Core i5-10400F vs EPYC 9454P

Intel

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020
Core family
·······
VS
AMD

EPYC 9454P

48 Cores96 Thrd290 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2022
EPYC family
·······

Core i5-10400F vs EPYC 9454P 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 9454P 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 9454P: 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 $4,438 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $4,598 MSRP).
  • Delivers 295.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 20.6 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $4,598 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 290W, a 225W reduction.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike EPYC 9454P.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 9454P across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Geekbench multi-core (5,783 vs 18,576).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 9454P, which brings 48 cores / 96 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.
  • Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while EPYC 9454P moves to SP5 and DDR5.

EPYC 9454P

2022

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +31.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 48 cores / 96 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 20.6 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($4,598 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
  • 346.2% higher power demand at 290W vs 65W.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 9454P better than Core i5-10400F?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. EPYC 9454P 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 9454P is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 31.9% 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 9454P is the stronger fit. You are getting 221.2% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 48 cores and 96 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 9454P is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-10400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. EPYC 9454P comes in 2773.8% more expensive on MSRP at $4,598 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 31.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-10400F is also 295.4% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 20.6 PassMark/$), 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 9454P 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, and more multi-core headroom with 48 cores / 96 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-10400F vs EPYC 9454P 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 9454P

The EPYC 9454P 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 48 cores and 96 threads. Base frequency is 2.75 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 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): 290 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 94,686 points. Launch price was $4,598.

Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the EPYC 9454P offers 48 cores / 96 threads — the EPYC 9454P has 42 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 3.8 GHz on the EPYC 9454P — a 12.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.75 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the EPYC 9454P uses Genoa (2022−2023) (5 nm, 6 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the EPYC 9454P's 94,686 — a 151.6% lead for the EPYC 9454P. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 1,923, a 27.8% lead for the EPYC 9454P that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 18,576 (105% advantage for the EPYC 9454P). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 9454P.

FeatureCore i5-10400FEPYC 9454P
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
48 / 96+700%
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz+13%
3.8 GHz
Base Clock
2.9 GHz+5%
2.75 GHz
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
94,686+627%
Cinebench R23 Multi
8,191
Geekbench 6 Single
1,454
1,923+32%
Geekbench 6 Multi
5,783
18,576+221%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the EPYC 9454P uses SP5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus DDR5-4800 on the EPYC 9454P — the EPYC 9454P supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 9454P supports up to 6 TB of RAM compared to 128 GB 4700% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-10400F) vs 12 (EPYC 9454P). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 128 (EPYC 9454P) — the EPYC 9454P 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 9454P).

FeatureCore i5-10400FEPYC 9454P
Socket
LGA1200
SP5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
DDR5-4800+80%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
6 TB+4700%
RAM Channels
2
12+500%
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16
128+700%
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) vs AMD-V, SEV-SNP (EPYC 9454P). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, EPYC 9454P targets Data Center / Single Socket. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600; EPYC 9454P rivals Xeon 8468.

FeatureCore i5-10400FEPYC 9454P
Integrated GPU
No
No
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
AMD-V, SEV-SNP
Target Use
Gaming
Data Center / Single Socket
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the EPYC 9454P came in at $4598. On launch pricing ($160 vs $4598), Core i5-10400F was $4438 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 20.6 pts/$ for the EPYC 9454P — making the Core i5-10400F the 119.3% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-10400FEPYC 9454P
MSRP
$160-97%
$4598
Performance per Dollar
81.4+295%
20.6
Release Date
2020
2022

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.