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 $364 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $524 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-14900 across 8 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,191 vs 36,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 36 MB).
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i9-14900 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-14900 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i9-14900

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +55.3% higher average FPS across 8 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 12 MB).
✅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.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD 770, while Core i5-10400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌
227.5% HIGHER MSRP
$524 MSRPvs$160 MSRP

Core i5-10400F

2020

Core i9-14900

2024

Why buy it

✅Costs $364 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $524 MSRP).

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +55.3% higher average FPS across 8 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 12 MB).
✅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.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD 770, while Core i5-10400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-14900 across 8 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,191 vs 36,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 36 MB).
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i9-14900 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-14900 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌
227.5% HIGHER MSRP
$524 MSRPvs$160 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-14900 better than Core i5-10400F?

Yes. Core i9-14900 is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 55.3% average FPS lead across 8 shared CPU game tests in our data, 339.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 247.8% 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 i9-14900 is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 55.3% more average FPS across 8 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-14900 is the better fit. You are getting 339.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 24 cores and 32 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i9-14900 is the smarter buy today. Core i9-14900 is 227.5% more expensive on MSRP at $524 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it gives you a 55.3% average FPS lead across 8 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 6.2% better value on MSRP (86.5 vs 81.4 PassMark/$), 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 i9-14900 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2020), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, 200% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 32 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 i9-14900 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-14900
1080p
low	192 FPS	318 FPS
medium	152 FPS	309 FPS
high	123 FPS	244 FPS
ultra	100 FPS	206 FPS
1440p
low	153 FPS	276 FPS
medium	119 FPS	238 FPS
high	97 FPS	176 FPS
ultra	79 FPS	155 FPS
4K
low	82 FPS	190 FPS
medium	70 FPS	162 FPS
high	55 FPS	121 FPS
ultra	43 FPS	109 FPS

Open Core i5-10400F Open Core i9-14900

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-14900
1080p
low	326 FPS	497 FPS
medium	318 FPS	436 FPS
high	290 FPS	355 FPS
ultra	253 FPS	314 FPS
1440p
low	326 FPS	422 FPS
medium	292 FPS	381 FPS
high	267 FPS	317 FPS
ultra	234 FPS	258 FPS
4K
low	309 FPS	236 FPS
medium	258 FPS	217 FPS
high	235 FPS	206 FPS
ultra	199 FPS	180 FPS

Open Core i5-10400F Open Core i9-14900

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-14900
1080p
low	326 FPS	760 FPS
medium	326 FPS	624 FPS
high	326 FPS	541 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	465 FPS
1440p
low	326 FPS	680 FPS
medium	326 FPS	567 FPS
high	326 FPS	485 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	424 FPS
4K
low	326 FPS	500 FPS
medium	326 FPS	439 FPS
high	289 FPS	391 FPS
ultra	229 FPS	334 FPS

Open Core i5-10400F Open Core i9-14900

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-14900
1080p
low	326 FPS	990 FPS
medium	326 FPS	886 FPS
high	326 FPS	774 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	688 FPS
1440p
low	326 FPS	821 FPS
medium	326 FPS	723 FPS
high	326 FPS	631 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	555 FPS
4K
low	326 FPS	606 FPS
medium	326 FPS	543 FPS
high	326 FPS	480 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	421 FPS

Open Core i5-10400F Open Core i9-14900

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-10400F and Core i9-14900

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 i9-14900

The Core i9-14900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture. It features 24 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 5.6 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 45,321 points. Launch price was $549.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i9-14900 offers 24 cores / 32 threads — the Core i9-14900 has 18 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 5.6 GHz on the Core i9-14900 — a 26.3% clock advantage for the Core i9-14900 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i9-14900 uses Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Core i9-14900's 45,321 — a 110.7% lead for the Core i9-14900. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 8,191 vs 36,000 (125.9% advantage for the Core i9-14900). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 3,000, a 69.4% lead for the Core i9-14900 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 20,000 (110.3% advantage for the Core i9-14900). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-14900.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-14900
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	24 / 32+300%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	5.6 GHz+30%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+45%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	36 MB (total)+200%
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	45,321+248%
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191	36,000+340%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454	3,000+106%
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783	20,000+246%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i9-14900 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 i9-14900 — the Core i9-14900 supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-14900 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 i9-14900) — the Core i9-14900 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and H610,B660,Z690,B760,Z790 (Core i9-14900).

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-14900
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

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i9-14900 includes integrated graphics (UHD 770), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, Core i9-14900 targets Enthusiast. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600; Core i9-14900 rivals Ryzen 9 7900.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-14900
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD 770
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming	Enthusiast

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-10400F launched at $160 MSRP, while the Core i9-14900 debuted at $524. On MSRP ($160 vs $524), the Core i5-10400F is $364 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 86.5 pts/$ for the Core i9-14900 — making the Core i9-14900 the 6% better value option.