing ($134 vs $160), Core i3-14100 was $26 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-14100 delivers 113.5 pts/$ vs 81.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-10400F — making the Core i3-14100 the 32.9% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-14100	Core i5-10400F
MSRP	$134-16%	$160
Performance per Dollar	113.5+39%	81.4
Release Date	2024	2020

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