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 $404 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $564 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i9-14900KF.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-14900KF across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,191 vs 42,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 36 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 81.4 vs 103.4 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $564 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i9-14900KF moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i9-14900KF

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +92.4% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Delivers 27.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 103.4 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($564 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

❌
252.5% HIGHER MSRP
$564 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 i9-14900KF

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $404 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $564 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i9-14900KF.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +92.4% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Delivers 27.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 103.4 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($564 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 i9-14900KF across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,191 vs 42,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 36 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 81.4 vs 103.4 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $564 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i9-14900KF moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Trade-offs

❌
252.5% HIGHER MSRP
$564 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 i9-14900KF better than Core i5-10400F?

Yes. Core i9-14900KF is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 92.4% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data, 412.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 347.7% 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 i9-14900KF is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 92.4% 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 i9-14900KF is the better fit. You are getting 412.8% 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 i9-14900KF is the smarter buy today. Core i9-14900KF is 252.5% more expensive on MSRP at $564 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it gives you a 92.4% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 27.0% better value on MSRP (103.4 vs 81.4 PassMark/$), 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 i9-14900KF 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, 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 i9-14900KF Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-14900KF
1080p
low	192 FPS	325 FPS
medium	152 FPS	314 FPS
high	123 FPS	246 FPS
ultra	100 FPS	207 FPS
1440p
low	153 FPS	281 FPS
medium	119 FPS	241 FPS
high	97 FPS	177 FPS
ultra	79 FPS	156 FPS
4K
low	82 FPS	194 FPS
medium	70 FPS	165 FPS
high	55 FPS	122 FPS
ultra	43 FPS	110 FPS

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

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-14900KF
1080p
low	326 FPS	792 FPS
medium	318 FPS	688 FPS
high	290 FPS	550 FPS
ultra	253 FPS	488 FPS
1440p
low	326 FPS	664 FPS
medium	292 FPS	597 FPS
high	267 FPS	490 FPS
ultra	234 FPS	400 FPS
4K
low	309 FPS	369 FPS
medium	258 FPS	336 FPS
high	235 FPS	312 FPS
ultra	199 FPS	275 FPS

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

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-14900KF
1080p
low	326 FPS	794 FPS
medium	326 FPS	660 FPS
high	326 FPS	572 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	493 FPS
1440p
low	326 FPS	711 FPS
medium	326 FPS	599 FPS
high	326 FPS	512 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	450 FPS
4K
low	326 FPS	522 FPS
medium	326 FPS	463 FPS
high	289 FPS	412 FPS
ultra	229 FPS	352 FPS

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

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-14900KF
1080p
low	326 FPS	1091 FPS
medium	326 FPS	975 FPS
high	326 FPS	853 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	760 FPS
1440p
low	326 FPS	900 FPS
medium	326 FPS	791 FPS
high	326 FPS	690 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	607 FPS
4K
low	326 FPS	662 FPS
medium	326 FPS	592 FPS
high	326 FPS	523 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	437 FPS

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

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

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

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 i9-14900KF

The Core i9-14900KF 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 24 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.8 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): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 58,333 points. Launch price was $564.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i9-14900KF offers 24 cores / 32 threads — the Core i9-14900KF has 18 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 5.8 GHz on the Core i9-14900KF — a 29.7% clock advantage for the Core i9-14900KF (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i9-14900KF uses Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Core i9-14900KF's 58,333 — a 127% lead for the Core i9-14900KF. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 8,191 vs 42,000 (134.7% advantage for the Core i9-14900KF). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 3,322, a 78.2% lead for the Core i9-14900KF that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 23,051 (119.8% advantage for the Core i9-14900KF). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-14900KF.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-14900KF
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	24 / 32+300%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	5.8 GHz+35%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	3.2 GHz+10%
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	58,333+348%
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191	42,000+413%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454	3,322+128%
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783	23,051+299%

🧠

Memory & Platform

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

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-14900KF
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 i9-14900KF has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) vs true (Core i9-14900KF). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600; Core i9-14900KF rivals Ryzen 9 7950X.

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

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-10400F launched at $160 MSRP, while the Core i9-14900KF debuted at $564. On MSRP ($160 vs $564), the Core i5-10400F is $404 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 103.4 pts/$ for the Core i9-14900KF — making the Core i9-14900KF the 23.8% better value option.