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

✅Costs $224 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $384 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-14700KF.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-14700KF across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,191 vs 36,245).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 33 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 81.4 vs 136.0 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $384 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i7-14700KF moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i7-14700KF

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +67.7% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+175% larger total L3 cache (33 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Delivers 67.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 136.0 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($384 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

❌
140% HIGHER MSRP
$384 MSRPvs$160 MSRP
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Core i5-10400F

2020

Core i7-14700KF

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $224 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $384 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-14700KF.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +67.7% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+175% larger total L3 cache (33 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Delivers 67.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 136.0 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($384 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

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-14700KF across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,191 vs 36,245).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 33 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 81.4 vs 136.0 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $384 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i7-14700KF moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Trade-offs

❌
140% HIGHER MSRP
$384 MSRPvs$160 MSRP
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-14700KF better than Core i5-10400F?

Yes. Core i7-14700KF is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 67.7% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data, 342.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 300.9% higher 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 i7-14700KF is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 67.7% more average FPS across 3 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-14700KF is the better fit. You are getting 342.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 20 cores and 28 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 175% larger total L3 cache (33 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i7-14700KF is the smarter buy today. Core i7-14700KF is 140.0% more expensive on MSRP at $384 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it gives you a 67.7% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 67.0% better value on MSRP (136.0 vs 81.4 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play 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 i7-14700KF is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2020), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, 175% larger total L3 cache (33 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 20 cores / 28 threads instead of 6/12. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

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 i7-14700KF Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-14700KF
1080p
low	192 FPS	349 FPS
medium	152 FPS	332 FPS
high	123 FPS	266 FPS
ultra	100 FPS	223 FPS
1440p
low	153 FPS	291 FPS
medium	119 FPS	246 FPS
high	97 FPS	185 FPS
ultra	79 FPS	162 FPS
4K
low	82 FPS	195 FPS
medium	70 FPS	164 FPS
high	55 FPS	123 FPS
ultra	43 FPS	111 FPS

Open Core i5-10400F Open Core i7-14700KF

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-14700KF
1080p
low	326 FPS	687 FPS
medium	318 FPS	581 FPS
high	290 FPS	485 FPS
ultra	253 FPS	440 FPS
1440p
low	326 FPS	594 FPS
medium	292 FPS	525 FPS
high	267 FPS	441 FPS
ultra	234 FPS	378 FPS
4K
low	309 FPS	347 FPS
medium	258 FPS	314 FPS
high	235 FPS	295 FPS
ultra	199 FPS	261 FPS

Open Core i5-10400F Open Core i7-14700KF

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-14700KF
1080p
low	326 FPS	647 FPS
medium	326 FPS	530 FPS
high	326 FPS	467 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	404 FPS
1440p
low	326 FPS	591 FPS
medium	326 FPS	492 FPS
high	326 FPS	427 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	372 FPS
4K
low	326 FPS	437 FPS
medium	326 FPS	382 FPS
high	289 FPS	346 FPS
ultra	229 FPS	295 FPS

Open Core i5-10400F Open Core i7-14700KF

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-14700KF
1080p
low	326 FPS	951 FPS
medium	326 FPS	865 FPS
high	326 FPS	750 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	674 FPS
1440p
low	326 FPS	802 FPS
medium	326 FPS	716 FPS
high	326 FPS	620 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	547 FPS
4K
low	326 FPS	565 FPS
medium	326 FPS	513 FPS
high	326 FPS	460 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	402 FPS

Open Core i5-10400F Open Core i7-14700KF

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-10400F and Core i7-14700KF

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 i7-14700KF

The Core i7-14700KF is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 17 October 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture. It features 20 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.6 GHz. L3 cache: 33 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 52,231 points. Launch price was $384.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-14700KF offers 20 cores / 28 threads — the Core i7-14700KF has 14 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 5.6 GHz on the Core i7-14700KF — a 26.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-14700KF (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-14700KF uses Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Core i7-14700KF's 52,231 — a 120.1% lead for the Core i7-14700KF. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 8,191 vs 36,245 (126.3% advantage for the Core i7-14700KF). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 2,921, a 67.1% lead for the Core i7-14700KF that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 19,560 (108.7% advantage for the Core i7-14700KF). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 33 MB (total) on the Core i7-14700KF.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-14700KF
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	20 / 28+233%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	5.6 GHz+30%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	3.4 GHz+17%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	33 MB (total)+175%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	2 MB (per core)+700%
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025)
PassMark	13,029	52,231+301%
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191	36,245+342%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454	2,921+101%
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783	19,560+238%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-14700KF uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus DDR5-5600 on the Core i7-14700KF — the Core i7-14700KF supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-14700KF supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 20 (Core i7-14700KF) — the Core i7-14700KF offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and LGA1700 (Core i7-14700KF).

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-14700KF
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR5-5600+25%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	192 GB+50%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-14700KF has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i7-14700KF supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-14700KF
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-10400F launched at $160 MSRP, while the Core i7-14700KF debuted at $384. On MSRP ($160 vs $384), the Core i5-10400F is $224 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 136.0 pts/$ for the Core i7-14700KF — making the Core i7-14700KF the 50.2% better value option.