Core i5-10400F vs EPYC 7543P

CPU

GPU

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020

Core family

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EPYC 7543P

32 Cores64 Thrd225 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2021

EPYC family

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Core i5-10400F vs EPYC 7543P Performance Spectrum

Core i5-10400F

6 / 12

13,029

0.0%

66,590

+411.1%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX

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 EPYC 7543P 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 EPYC 7543P: 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 $2,570 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $2,730 MSRP).
✅Delivers 233.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 24.4 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $2,730 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 225W, a 160W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike EPYC 7543P.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 7543P across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (13,029 vs 66,590).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7543P, which brings 32 cores / 64 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

EPYC 7543P

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +22.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 32 cores / 64 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 24.4 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($2,730 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
❌246.2% higher power demand at 225W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 7543P better than Core i5-10400F?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. EPYC 7543P makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-10400F is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, EPYC 7543P is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 22.5% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests. It also has a clear cache advantage at 256 MB versus 12 MB.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7543P is the stronger fit. You are getting 411.1% better PassMark, backed by 32 cores and 64 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 2033.3% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 12 MB).

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

EPYC 7543P is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-10400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. EPYC 7543P comes in 1606.3% more expensive on MSRP at $2,730 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 22.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-10400F is also 233.8% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 24.4 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

EPYC 7543P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2020), 3D V-Cache and a much larger 256 MB L3 cache instead of 12 MB, and more multi-core headroom with 32 cores / 64 threads instead of 6/12. That extra cache should keep paying off in CPU-limited games and high-refresh builds.

Core i5-10400F vs EPYC 7543P 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.

EPYC 7543P

The EPYC 7543P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 15 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Milan (2021−2023) architecture. It features 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm+ process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 225 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 66,590 points. Launch price was $2,730.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the EPYC 7543P offers 32 cores / 64 threads — the EPYC 7543P has 26 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 7543P — a 15% 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 7543P uses Milan (2021−2023) (7 nm+). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the EPYC 7543P's 66,590 — a 134.5% lead for the EPYC 7543P. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 7543P.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	EPYC 7543P
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	32 / 64+433%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+16%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+4%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	256 MB (total)+2033%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	7 nm+-50%
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Milan (2021−2023)
PassMark	13,029	66,590+411%
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the EPYC 7543P uses SP3 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus 3200 on the EPYC 7543P — the EPYC 7543P supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 7543P supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 3100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-10400F) vs 8 (EPYC 7543P). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 128 (EPYC 7543P) — the EPYC 7543P 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 (EPYC 7543P).

Feature	Core i5-10400F	EPYC 7543P
Socket	LGA1200	SP3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	3200+20%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	4096 GB+3100%
RAM Channels	2	8+300%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	128+700%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600; EPYC 7543P rivals Xeon Platinum 8380.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	EPYC 7543P
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the EPYC 7543P came in at $2730. On launch pricing ($160 vs $2730), Core i5-10400F was $2570 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 24.4 pts/$ for the EPYC 7543P — making the Core i5-10400F the 107.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	EPYC 7543P
MSRP	$160-94%	$2730
Performance per Dollar	81.4+234%	24.4
Release Date	2020	2021

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