Core i5-10400F vs EPYC 4545P

Intel

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020

Popular choices:

VS
AMD

EPYC 4545P

16 Cores32 Thrd65 WWMax: 5.4 GHz2025

Popular choices:

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i5-10400F

2020

Why buy it

  • Costs $389 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike EPYC 4545P.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 4545P across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (13,029 vs 54,255).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 64 MB).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 4545P, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads and 28 PCIe lanes.
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 81.4 vs 98.8 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).

EPYC 4545P

2025

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +82.3% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +433.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 12 MB).
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads, plus 28 PCIe lanes vs 16.
  • Delivers 21.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 98.8 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($549 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
  • Newer platform on AM5 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • 243.1% HIGHER MSRP
    $549 MSRPvs$160 MSRP
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 4545P better than Core i5-10400F?
Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. EPYC 4545P makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-10400F is the better mainstream desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and day-to-day practicality.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, EPYC 4545P is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 82.3% more average FPS across 3 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 4545P is the better fit. You are getting 316.4% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 433.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
EPYC 4545P is the smarter buy today. EPYC 4545P is 243.1% more expensive on MSRP at $549 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it gives you a 82.3% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 21.4% better value on MSRP (98.8 vs 81.4 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
EPYC 4545P is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2020), a healthier platform with AM5 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, 433.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 12 MB), more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 32 threads instead of 6/12, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetCore i5-10400FEPYC 4545P
1080p
low192 FPS286 FPS
medium152 FPS262 FPS
high123 FPS215 FPS
ultra100 FPS181 FPS
1440p
low153 FPS262 FPS
medium119 FPS218 FPS
high97 FPS167 FPS
ultra79 FPS148 FPS
4K
low82 FPS182 FPS
medium70 FPS151 FPS
high55 FPS115 FPS
ultra43 FPS102 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetCore i5-10400FEPYC 4545P
1080p
low326 FPS674 FPS
medium318 FPS580 FPS
high290 FPS434 FPS
ultra253 FPS375 FPS
1440p
low326 FPS567 FPS
medium292 FPS506 FPS
high267 FPS392 FPS
ultra234 FPS312 FPS
4K
low309 FPS320 FPS
medium258 FPS289 FPS
high235 FPS255 FPS
ultra199 FPS219 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetCore i5-10400FEPYC 4545P
1080p
low326 FPS850 FPS
medium326 FPS679 FPS
high326 FPS601 FPS
ultra326 FPS515 FPS
1440p
low326 FPS679 FPS
medium326 FPS543 FPS
high326 FPS469 FPS
ultra326 FPS398 FPS
4K
low326 FPS484 FPS
medium326 FPS401 FPS
high289 FPS360 FPS
ultra229 FPS302 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetCore i5-10400FEPYC 4545P
1080p
low326 FPS1072 FPS
medium326 FPS966 FPS
high326 FPS843 FPS
ultra326 FPS760 FPS
1440p
low326 FPS842 FPS
medium326 FPS747 FPS
high326 FPS652 FPS
ultra326 FPS566 FPS
4K
low326 FPS619 FPS
medium326 FPS553 FPS
high326 FPS487 FPS
ultra326 FPS421 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-10400F and EPYC 4545P

Intel

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.

AMD

EPYC 4545P

The EPYC 4545P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 13 May 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Grado (2025) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 54,255 points. Launch price was $549.

Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the EPYC 4545P offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the EPYC 4545P has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 5.4 GHz on the EPYC 4545P — a 22.7% clock advantage for the EPYC 4545P (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the EPYC 4545P uses Grado (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the EPYC 4545P's 54,255 — a 122.5% lead for the EPYC 4545P. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 4545P.

FeatureCore i5-10400FEPYC 4545P
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
16 / 32+167%
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz
5.4 GHz+26%
Base Clock
2.9 GHz
3 GHz+3%
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
64 MB (total)+433%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
1 MB (per core)+300%
Process
14 nm
4 nm-71%
Architecture
Comet Lake (2020−2025)
Grado (2025)
PassMark
13,029
54,255+316%
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 EPYC 4545P uses AM5 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus 5600 on the EPYC 4545P — the EPYC 4545P supports 199.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 4545P supports up to 192 of RAM compared to 128 GB 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 28 (EPYC 4545P) — the EPYC 4545P offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and AM5 (EPYC 4545P).

FeatureCore i5-10400FEPYC 4545P
Socket
LGA1200
AM5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
5600+139900%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB+69904967%
192
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16
28+75%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the EPYC 4545P has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the EPYC 4545P supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) vs VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (EPYC 4545P). The EPYC 4545P includes integrated graphics (AMD Radeon Graphics), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600; EPYC 4545P rivals Ryzen 9 7900X.

FeatureCore i5-10400FEPYC 4545P
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
AMD Radeon Graphics
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V
Target Use
Gaming
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-10400F launched at $160 MSRP, while the EPYC 4545P debuted at $549. On MSRP ($160 vs $549), the Core i5-10400F is $389 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 98.8 pts/$ for the EPYC 4545P — making the EPYC 4545P the 19.3% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-10400FEPYC 4545P
MSRP
$160-71%
$549
Performance per Dollar
81.4
98.8+21%
Release Date
2020
2025