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 $508 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $668 MSRP).
✅Delivers 21.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 66.9 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $668 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-14900HX across 7 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,191 vs 35,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 36 MB).
❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i9-14900HX moves to FCBGA1964 and DDR5.

Core i9-14900HX

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +64.1% higher average FPS across 7 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1964 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 66.9 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($668 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).

Core i5-10400F

2020

Core i9-14900HX

2024

Why buy it

✅Costs $508 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $668 MSRP).
✅Delivers 21.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 66.9 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $668 MSRP).

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +64.1% higher average FPS across 7 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1964 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 i9-14900HX across 7 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,191 vs 35,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 36 MB).
❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i9-14900HX moves to FCBGA1964 and DDR5.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 66.9 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($668 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).

Quick Answers

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

Yes. Core i9-14900HX is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 64.1% average FPS lead across 7 shared CPU game tests in our data, 327.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 243.0% 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 i9-14900HX is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 64.1% more average FPS across 7 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-14900HX is the better fit. You are getting 327.3% 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 i9-14900HX is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-10400F makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i9-14900HX is 317.5% more expensive on MSRP at $668 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it gives you a 64.1% average FPS lead across 7 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-10400F is also 21.7% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 66.9 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i9-14900HX is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2020), a healthier platform with FCBGA1964 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 i9-14900HX Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-14900HX
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 i9-14900HX

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-14900HX
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 i9-14900HX

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-14900HX
1080p
low	326 FPS	761 FPS
medium	326 FPS	626 FPS
high	326 FPS	542 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	466 FPS
1440p
low	326 FPS	681 FPS
medium	326 FPS	568 FPS
high	326 FPS	486 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	425 FPS
4K
low	326 FPS	501 FPS
medium	326 FPS	439 FPS
high	289 FPS	392 FPS
ultra	229 FPS	334 FPS

Open Core i5-10400F Open Core i9-14900HX

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-14900HX
1080p
low	326 FPS	1001 FPS
medium	326 FPS	896 FPS
high	326 FPS	783 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	696 FPS
1440p
low	326 FPS	831 FPS
medium	326 FPS	731 FPS
high	326 FPS	639 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	561 FPS
4K
low	326 FPS	613 FPS
medium	326 FPS	549 FPS
high	326 FPS	485 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	425 FPS

Open Core i5-10400F Open Core i9-14900HX

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

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

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 i9-14900HX

The Core i9-14900HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-HX Refresh (2024) architecture. It features 24 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.7 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 44,685 points. Launch price was $499.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i9-14900HX offers 24 cores / 32 threads — the Core i9-14900HX has 18 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 5.7 GHz on the Core i9-14900HX — a 28% clock advantage for the Core i9-14900HX (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i9-14900HX uses Raptor Lake-HX Refresh (2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Core i9-14900HX's 44,685 — a 109.7% lead for the Core i9-14900HX. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 8,191 vs 35,000 (124.1% advantage for the Core i9-14900HX). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 3,000, a 69.4% lead for the Core i9-14900HX that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 17,500 (100.6% advantage for the Core i9-14900HX). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-14900HX.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-14900HX
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	24 / 32+300%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	5.7 GHz+33%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+32%	2.2 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-HX Refresh (2024)
PassMark	13,029	44,685+243%
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191	35,000+327%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454	3,000+106%
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783	17,500+203%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i9-14900HX uses FCBGA1964 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200 on the Core i9-14900HX — the Core i9-14900HX supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-14900HX 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 i9-14900HX) — the Core i9-14900HX offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and HM770,WM790 (Core i9-14900HX).

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-14900HX
Socket	LGA1200	FCBGA1964
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200+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 i9-14900HX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i9-14900HX). The Core i9-14900HX includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, Core i9-14900HX targets Flagship Gaming Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600; Core i9-14900HX rivals Ryzen 9 7945HX.

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

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-10400F launched at $160 MSRP, while the Core i9-14900HX debuted at $668. On MSRP ($160 vs $668), the Core i5-10400F is $508 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 66.9 pts/$ for the Core i9-14900HX — making the Core i5-10400F the 19.6% better value option.