Core i5-10400F vs Core i5-11400H

Intel

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020
Core family
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VS
Intel

Core i5-11400H

6 Cores12 Thrd35 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2021
Core family
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Core i5-10400F vs Core i5-11400H Performance Spectrum

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 i5-10400F vs Core i5-11400H 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 i5-10400F vs Core i5-11400H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-10400F

2020

Why buy it

  • +0.5% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-11400H.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-11400H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Launch MSRP is still $160 MSRP, while Core i5-11400H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i5-11400H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-11400H

2021

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +8.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
  • 25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 11th Gen 16EU, while Core i5-10400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,150 vs 8,191).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-11400H better than Core i5-10400F?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-11400H is ahead with a 8.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-10400F pulls ahead with 0.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core.
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 0.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-11400H is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-10400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-11400H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-10400F is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core i5-10400F is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-11400H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2020). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-10400F vs Core i5-11400H Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

Intel

Core i5-11400H

The Core i5-11400H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 15,262 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-10400F and Core i5-11400H share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i5-11400H — a 4.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-11400H (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-11400H uses Tiger Lake-H (2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Core i5-11400H's 15,262 — a 15.8% lead for the Core i5-11400H. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 8,191 vs 8,150 (0.5% advantage for the Core i5-10400F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 1,900, a 26.6% lead for the Core i5-11400H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 6,500 (11.7% advantage for the Core i5-11400H). Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

FeatureCore i5-10400FCore i5-11400H
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
6 / 12
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz
4.5 GHz+5%
Base Clock
2.9 GHz+7%
2.7 GHz
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
12 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)+20380%
1.25 MB (per core)
Process
14 nm
10 nm SuperFin-29%
Architecture
Comet Lake (2020−2025)
Tiger Lake-H (2021)
PassMark
13,029
15,262+17%
Cinebench R23 Multi
8,191
8,150
Geekbench 6 Single
1,454
1,900+31%
Geekbench 6 Multi
5,783
6,500+12%
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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-11400H uses FCBGA1787 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-11400H — the Core i5-11400H 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 i5-10400F) vs 20 (Core i5-11400H) — the Core i5-11400H offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and HM570,QM580,WM590 (Core i5-11400H).

FeatureCore i5-10400FCore i5-11400H
Socket
LGA1200
FCBGA1787
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
No
PCIe Lanes
16
20+25%
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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i5-11400H supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-11400H). The Core i5-11400H includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 11th Gen 16EU), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, Core i5-11400H targets Gaming Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600; Core i5-11400H rivals Ryzen 5 5600H.

FeatureCore i5-10400FCore i5-11400H
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 11th Gen 16EU
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Gaming
Gaming Laptop