Core i5-10400 vs Ryzen 3 3100

CPU

GPU

Core i5-10400

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020

Core family

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Ryzen 3 3100

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2020

Ryzen family

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Core i5-10400 vs Ryzen 3 3100 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-10400

6 / 12

11,988

+0.5%

11,928

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

About PassMark

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 i5-10400 vs Ryzen 3 3100 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 i5-10400 vs Ryzen 3 3100: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-10400

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Ryzen 3 3100 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Ryzen 3 3100.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 65.9 vs 120.5 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $99 MSRP).

Ryzen 3 3100

2020

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Costs $83 less on MSRP ($99 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
✅Delivers 82.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 120.5 vs 65.9 PassMark/$ ($99 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
✅50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (11,928 vs 11,988).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-10400 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400 better than Ryzen 3 3100?

Yes. Core i5-10400 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.5% 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 i5-10400 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.1% 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 i5-10400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-10400 is still the better call for a fresh build. Core i5-10400 comes in 83.8% more expensive on MSRP at $182 MSRP versus $99 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 3 3100 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is so cheap, but its absolute performance tier is too low to be the better recommendation now. At roughly 11,928 PassMark with 4 cores and 8 threads, it only really makes sense as a bare-minimum stopgap or a very constrained existing-platform upgrade.

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

Core i5-10400 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-10400 vs Ryzen 3 3100 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-10400

The Core i5-10400 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: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 11,988 points. Launch price was $149.

Ryzen 3 3100

The Ryzen 3 3100 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 24 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 11,928 points. Launch price was $99.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 3 3100 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-10400 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400 versus 3.9 GHz on the Ryzen 3 3100 — a 9.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-10400 uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 3 3100 uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400 scores 11,988 against the Ryzen 3 3100's 11,928 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-10400. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400 vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 3 3100.

Feature	Core i5-10400	Ryzen 3 3100
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+10%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	3.6 GHz+24%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	16 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	7 nm-50%
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark	11,988	11,928
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,313	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,600	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 3 3100 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 3 3100 — the Ryzen 3 3100 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: 16 (Core i5-10400) vs 24 (Ryzen 3 3100) — the Ryzen 3 3100 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: 400-series (Core i5-10400) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 3 3100).

Feature	Core i5-10400	Ryzen 3 3100
Socket	LGA1200	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-3200+20%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	24+50%

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Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 3 3100 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-10400) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 3 3100). The Core i5-10400 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen 3 3100 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400 targets Gaming, Ryzen 3 3100 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400 rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i5-10400	Ryzen 3 3100
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	AMD-V
Target Use	Gaming	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400 was priced at $182, while the Ryzen 3 3100 came in at $99. On launch pricing ($182 vs $99), Ryzen 3 3100 was $83 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400 delivers 65.9 pts/$ vs 120.5 pts/$ for the Ryzen 3 3100 — making the Ryzen 3 3100 the 58.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-10400	Ryzen 3 3100
MSRP	$182	$99-46%
Performance per Dollar	65.9	120.5+83%
Release Date	2020	2020

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