Core i5-10400 vs Ryzen 5 1600

CPU

GPU

Core i5-10400

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020

Core family

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Ryzen 5 1600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2017

Ryzen family

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Core i5-10400 vs Ryzen 5 1600 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-10400

6 / 12

11,988

0.0%

12,261

+2.3%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX

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 5 1600 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 5 1600: 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: +6.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $37 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $219 MSRP).
✅Delivers 17.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 65.9 vs 56.0 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $219 MSRP).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Ryzen 5 1600 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Ryzen 5 1600.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (11,988 vs 12,261).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).

Ryzen 5 1600

2017

Why buy it

✅+2.3% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
✅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 per dollar, at 56.0 vs 65.9 PassMark/$ ($219 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
❌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 5 1600?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-10400 is ahead with a 6.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 1600 pulls ahead with 2.3% better PassMark. Ryzen 5 1600 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 1600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.3% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i5-10400 is the better buy right now. Core i5-10400 comes in $37 cheaper on MSRP at $182 MSRP versus $219 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Ryzen 5 1600 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 2.3% better PassMark. It is also 17.7% better value on MSRP (65.9 vs 56.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 5 1600 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 i5-10400 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2017). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-10400 vs Ryzen 5 1600 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 5 1600

The Ryzen 5 1600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 11 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 12,261 points. Launch price was $219.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-10400 and Ryzen 5 1600 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400 versus 3.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 1600 — a 17.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-10400 uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 1600 uses Zen 2 (2017−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400 scores 11,988 against the Ryzen 5 1600's 12,261 — a 2.3% lead for the Ryzen 5 1600. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400 vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 1600.

Feature	Core i5-10400	Ryzen 5 1600
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+19%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	3.2 GHz+10%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	16 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Zen 2 (2017−2020)
PassMark	11,988	12,261+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,313	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,600	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 1600 uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. The Core i5-10400 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: 16 (Core i5-10400) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 1600) — the Ryzen 5 1600 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: 400-series (Core i5-10400) and AMD 300 series,AMD 400 series (Ryzen 5 1600).

Feature	Core i5-10400	Ryzen 5 1600
Socket	LGA1200	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	24+50%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-10400) / not specified (Ryzen 5 1600). The Core i5-10400 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen 5 1600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400 rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i5-10400	Ryzen 5 1600
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Gaming	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400 was priced at $182, while the Ryzen 5 1600 came in at $219. On launch pricing ($182 vs $219), Core i5-10400 was $37 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400 delivers 65.9 pts/$ vs 56.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 1600 — making the Core i5-10400 the 16.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-10400	Ryzen 5 1600
MSRP	$182-17%	$219
Performance per Dollar	65.9+18%	56.0
Release Date	2020	2017

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