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 i7-10510U 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 i7-10510U: 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

✅Better for gaming: +32.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Costs $249 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
✅Delivers 419.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 15.7 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-10510U.

Trade-offs

❌333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-10510U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-10510U

2019

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics, while Core i5-10400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (3,866 vs 8,191).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 15.7 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than Core i7-10510U?

Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 32.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 111.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 103.3% 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 i5-10400F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 32.2% 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 i5-10400F is the stronger fit. You are getting 111.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Core i5-10400F is the better buy right now. Core i5-10400F comes in $249 cheaper on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $409 MSRP, and it still gives you a 32.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 419.7% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 15.7 PassMark/$), 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 i5-10400F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2019), 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-10400F vs Core i7-10510U 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 i7-10510U

The Core i7-10510U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,408 points. Launch price was $409.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-10510U offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-10400F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-10510U — a 13% clock advantage for the Core i7-10510U (base: 2.9 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-10510U uses Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Core i7-10510U's 6,408 — a 68.1% lead for the Core i5-10400F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 8,191 vs 3,866 (71.7% advantage for the Core i5-10400F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 1,300, a 11.2% lead for the Core i5-10400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 3,300 (54.7% advantage for the Core i5-10400F). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-10510U.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-10510U
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	4.9 GHz+14%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+61%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+50%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Comet Lake-U (2019−2020)
PassMark	13,029+103%	6,408
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191+112%	3,866
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454+12%	1,300
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783+75%	3,300

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-10510U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. The Core i5-10400F supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and 400-series (Core i7-10510U).

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-10510U
Socket	LGA1200	FCBGA1528
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i7-10510U includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, Core i7-10510U targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600; Core i7-10510U rivals Ryzen 7 3700U.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-10510U
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD Graphics
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming	Productivity

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the Core i7-10510U came in at $409. On launch pricing ($160 vs $409), Core i5-10400F was $249 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 15.7 pts/$ for the Core i7-10510U — making the Core i5-10400F the 135.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-10510U
MSRP	$160-61%	$409
Performance per Dollar	81.4+418%	15.7
Release Date	2020	2019

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