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 i5-14490F 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 i5-14490F: 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

✅+226.3% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅Costs $49 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $209 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-14490F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 81.4 vs 132.2 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $209 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i5-14490F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i5-14490F

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +36.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Delivers 62.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 132.2 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($209 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (2,510 vs 8,191).
❌
30.6% HIGHER MSRP
$209 MSRPvs$160 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-14490F better than Core i5-10400F?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-14490F is ahead with a 36.1% 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 226.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core i5-14490F also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB).

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 226.3% 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 i5-14490F is the better buy right now. Core i5-14490F comes in 30.6% more expensive on MSRP at $209 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 36.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-10400F is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 226.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. It is also 62.3% better value on MSRP (132.2 vs 81.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Core i5-10400F can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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

Core i5-14490F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2020), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, and 100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-10400F vs Core i5-14490F 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 i5-14490F

The Core i5-14490F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture. It features 10 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 27,621 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-14490F offers 10 cores / 16 threads — the Core i5-14490F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 5 GHz on the Core i5-14490F — a 15.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-14490F (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-14490F uses Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Core i5-14490F's 27,621 — a 71.8% lead for the Core i5-14490F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 8,191 vs 2,510 (106.2% advantage for the Core i5-10400F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 2,600, a 56.5% lead for the Core i5-14490F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 12,000 (69.9% advantage for the Core i5-14490F). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i5-14490F.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i5-14490F
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	10 / 16+67%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	5 GHz+16%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+16%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	24 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+20380%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	10 nm-29%
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025)
PassMark	13,029	27,621+112%
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191+226%	2,510
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454	2,600+79%
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783	12,000+108%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-14490F uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-14490F — the Core i5-14490F supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-14490F 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 i5-14490F) — the Core i5-14490F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and H610,B660,Z690,B760,Z790 (Core i5-14490F).

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i5-14490F
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+80%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	192 GB+50%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, Core i5-14490F targets Mid-Range. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600; Core i5-14490F rivals Ryzen 5 7600.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i5-14490F
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming	Mid-Range

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the Core i5-14490F came in at $209. On launch pricing ($160 vs $209), Core i5-10400F was $49 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 132.2 pts/$ for the Core i5-14490F — making the Core i5-14490F the 47.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i5-14490F
MSRP	$160-23%	$209
Performance per Dollar	81.4	132.2+62%
Release Date	2020	2024

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