Core i5-10400F vs EPYC 8124P

Intel

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020
Core family
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VS
AMD

EPYC 8124P

16 Cores32 Thrd125 WWMax: 3 GHz2023
EPYC family
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Core i5-10400F vs EPYC 8124P 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 EPYC 8124P 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 8124P: 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 $479 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $639 MSRP).
  • Delivers 44.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 56.5 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $639 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike EPYC 8124P.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 8124P across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (13,029 vs 36,079).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 64 MB).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 8124P, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads and 96 PCIe lanes.
  • Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while EPYC 8124P moves to SP6 and DDR5.

EPYC 8124P

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +21.8% higher average FPS across 50 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 96 PCIe lanes vs 16.
  • Newer platform on SP6 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
  • 500% more PCIe lanes (96 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 56.5 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($639 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
  • 92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 8124P better than Core i5-10400F?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. EPYC 8124P 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 8124P is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 21.8% 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, EPYC 8124P is the stronger fit. You are getting 176.9% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads. It also has 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 8124P is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-10400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. EPYC 8124P comes in 299.4% more expensive on MSRP at $639 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 21.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-10400F is also 44.2% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 56.5 PassMark/$), 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 8124P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2020), a healthier platform with SP6 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 gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-10400F vs EPYC 8124P Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

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 8124P

The EPYC 8124P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 18 September 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Siena (2023−2024) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.45 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: SP6. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 36,079 points. Launch price was $639.

Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the EPYC 8124P offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the EPYC 8124P has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 3 GHz on the EPYC 8124P — a 35.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.45 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the EPYC 8124P uses Siena (2023−2024) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the EPYC 8124P's 36,079 — a 93.9% lead for the EPYC 8124P. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 8124P.

FeatureCore i5-10400FEPYC 8124P
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
16 / 32+167%
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz+43%
3 GHz
Base Clock
2.9 GHz+18%
2.45 GHz
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
64 MB (total)+433%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)+25500%
1 MB (per core)
Process
14 nm
5 nm-64%
Architecture
Comet Lake (2020−2025)
Siena (2023−2024)
PassMark
13,029
36,079+177%
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 8124P uses SP6 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus 4800 on the EPYC 8124P — the EPYC 8124P supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 8124P supports up to 2048 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB 1500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-10400F) vs 6 (EPYC 8124P). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 96 (EPYC 8124P) — the EPYC 8124P offers 80 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and SP6 (EPYC 8124P).

FeatureCore i5-10400FEPYC 8124P
Socket
LGA1200
SP6
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
4800+80%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
2048 GB+1500%
RAM Channels
2
6+200%
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16
96+500%
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the EPYC 8124P supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) vs AMD-V, IOMMU (EPYC 8124P). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600; EPYC 8124P rivals Xeon Gold 6426Y.

FeatureCore i5-10400FEPYC 8124P
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
AMD-V, IOMMU
Target Use
Gaming
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the EPYC 8124P came in at $639. On launch pricing ($160 vs $639), Core i5-10400F was $479 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 56.5 pts/$ for the EPYC 8124P — making the Core i5-10400F the 36.2% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-10400FEPYC 8124P
MSRP
$160-75%
$639
Performance per Dollar
81.4+44%
56.5
Release Date
2020
2023

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