Core i5-10400F vs Core Ultra 9 185H

CPU

GPU

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020

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Core Ultra 9 185H

16 Cores22 Thrd0 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2023

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Core i5-10400F vs Core Ultra 9 185H Performance Spectrum

Core i5-10400F

6 / 12

13,029

0.0%

29,360

+125.3%

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 9 185H 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 9 185H: 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

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 9 185H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,191 vs 18,030).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $160 MSRP, while Core Ultra 9 185H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 9 185H moves to FCBGA2049 and DDR5.

Core Ultra 9 185H

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +50.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2049 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅75% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Arc Graphics (8 Xe-cores), while Core i5-10400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 9 185H better than Core i5-10400F?

Yes. Core Ultra 9 185H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 50.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 120.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 125.3% 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 9 185H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 50.8% 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 9 185H is the stronger fit. You are getting 120.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 16 cores and 22 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core Ultra 9 185H is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-10400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core Ultra 9 185H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 50.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-10400F is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core Ultra 9 185H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2020), a healthier platform with FCBGA2049 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, 100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 22 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 9 185H 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 9 185H

The Core Ultra 9 185H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake-H (2023) architecture. It features 16 cores and 22 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): + 24 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 29,360 points. Launch price was $640.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 9 185H offers 16 cores / 22 threads — the Core Ultra 9 185H has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 5.1 GHz on the Core Ultra 9 185H — a 17% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 9 185H (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 9 185H uses Meteor Lake-H (2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Core Ultra 9 185H's 29,360 — a 77.1% lead for the Core Ultra 9 185H. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 8,191 vs 18,030 (75% advantage for the Core Ultra 9 185H). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 2,700, a 60% lead for the Core Ultra 9 185H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 17,000 (98.5% advantage for the Core Ultra 9 185H). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 24 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 9 185H.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core Ultra 9 185H
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	16 / 22+167%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	5.1 GHz+19%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	3.9 GHz+34%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	24 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	7 nm-50%
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Meteor Lake-H (2023)
PassMark	13,029	29,360+125%
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191	18,030+120%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454	2,700+86%
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783	17,000+194%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core Ultra 9 185H uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus LPDDR5x-7467, DDR5-5600 on the Core Ultra 9 185H — the Core Ultra 9 185H supports 180.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-10400F supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 96 GB — 33.3% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 28 (Core Ultra 9 185H) — the Core Ultra 9 185H offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and Meteor Lake SoC (Core Ultra 9 185H).

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core Ultra 9 185H
Socket	LGA1200	FCBGA2049
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	LPDDR5x-7467, DDR5-5600+180%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+33%	96 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	28+75%

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core Ultra 9 185H). The Core Ultra 9 185H includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc Graphics (8 Xe-cores)), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, Core Ultra 9 185H targets Mainstream Performance / AI Workloads. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600; Core Ultra 9 185H rivals Ryzen 9 8945HS.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core Ultra 9 185H
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel Arc Graphics (8 Xe-cores)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Gaming	Mainstream Performance / AI Workloads