Core i5-10400F vs Core i9-11900

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 i9-11900 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 i9-11900: 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 $279 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $439 MSRP).
✅Delivers 59.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 51.1 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $439 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i9-11900.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-11900 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (13,029 vs 22,422).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).

Core i9-11900

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +36.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 51.1 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($439 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-11900 better than Core i5-10400F?

Yes. Core i9-11900 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 36.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 72.1% 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 i9-11900 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 36.5% 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 i9-11900 is the stronger fit. You are getting 72.1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i9-11900 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-10400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-11900 comes in 174.4% more expensive on MSRP at $439 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 36.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-10400F is also 59.4% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 51.1 PassMark/$), 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 i9-11900 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2020), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 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 i9-11900 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 i9-11900

The Core i9-11900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 22,422 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i9-11900 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i9-11900 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-11900 — a 17% clock advantage for the Core i9-11900 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i9-11900 uses Rocket Lake (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Core i9-11900's 22,422 — a 53% lead for the Core i9-11900. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-11900.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-11900
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	5.1 GHz+19%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+16%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	16 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Rocket Lake (2021)
PassMark	13,029	22,422+72%
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1200 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-11900
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) / not specified (Core i9-11900). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-11900
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Gaming	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the Core i9-11900 came in at $439. On launch pricing ($160 vs $439), Core i5-10400F was $279 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 51.1 pts/$ for the Core i9-11900 — making the Core i5-10400F the 45.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-11900
MSRP	$160-64%	$439
Performance per Dollar	81.4+59%	51.1
Release Date	2020	2021

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