Core i5-10400F vs EPYC 7402

Intel

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020

Popular choices:

VS
AMD

EPYC 7402

24 Cores48 Thrd180 WWMax: 3.35 GHz2019

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 $1,623 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $1,783 MSRP).
  • Delivers 215.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 25.8 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $1,783 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 180W, a 115W reduction.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike EPYC 7402.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 7402 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,191 vs 28,546).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 32 MB).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7402, which brings 24 cores / 48 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

EPYC 7402

2019

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +10.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 24 cores / 48 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 16.
  • 700% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 25.8 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($1,783 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
  • 176.9% higher power demand at 180W vs 65W.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 7402 better than Core i5-10400F?
Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. EPYC 7402 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 7402 is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 10.7% 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, EPYC 7402 is the better fit. You are getting 248.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
EPYC 7402 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-10400F makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. EPYC 7402 is 1014.4% more expensive on MSRP at $1,783 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it gives you a 10.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-10400F is also 215.6% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 25.8 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-10400F is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2019). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

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 7402
1080p
low192 FPS158 FPS
medium152 FPS131 FPS
high123 FPS110 FPS
ultra100 FPS87 FPS
1440p
low153 FPS132 FPS
medium119 FPS107 FPS
high97 FPS87 FPS
ultra79 FPS69 FPS
4K
low82 FPS64 FPS
medium70 FPS55 FPS
high55 FPS43 FPS
ultra43 FPS34 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetCore i5-10400FEPYC 7402
1080p
low326 FPS358 FPS
medium318 FPS315 FPS
high290 FPS263 FPS
ultra253 FPS213 FPS
1440p
low326 FPS303 FPS
medium292 FPS276 FPS
high267 FPS236 FPS
ultra234 FPS188 FPS
4K
low309 FPS195 FPS
medium258 FPS179 FPS
high235 FPS153 FPS
ultra199 FPS123 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetCore i5-10400FEPYC 7402
1080p
low326 FPS645 FPS
medium326 FPS526 FPS
high326 FPS468 FPS
ultra326 FPS410 FPS
1440p
low326 FPS499 FPS
medium326 FPS406 FPS
high326 FPS355 FPS
ultra326 FPS307 FPS
4K
low326 FPS369 FPS
medium326 FPS287 FPS
high289 FPS245 FPS
ultra229 FPS196 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetCore i5-10400FEPYC 7402
1080p
low326 FPS820 FPS
medium326 FPS746 FPS
high326 FPS646 FPS
ultra326 FPS568 FPS
1440p
low326 FPS657 FPS
medium326 FPS572 FPS
high326 FPS492 FPS
ultra326 FPS422 FPS
4K
low326 FPS448 FPS
medium326 FPS402 FPS
high326 FPS359 FPS
ultra326 FPS312 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-10400F and EPYC 7402

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 7402

The EPYC 7402 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.35 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm, 14 nm process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 180 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Eight-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 46,012 points. Launch price was $1,783.

Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the EPYC 7402 offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the EPYC 7402 has 18 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 3.35 GHz on the EPYC 7402 — a 24.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the EPYC 7402 uses Zen 2 (2017−2020) (7 nm, 14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the EPYC 7402's 46,012 — a 111.7% lead for the EPYC 7402. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 8,191 vs 28,546 (110.8% advantage for the EPYC 7402). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 1,299, a 11.3% lead for the Core i5-10400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 12,622 (74.3% advantage for the EPYC 7402). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 32 MB (total) on the EPYC 7402.

FeatureCore i5-10400FEPYC 7402
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
24 / 48+300%
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz+28%
3.35 GHz
Base Clock
2.9 GHz+4%
2.8 GHz
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
32 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
512 kB (per core)+100%
Process
14 nm
7 nm, 14 nm-50%
Architecture
Comet Lake (2020−2025)
Zen 2 (2017−2020)
PassMark
13,029
46,012+253%
Cinebench R23 Multi
8,191
28,546+249%
Geekbench 6 Single
1,454+12%
1,299
Geekbench 6 Multi
5,783
12,622+118%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the EPYC 7402 uses SP3 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. The EPYC 7402 supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB 187.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-10400F) vs 8 (EPYC 7402). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 128 (EPYC 7402) — the EPYC 7402 offers 112 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and SP3,Rome (EPYC 7402).

FeatureCore i5-10400FEPYC 7402
Socket
LGA1200
SP3
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
4096 GB+3100%
RAM Channels
2
8+300%
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16
128+700%
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) vs AMD-V, SEV, IOMMU (EPYC 7402). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, EPYC 7402 targets Server / Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600; EPYC 7402 rivals Xeon Gold 6242.

FeatureCore i5-10400FEPYC 7402
Integrated GPU
No
No
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
AMD-V, SEV, IOMMU
Target Use
Gaming
Server / Workstation
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-10400F launched at $160 MSRP, while the EPYC 7402 debuted at $1783. On MSRP ($160 vs $1783), the Core i5-10400F is $1623 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 25.8 pts/$ for the EPYC 7402 — making the Core i5-10400F the 103.7% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-10400FEPYC 7402
MSRP
$160-91%
$1783
Performance per Dollar
81.4+216%
25.8
Release Date
2020
2019