Core i5-10400F vs Core Ultra 7 265KF

CPU

GPU

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020

Buy on Amazon

Core Ultra 7 265KF

20 Cores20 Thrd125 WWMax: 5.5 GHz2024

Buy on Amazon

Core i5-10400F vs Core Ultra 7 265KF Performance Spectrum

Core i5-10400F

6 / 12

13,029

0.0%

58,690

+350.5%

About PassMark

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 7 265KF 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 7 265KF: 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 $219 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $379 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core Ultra 7 265KF.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 7 265KF across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,191 vs 35,315).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 81.4 vs 154.9 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $379 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 7 265KF moves to LGA1851 and DDR5.

Core Ultra 7 265KF

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +53.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+150% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Delivers 90.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 154.9 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($379 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

❌
136.9% HIGHER MSRP
$379 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 Ultra 7 265KF better than Core i5-10400F?

Yes. Core Ultra 7 265KF is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 53.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 331.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 350.5% 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 7 265KF is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 53.4% 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 7 265KF is the stronger fit. You are getting 331.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 20 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 150% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core Ultra 7 265KF is the better buy right now. Core Ultra 7 265KF comes in 136.9% more expensive on MSRP at $379 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 53.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 90.2% better value on MSRP (154.9 vs 81.4 PassMark/$), 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 7 265KF makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2020), a healthier platform with LGA1851 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, 150% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 20 cores / 20 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 7 265KF 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 7 265KF

The Core Ultra 7 265KF is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 October 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) architecture. It features 20 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 5.5 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1851. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 58,690 points. Launch price was $379.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 265KF offers 20 cores / 20 threads — the Core Ultra 7 265KF has 14 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 5.5 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 265KF — a 24.5% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 265KF (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.9 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 265KF uses Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Core Ultra 7 265KF's 58,690 — a 127.3% lead for the Core Ultra 7 265KF. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 8,191 vs 35,315 (124.7% advantage for the Core Ultra 7 265KF). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 3,055, a 71% lead for the Core Ultra 7 265KF that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 20,373 (111.6% advantage for the Core Ultra 7 265KF). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 30 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 265KF.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core Ultra 7 265KF
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	20 / 20+233%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	5.5 GHz+28%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	3.9 GHz+34%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	30 MB (total)+150%
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	58,690+350%
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191	35,315+331%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454	3,055+110%
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783	20,373+252%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core Ultra 7 265KF 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 7 265KF — the Core Ultra 7 265KF supports 140.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core Ultra 7 265KF supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 24 (Core Ultra 7 265KF) — the Core Ultra 7 265KF offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and Intel Z890 (Core Ultra 7 265KF).

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core Ultra 7 265KF
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	192 GB+50%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	24+50%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core Ultra 7 265KF 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 Ultra 7 265KF). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600; Core Ultra 7 265KF rivals Ryzen 7 9700X.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core Ultra 7 265KF
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	true
Target Use	Gaming	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the Core Ultra 7 265KF came in at $379. On launch pricing ($160 vs $379), Core i5-10400F was $219 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 154.9 pts/$ for the Core Ultra 7 265KF — making the Core Ultra 7 265KF the 62.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core Ultra 7 265KF
MSRP	$160-58%	$379
Performance per Dollar	81.4	154.9+90%
Release Date	2020	2024

Search Core i5-10400F on Amazon

Search Core Ultra 7 265KF on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.