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 i9-7980XE 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 i9-7980XE: 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 $1,839 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $1,999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 449.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 14.8 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $1,999 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 165W, a 100W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i9-7980XE.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-7980XE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (13,029 vs 29,634).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 25 MB).

Core i9-7980XE

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+106.3% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 12 MB).
✅175% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.8 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($1,999 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
❌153.8% higher power demand at 165W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-7980XE better than Core i5-10400F?

Yes. Core i9-7980XE is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 10.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 127.4% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-7980XE is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 10.0% 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 i9-7980XE is the stronger fit. You are getting 127.4% better PassMark, backed by 18 cores and 36 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 106.3% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i9-7980XE is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-10400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-7980XE comes in 1149.4% more expensive on MSRP at $1,999 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-10400F is also 449.3% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 14.8 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds 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 i5-10400F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2017). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-10400F vs Core i9-7980XE 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 i9-7980XE

The Core i9-7980XE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 24.75 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 29,634 points. Launch price was $1,999.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i9-7980XE offers 18 cores / 36 threads — the Core i9-7980XE has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i9-7980XE — a 2.3% clock advantage for the Core i9-7980XE (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i9-7980XE uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Core i9-7980XE's 29,634 — a 77.8% lead for the Core i9-7980XE. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 24.75 MB (total) on the Core i9-7980XE.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-7980XE
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	18 / 36+200%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	4.4 GHz+2%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+12%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	24.75 MB (total)+106%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	13,029	29,634+127%
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i9-7980XE uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-10400F) vs 4 (Core i9-7980XE). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 44 (Core i9-7980XE) — the Core i9-7980XE offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-7980XE
Socket	LGA1200	LGA2066
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	44+175%

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i9-7980XE has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i9-7980XE supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, Core i9-7980XE targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-7980XE
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming	Workstation

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the Core i9-7980XE came in at $1999. On launch pricing ($160 vs $1999), Core i5-10400F was $1839 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 14.8 pts/$ for the Core i9-7980XE — making the Core i5-10400F the 138.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i9-7980XE
MSRP	$160-92%	$1999
Performance per Dollar	81.4+450%	14.8
Release Date	2020	2017

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