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 i7-1250U 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 i7-1250U: 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

✅+20.7% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅Costs $266 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $426 MSRP).
✅Delivers 206.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 26.5 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $426 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-1250U.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-1250U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌584.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 9.5W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i7-1250U moves to FCBGA1781 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-1250U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-1250U

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 10W instead of 65W, a 56W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1781 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 Iris Xe Graphics (96EU), while Core i5-10400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (6,788 vs 8,191).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 26.5 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($426 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-1250U better than Core i5-10400F?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-1250U is ahead with a 8.9% 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 20.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core.

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 20.7% 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 i7-1250U is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-10400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-1250U comes in 166.3% more expensive on MSRP at $426 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-10400F is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 20.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core i5-10400F is also 206.9% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 26.5 PassMark/$), 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 i7-1250U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2020) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1781 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-10400F vs Core i7-1250U 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 i7-1250U

The Core i7-1250U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 February 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture. It features 10 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1781. Thermal design power (TDP): 9.5 MB + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 11,305 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-1250U offers 10 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-1250U has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-1250U — a 8.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-1250U (base: 2.9 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-1250U uses Alder Lake-U (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Core i7-1250U's 11,305 — a 14.2% lead for the Core i5-10400F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 8,191 vs 6,788 (18.7% advantage for the Core i5-10400F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 1,600, a 9.6% lead for the Core i7-1250U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 6,500 (11.7% advantage for the Core i7-1250U). Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-1250U
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	10 / 12+67%
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)+20380%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Alder Lake-U (2022)
PassMark	13,029+15%	11,305
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191+21%	6,788
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454	1,600+10%
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783	6,500+12%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-1250U uses FCBGA1781 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus DDR5-5200 on the Core i7-1250U — the Core i7-1250U supports 95% 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 — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 20 (Core i7-1250U) — the Core i7-1250U offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and SoC (Core i7-1250U).

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-1250U
Socket	LGA1200	FCBGA1781
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR5-5200+95%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-1250U). The Core i7-1250U includes integrated graphics (Intel Iris Xe Graphics (96EU)), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, Core i7-1250U targets Thin and Light Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-1250U
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel Iris Xe Graphics (96EU)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Gaming	Thin and Light Laptop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the Core i7-1250U came in at $426. On launch pricing ($160 vs $426), Core i5-10400F was $266 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 26.5 pts/$ for the Core i7-1250U — making the Core i5-10400F the 101.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-1250U
MSRP	$160-62%	$426
Performance per Dollar	81.4+207%	26.5
Release Date	2020	2022

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