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 i5-11600KF 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 i5-11600KF: 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

✅Costs $77 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $237 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-11600KF.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-11600KF across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,191 vs 11,277).

Core i5-11600KF

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +29.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
48.1% HIGHER MSRP
$237 MSRPvs$160 MSRP
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-11600KF better than Core i5-10400F?

Yes. Core i5-11600KF is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 29.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 37.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 49.4% higher 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 i5-11600KF is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 29.5% 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 i5-11600KF is the stronger fit. You are getting 37.7% 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 i5-11600KF is the better buy right now. Core i5-11600KF comes in 48.1% more expensive on MSRP at $237 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 29.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 0.9% better value on MSRP (82.1 vs 81.4 PassMark/$), 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 i5-11600KF makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2020) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-10400F vs Core i5-11600KF Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i5-11600KF

The Core i5-11600KF is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 19,468 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-10400F and Core i5-11600KF share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i5-11600KF — a 13% clock advantage for the Core i5-11600KF (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.9 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-11600KF uses Rocket Lake (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Core i5-11600KF's 19,468 — a 39.6% lead for the Core i5-11600KF. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 8,191 vs 11,277 (31.7% advantage for the Core i5-11600KF). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 2,138, a 38.1% lead for the Core i5-11600KF that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 8,631 (39.5% advantage for the Core i5-11600KF). Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i5-11600KF
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	4.9 GHz+14%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	3.9 GHz+34%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Rocket Lake (2021)
PassMark	13,029	19,468+49%
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191	11,277+38%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454	2,138+47%
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783	8,631+49%

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1200 socket with PCIe 3.0. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-11600KF — the Core i5-11600KF 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 i5-11600KF) — the Core i5-11600KF offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and LGA1200 (Core i5-11600KF).

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i5-11600KF
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1200
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

Only the Core i5-11600KF has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i5-11600KF 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 i5-11600KF). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, Core i5-11600KF targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600; Core i5-11600KF rivals Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i5-11600KF
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Gaming	Gaming

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the Core i5-11600KF came in at $237. On launch pricing ($160 vs $237), Core i5-10400F was $77 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 82.1 pts/$ for the Core i5-11600KF — making the Core i5-11600KF the 0.9% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i5-11600KF
MSRP	$160-32%	$237
Performance per Dollar	81.4	82.1
Release Date	2020	2021

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