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 i7-11850HE 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 i7-11850HE: 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

✅Costs $240 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $400 MSRP).
✅Delivers 52.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 53.4 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $400 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-11850HE.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-11850HE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (13,029 vs 21,365).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 24 MB).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-11850HE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-11850HE

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics, while Core i5-10400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 53.4 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($400 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-11850HE better than Core i5-10400F?

Yes. Core i7-11850HE is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 11.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 64% 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 i7-11850HE is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 11.9% 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 i7-11850HE is the stronger fit. You are getting 64% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i7-11850HE is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-10400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-11850HE comes in 150.0% more expensive on MSRP at $400 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-10400F is also 52.5% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 53.4 PassMark/$), 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 i7-11850HE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2020), 100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-10400F vs Core i7-11850HE 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 i7-11850HE

The Core i7-11850HE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 August 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 21,365 points. Launch price was $400.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-11850HE offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i7-11850HE has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-11850HE — a 8.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-11850HE (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-11850HE uses Tiger Lake-H (2021) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Core i7-11850HE's 21,365 — a 48.5% lead for the Core i7-11850HE. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 1,984, a 30.8% lead for the Core i7-11850HE that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i7-11850HE.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-11850HE
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	4.7 GHz+9%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+38%	2.1 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)	Tiger Lake-H (2021)
PassMark	13,029	21,365+64%
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454	1,984+36%
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 i7-11850HE uses FCBGA1787 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus DDR4-3200 on the Core i7-11850HE — the Core i7-11850HE supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 20 (Core i7-11850HE) — the Core i7-11850HE offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and RM590E,QM580E (Core i7-11850HE).

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-11850HE
Socket	LGA1200	FCBGA1787
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-3200+20%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i7-11850HE supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-11850HE). The Core i7-11850HE includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, Core i7-11850HE targets Embedded/Industrial. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600; Core i7-11850HE rivals Ryzen Embedded V3000.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-11850HE
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD Graphics
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Gaming	Embedded/Industrial

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the Core i7-11850HE came in at $400. On launch pricing ($160 vs $400), Core i5-10400F was $240 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 53.4 pts/$ for the Core i7-11850HE — making the Core i5-10400F the 41.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-11850HE
MSRP	$160-60%	$400
Performance per Dollar	81.4+52%	53.4
Release Date	2020	2021

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