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 i9-10900T 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 i9-10900T: 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

✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i9-10900T.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-10900T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (5,783 vs 7,476).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 81.4 vs 122.7 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $120 MSRP).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Core i9-10900T

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Costs $40 less on MSRP ($120 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
✅Delivers 50.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 122.7 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($120 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-10900T better than Core i5-10400F?

Yes. Core i9-10900T is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 11.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 29.3% better Geekbench multi-core, 13.0% 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 i9-10900T is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 11.4% 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 i9-10900T is the stronger fit. You are getting 29.3% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i9-10900T is the better buy right now. Core i9-10900T comes in $40 cheaper on MSRP at $120 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 50.7% better value on MSRP (122.7 vs 81.4 PassMark/$), 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 i9-10900T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 20 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 i9-10900T 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 i9-10900T

The Core i9-10900T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2020 (5 years ago). It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 14,727 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i9-10900T offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Core i9-10900T has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i9-10900T — a 6.7% clock advantage for the Core i9-10900T (base: 2.9 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Core i5-10400F is built on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Core i9-10900T's 14,727 — a 12.2% lead for the Core i9-10900T. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 1,710, a 16.2% lead for the Core i9-10900T that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 7,476 (25.5% advantage for the Core i9-10900T). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 20 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i9-10900T.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-10900T
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	10 / 20+67%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	4.6 GHz+7%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+53%	1.9 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	20 MB Intel® Smart Cache+67%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	—
PassMark	13,029	14,727+13%
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454	1,710+18%
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783	7,476+29%

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1200 socket with PCIe 3.0. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus DDR4-2933 on the Core i9-10900T — the Core i9-10900T supports 10% 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. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and Z490,H470,B460,H410,Z590,B560,H510 (Core i9-10900T).

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-10900T
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2933+10%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) vs Yes (Core i9-10900T). The Core i9-10900T includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-10900T
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	Yes
Target Use	Gaming	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the Core i9-10900T came in at $120. On launch pricing ($160 vs $120), Core i9-10900T was $40 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 122.7 pts/$ for the Core i9-10900T — making the Core i9-10900T the 40.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-10900T
MSRP	$160	$120-25%
Performance per Dollar	81.4	122.7+51%
Release Date	2020	2020

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