Core i5-10400F
EPYC 9255
Core i5-10400F vs EPYC 9255 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 9255 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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Among Us
Apex Legends
ARC Raiders
Baldur's Gate 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Core i5-10400F vs EPYC 9255: 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
2020Why buy it
- ✅Costs $2,335 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $2,495 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 168.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 30.4 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $2,495 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 65W instead of 200W, a 135W reduction.
- ✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike EPYC 9255.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 9255 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower PassMark (13,029 vs 75,809).
- ❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 9255, which brings 24 cores / 48 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.
- ❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while EPYC 9255 moves to SP5 and DDR5.
EPYC 9255
2024Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +45.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 24 cores / 48 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 16.
- ✅Newer platform on SP5 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
- ✅700% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 30.4 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($2,495 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
- ❌207.7% higher power demand at 200W vs 65W.
- ❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.
Quick Answers
So, is EPYC 9255 better than Core i5-10400F?
Which one is better for gaming?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-10400F vs EPYC 9255 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 9255
The EPYC 9255 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 October 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Turin (2024) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 3.25 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 128 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 200 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 75,809 points. Launch price was $2,495.
Processing Power
The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the EPYC 9255 offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the EPYC 9255 has 18 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 4.8 GHz on the EPYC 9255 — a 11% clock advantage for the EPYC 9255 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.25 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the EPYC 9255 uses Turin (2024) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the EPYC 9255's 75,809 — a 141.3% lead for the EPYC 9255. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 128 MB (total) on the EPYC 9255.
| Feature | Core i5-10400F | EPYC 9255 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 24 / 48+300% |
| Boost Clock | 4.3 GHz | 4.8 GHz+12% |
| Base Clock | 2.9 GHz | 3.25 GHz+12% |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total) | 128 MB (total)+967% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core)+25500% | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 4 nm-71% |
| Architecture | Comet Lake (2020−2025) | Turin (2024) |
| PassMark | 13,029 | 75,809+482% |
| 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 9255 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 9255 — the EPYC 9255 supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 9255 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 9255). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 128 (EPYC 9255) — the EPYC 9255 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 9255).
| Feature | Core i5-10400F | EPYC 9255 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 9255 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, SEV-SNP (EPYC 9255). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600; EPYC 9255 rivals Xeon Platinum 8480+.
| Feature | Core i5-10400F | EPYC 9255 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | — | None |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d, SEV-SNP |
| Target Use | Gaming | — |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the EPYC 9255 came in at $2495. On launch pricing ($160 vs $2495), Core i5-10400F was $2335 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 30.4 pts/$ for the EPYC 9255 — making the Core i5-10400F the 91.3% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-10400F | EPYC 9255 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $160-94% | $2495 |
| Performance per Dollar | 81.4+168% | 30.4 |
| Release Date | 2020 | 2024 |
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