
Core i5-10400F

E-300
Core i5-10400F vs E-300 Performance Spectrum
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 E-300 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.

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Valorant

Among Us

Apex Legends

ARC Raiders

Baldur's Gate 3

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Core i5-10400F vs E-300: 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
2020Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +507.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅Delivers 315.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 19.6 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $60 MSRP).
- ✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
- ✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike E-300.
Trade-offs
- ❌166.7% HIGHER MSRP$160 MSRPvs$60 MSRP
- ❌261.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 18W.
- ❌No integrated graphics, while E-300 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
E-300
2011Why buy it
- ✅Costs $100 less on MSRP ($60 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 18W instead of 65W, a 47W reduction.
- ✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 6310, while Core i5-10400F needs a discrete GPU.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower PassMark (1,176 vs 13,029).
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.6 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($60 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
- ❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.
Quick Answers
So, is Core i5-10400F better than E-300?
Which one is better for gaming?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-10400F vs E-300 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.

E-300
The E-300 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 22 August 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Zacate (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 40 nm process technology. Socket: FT1. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,176 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the E-300 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Core i5-10400F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 1.3 GHz on the E-300 — a 107.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F. The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the E-300 uses Zacate (2011−2013) (40 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the E-300's 1,176 — a 166.9% lead for the Core i5-10400F. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 0 kB on the E-300.
| Feature | Core i5-10400F | E-300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12+200% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 4.3 GHz+231% | 1.3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.9 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 512K (per core)+100% |
| Process | 14 nm-65% | 40 nm |
| Architecture | Comet Lake (2020−2025) | Zacate (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 13,029+1008% | 1,176 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 8,191 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,454 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 5,783 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the E-300 uses FT1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus DDR3-1066 on the E-300 — the Core i5-10400F supports 150.1% 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 8 GB — 1500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-10400F) vs 1 (E-300). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 0 (E-300) — the Core i5-10400F offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core i5-10400F | E-300 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1200 | FT1 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666+150% | DDR3-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB+1500% | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2+100% | 1 |
| ECC Support | No | No |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) vs AMD-V (E-300). The E-300 includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6310), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, E-300 targets Budget Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.
| Feature | Core i5-10400F | E-300 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Radeon HD 6310 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Gaming | Budget Mobile |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the E-300 came in at $60. On launch pricing ($160 vs $60), E-300 was $100 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 19.6 pts/$ for the E-300 — making the Core i5-10400F the 122.4% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-10400F | E-300 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $160 | $60-63% |
| Performance per Dollar | 81.4+315% | 19.6 |
| Release Date | 2020 | 2011 |
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