Core i3-330E 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 i3-330E 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 i3-330E 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 i3-330E

2010

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,260 vs 13,029).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.1 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($177 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Core i5-10400F

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +464.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+300% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Costs $17 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $177 MSRP).
✅Delivers 1043.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 7.1 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $177 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than Core i3-330E?

Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 464.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 934% 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 464.2% 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 934% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 300% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 3 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 $17 cheaper on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $177 MSRP, and it still gives you a 464.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1043.9% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 7.1 PassMark/$), 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 i5-10400F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2010), 300% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-330E vs Core i5-10400F Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-330E

The Core i3-330E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Westmere (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 0.03 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 1,260 points. Launch price was $177.

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.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-330E packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-10400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-10400F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 0.03 GHz on the Core i3-330E versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F — a 197.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 2.13 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i3-330E uses the Westmere (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-10400F uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-330E scores 1,260 against the Core i5-10400F's 13,029 — a 164.7% lead for the Core i5-10400F. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-330E vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F.

Feature	Core i3-330E	Core i5-10400F
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	0.03 GHz	4.3 GHz+14233%
Base Clock	2.13 GHz	2.9 GHz+36%
L3 Cache	3 MB	12 MB (total)+300%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Westmere (2010−2011)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	1,260	13,029+934%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	8,191
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,454
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	5,783

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-330E uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-10400F uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-330E	Core i5-10400F
Socket	BGA1288	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-330E) / 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 i3-330E	Core i5-10400F
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Gaming

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-330E was priced at $177, while the Core i5-10400F came in at $160. On launch pricing ($177 vs $160), Core i5-10400F was $17 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-330E delivers 7.1 pts/$ vs 81.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-10400F — making the Core i5-10400F the 167.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-330E	Core i5-10400F
MSRP	$177	$160-10%
Performance per Dollar	7.1	81.4+1046%
Release Date	2010	2020

Search Core i3-330E on Amazon

Search Core i5-10400F on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.