Core i5-10400F vs FX-6350

Core i5-10400F vs FX-6350 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-10400F

6 / 12

13,029

+180.8%

4,640

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

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 FX-6350 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 FX-6350: 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

✅Better for gaming: +84.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 131.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 35.2 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $132 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike FX-6350.

Trade-offs

❌
21.2% HIGHER MSRP
$160 MSRPvs$132 MSRP

FX-6350

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $28 less on MSRP ($132 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,640 vs 13,029).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 35.2 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($132 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 Core i5-10400F better than FX-6350?

Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 84.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 180.8% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-10400F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 84.0% 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, Core i5-10400F is the stronger fit. You are getting 180.8% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-10400F is the better buy right now. Core i5-10400F comes in 21.2% more expensive on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $132 MSRP, and it still gives you a 84.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 131.7% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 35.2 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-10400F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/6. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-10400F vs FX-6350 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.

FX-6350

The FX-6350 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 29 April 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L2 cache: 6144 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,640 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, matching the FX-6350's 6 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 4.2 GHz on the FX-6350 — a 2.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.9 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-6350 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the FX-6350's 4,640 — a 95% lead for the Core i5-10400F.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	FX-6350
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 6
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+2%	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	3.9 GHz+34%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	6144 kB+2300%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Vishera (2012−2015)
PassMark	13,029+181%	4,640
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 FX-6350 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	FX-6350
Socket	LGA1200	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) / not specified (FX-6350). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	FX-6350
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Gaming	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the FX-6350 came in at $132. On launch pricing ($160 vs $132), FX-6350 was $28 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 35.2 pts/$ for the FX-6350 — making the Core i5-10400F the 79.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	FX-6350
MSRP	$160	$132-18%
Performance per Dollar	81.4+131%	35.2
Release Date	2020	2013

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