Core i5-10400F vs Core i5-14450HX

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 i5-14450HX 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 i5-14450HX: 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

✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-14450HX.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-14450HX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (13,029 vs 23,557).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $160 MSRP, while Core i5-14450HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i5-14450HX moves to FCBGA1964 and DDR5.

Core i5-14450HX

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1964 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics, while Core i5-10400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-14450HX better than Core i5-10400F?

Yes. Core i5-14450HX is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 14.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 80.8% 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 i5-14450HX is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 14.2% 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 i5-14450HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 80.8% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i5-14450HX is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-10400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-14450HX comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-10400F is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-14450HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2020), a healthier platform with FCBGA1964 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, 66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 16 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-10400F vs Core i5-14450HX 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 i5-14450HX

The Core i5-14450HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-HX Refresh (2024) architecture. It features 10 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): + 20 MB. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 23,557 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-14450HX offers 10 cores / 16 threads — the Core i5-14450HX has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i5-14450HX — a 11% clock advantage for the Core i5-14450HX (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-14450HX uses Raptor Lake-HX Refresh (2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Core i5-14450HX's 23,557 — a 57.6% lead for the Core i5-14450HX. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-14450HX.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i5-14450HX
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	10 / 16+67%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	4.8 GHz+12%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+21%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	20 MB (total)+67%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Raptor Lake-HX Refresh (2024)
PassMark	13,029	23,557+81%
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-14450HX uses FCBGA1964 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus DDR5-5600 on the Core i5-14450HX — the Core i5-14450HX supports 110.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-14450HX supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 20 (Core i5-14450HX) — the Core i5-14450HX offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i5-14450HX
Socket	LGA1200	FCBGA1964
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR5-5600+110%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	192 GB+50%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i5-14450HX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i5-14450HX supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i5-14450HX includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, Core i5-14450HX targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.