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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

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 6 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: +56.6% higher average FPS across 6 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.

Core i5-10400F

2020

Core i5-14450HX

2024

Why buy it

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

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +56.6% higher average FPS across 6 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

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-14450HX across 6 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.

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 overall CPU here. You are getting a 56.6% average FPS lead across 6 shared CPU game tests in our data, 80.8% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-14450HX is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 56.6% more average FPS across 6 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 better fit. You are getting 80.8% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 16 threads. It also carries 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 makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i5-14450HX is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it gives you a 56.6% average FPS lead across 6 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-10400F is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

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

Core i5-14450HX is the more future-proof choice 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 should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i5-10400F Benchmark Check

Core i5-14450HX Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Core i5-14450HX
1080p
low	192 FPS	252 FPS
medium	152 FPS	242 FPS
high	123 FPS	202 FPS
ultra	100 FPS	173 FPS
1440p
low	153 FPS	218 FPS
medium	119 FPS	187 FPS
high	97 FPS	151 FPS
ultra	79 FPS	132 FPS
4K
low	82 FPS	151 FPS
medium	70 FPS	129 FPS
high	55 FPS	99 FPS
ultra	43 FPS	87 FPS

Open Core i5-10400F Open Core i5-14450HX

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Core i5-14450HX
1080p
low	326 FPS	555 FPS
medium	318 FPS	470 FPS
high	290 FPS	393 FPS
ultra	253 FPS	361 FPS
1440p
low	326 FPS	457 FPS
medium	292 FPS	402 FPS
high	267 FPS	345 FPS
ultra	234 FPS	300 FPS
4K
low	309 FPS	279 FPS
medium	258 FPS	246 FPS
high	235 FPS	231 FPS
ultra	199 FPS	203 FPS

Open Core i5-10400F Open Core i5-14450HX

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Core i5-14450HX
1080p
low	326 FPS	589 FPS
medium	326 FPS	526 FPS
high	326 FPS	466 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	404 FPS
1440p
low	326 FPS	588 FPS
medium	326 FPS	484 FPS
high	326 FPS	423 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	369 FPS
4K
low	326 FPS	433 FPS
medium	326 FPS	371 FPS
high	289 FPS	333 FPS
ultra	229 FPS	284 FPS

Open Core i5-10400F Open Core i5-14450HX

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Core i5-14450HX
1080p
low	326 FPS	589 FPS
medium	326 FPS	589 FPS
high	326 FPS	589 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	589 FPS
1440p
low	326 FPS	589 FPS
medium	326 FPS	589 FPS
high	326 FPS	588 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	512 FPS
4K
low	326 FPS	531 FPS
medium	326 FPS	486 FPS
high	326 FPS	434 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	378 FPS

Open Core i5-10400F Open Core i5-14450HX

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-10400F and Core i5-14450HX

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.

⚡

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)	2 MB (per core)+700%
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	—

🧠

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 22.2% 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 — 40% 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+25%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	192 GB+50%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

🔧

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.