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

✅Better for gaming: +41.4% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $255 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $415 MSRP).
✅Delivers 265.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 22.3 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $415 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-10710U.

Trade-offs

❌160% higher power demand at 65W vs 25W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-10710U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-10710U

2019

Why buy it

✅Draws 25W instead of 65W, a 40W 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 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (9,240 vs 13,029).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 22.3 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($415 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Core i5-10400F

2020

Core i7-10710U

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +41.4% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $255 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $415 MSRP).
✅Delivers 265.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 22.3 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $415 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-10710U.

Why buy it

✅Draws 25W instead of 65W, a 40W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics, while Core i5-10400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌160% higher power demand at 65W vs 25W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-10710U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (9,240 vs 13,029).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 22.3 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($415 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than Core i7-10710U?

Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 41.4% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 41% 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 i5-10400F is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 41.4% more average FPS across 4 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 better fit. You are getting 41% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-10400F is the smarter buy today. Core i5-10400F is $255 cheaper on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $415 MSRP, and it gives you a 41.4% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 265.7% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 22.3 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

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

Core i5-10400F is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2019) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom should age better as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

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 i7-10710U Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-10710U
1080p
low	192 FPS	189 FPS
medium	152 FPS	154 FPS
high	123 FPS	127 FPS
ultra	100 FPS	103 FPS
1440p
low	153 FPS	151 FPS
medium	119 FPS	120 FPS
high	97 FPS	98 FPS
ultra	79 FPS	81 FPS
4K
low	82 FPS	85 FPS
medium	70 FPS	73 FPS
high	55 FPS	59 FPS
ultra	43 FPS	46 FPS

Open Core i5-10400F Open Core i7-10710U

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-10710U
1080p
low	326 FPS	217 FPS
medium	318 FPS	180 FPS
high	290 FPS	168 FPS
ultra	253 FPS	146 FPS
1440p
low	326 FPS	194 FPS
medium	292 FPS	162 FPS
high	267 FPS	153 FPS
ultra	234 FPS	133 FPS
4K
low	309 FPS	163 FPS
medium	258 FPS	137 FPS
high	235 FPS	130 FPS
ultra	199 FPS	109 FPS

Open Core i5-10400F Open Core i7-10710U

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-10710U
1080p
low	326 FPS	231 FPS
medium	326 FPS	231 FPS
high	326 FPS	231 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	231 FPS
1440p
low	326 FPS	231 FPS
medium	326 FPS	231 FPS
high	326 FPS	231 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	231 FPS
4K
low	326 FPS	231 FPS
medium	326 FPS	231 FPS
high	289 FPS	231 FPS
ultra	229 FPS	231 FPS

Open Core i5-10400F Open Core i7-10710U

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-10710U
1080p
low	326 FPS	231 FPS
medium	326 FPS	231 FPS
high	326 FPS	231 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	231 FPS
1440p
low	326 FPS	231 FPS
medium	326 FPS	231 FPS
high	326 FPS	231 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	231 FPS
4K
low	326 FPS	231 FPS
medium	326 FPS	231 FPS
high	326 FPS	231 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	231 FPS

Open Core i5-10400F Open Core i7-10710U

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-10400F and Core i7-10710U

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 i7-10710U

The Core i7-10710U 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 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 12 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: 9,240 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-10400F and Core i7-10710U share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-10710U — a 8.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-10710U (base: 2.9 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-10710U uses Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Core i7-10710U's 9,240 — a 34% lead for the Core i5-10400F. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-10710U
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	4.7 GHz+9%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+164%	1.1 GHz
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)	Comet Lake-U (2019−2020)
PassMark	13,029+41%	9,240
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 i7-10710U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus LPDDR3-2133 on the Core i7-10710U — the Core i5-10400F supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-10400F supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-10710U
Socket	LGA1200	FCBGA1528
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666+33%	LPDDR3-2133
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i7-10710U includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, Core i7-10710U targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-10710U
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	Mobile

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-10400F launched at $160 MSRP, while the Core i7-10710U debuted at $415. On MSRP ($160 vs $415), the Core i5-10400F is $255 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 22.3 pts/$ for the Core i7-10710U — making the Core i5-10400F the 114.1% better value option.