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 Ultra 5 225F 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 Ultra 5 225F: 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 $71 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $231 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core Ultra 5 225F.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 225F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,191 vs 17,050).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 81.4 vs 136.5 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $231 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 225F moves to LGA1851 and DDR5.

Core Ultra 5 225F

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +34.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Delivers 67.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 136.5 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($231 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1851 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
44.4% HIGHER MSRP
$231 MSRPvs$160 MSRP
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 225F better than Core i5-10400F?

Yes. Core Ultra 5 225F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 34.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 108.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 142.1% higher 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 Ultra 5 225F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 34.1% 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 Ultra 5 225F is the stronger fit. You are getting 108.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 10 cores and 10 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core Ultra 5 225F is the better buy right now. Core Ultra 5 225F comes in 44.4% more expensive on MSRP at $231 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 34.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 67.7% better value on MSRP (136.5 vs 81.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit 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 Ultra 5 225F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2020), a healthier platform with LGA1851 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, 66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 10 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-10400F vs Core Ultra 5 225F 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 Ultra 5 225F

The Core Ultra 5 225F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) architecture. It features 10 cores and 10 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1851. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 31,541 points. Launch price was $231.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 225F offers 10 cores / 10 threads — the Core Ultra 5 225F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 4.9 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 225F — a 13% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225F (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 225F uses Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Core Ultra 5 225F's 31,541 — a 83.1% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 8,191 vs 17,050 (70.2% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 2,653, a 58.4% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 13,028 (77% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225F). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 20 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 225F.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core Ultra 5 225F
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	10 / 10+67%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	4.9 GHz+14%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	3.3 GHz+14%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	20 MB (total)+67%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+8433%	3 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	3 nm-79%
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025)
PassMark	13,029	31,541+142%
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191	17,050+108%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454	2,653+82%
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783	13,028+125%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core Ultra 5 225F uses LGA1851 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 5 225F — the Core Ultra 5 225F supports 140.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core Ultra 5 225F supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 24 (Core Ultra 5 225F) — the Core Ultra 5 225F offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and Z890,B860 (Core Ultra 5 225F).

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core Ultra 5 225F
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1851
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR5-6400+140%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	256 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	24+50%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core Ultra 5 225F 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. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core Ultra 5 225F
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	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 Ultra 5 225F came in at $231. On launch pricing ($160 vs $231), Core i5-10400F was $71 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 136.5 pts/$ for the Core Ultra 5 225F — making the Core Ultra 5 225F the 50.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core Ultra 5 225F
MSRP	$160-31%	$231
Performance per Dollar	81.4	136.5+68%
Release Date	2020	2025

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