Core i5-10400F vs EPYC 9174F

Intel

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020
Core family
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VS
AMD

EPYC 9174F

16 Cores32 Thrd320 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
EPYC family
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Core i5-10400F vs EPYC 9174F 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 9174F 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 9174F: 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 $34 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $194 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 320W, a 255W reduction.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike EPYC 9174F.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 9174F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (13,029 vs 52,249).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 9174F, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 81.4 vs 269.3 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $194 MSRP).
  • Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while EPYC 9174F moves to SP5 and DDR5.

EPYC 9174F

2022

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +67.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 16.
  • Delivers 230.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 269.3 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($194 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
  • Newer platform on SP5 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
  • 700% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • 21.3% HIGHER MSRP
    $194 MSRPvs$160 MSRP
  • 392.3% higher power demand at 320W vs 65W.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 9174F better than Core i5-10400F?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. EPYC 9174F 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 9174F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 67.5% 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 9174F is the stronger fit. You are getting 301% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 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 9174F is the better buy right now. EPYC 9174F comes in 21.3% more expensive on MSRP at $194 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 67.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 230.7% better value on MSRP (269.3 vs 81.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
EPYC 9174F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2020), a healthier platform with SP5 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, 3D V-Cache and a much larger 256 MB L3 cache instead of 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 9174F 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 9174F

The EPYC 9174F is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 November 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Genoa (2022−2023) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 4.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm, 6 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 320 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 52,249 points. Launch price was $3,850.

Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the EPYC 9174F offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the EPYC 9174F has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 4.4 GHz on the EPYC 9174F — a 2.3% clock advantage for the EPYC 9174F (base: 2.9 GHz vs 4.1 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the EPYC 9174F uses Genoa (2022−2023) (5 nm, 6 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the EPYC 9174F's 52,249 — a 120.2% lead for the EPYC 9174F. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 9174F.

FeatureCore i5-10400FEPYC 9174F
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
16 / 32+167%
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz
4.4 GHz+2%
Base Clock
2.9 GHz
4.1 GHz+41%
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
256 MB (total)+2033%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)+25500%
1 MB (per core)
Process
14 nm
5 nm, 6 nm-64%
Architecture
Comet Lake (2020−2025)
Genoa (2022−2023)
PassMark
13,029
52,249+301%
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 9174F uses SP5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus 4800 on the EPYC 9174F — the EPYC 9174F supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 9174F supports up to 6144 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB 4700% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-10400F) vs 12 (EPYC 9174F). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 128 (EPYC 9174F) — the EPYC 9174F offers 112 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and SP5 (EPYC 9174F).

FeatureCore i5-10400FEPYC 9174F
Socket
LGA1200
SP5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
4800+80%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
6144 GB+4700%
RAM Channels
2
12+500%
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16
128+700%
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the EPYC 9174F supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. 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 9174F rivals Xeon Platinum 8468.

FeatureCore i5-10400FEPYC 9174F
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Gaming
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the EPYC 9174F came in at $194. On launch pricing ($160 vs $194), Core i5-10400F was $34 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 269.3 pts/$ for the EPYC 9174F — making the EPYC 9174F the 107.1% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-10400FEPYC 9174F
MSRP
$160-18%
$194
Performance per Dollar
81.4
269.3+231%
Release Date
2020
2022

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