Core i5-10400F vs FX-7500

Intel

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020

Popular choices:

VS
AMD

FX-7500

4 Cores4 Thrd19 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2014

Popular choices:

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i5-10400F

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +153.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Delivers 153.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 32.1 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
  • 100% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike FX-7500.

Trade-offs

  • 60% HIGHER MSRP
    $160 MSRPvs$100 MSRP
  • 242.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 19W.
  • No integrated graphics, while FX-7500 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

FX-7500

2014

Why buy it

  • Costs $60 less on MSRP ($100 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
  • Draws 19W instead of 65W, a 46W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon R7, while Core i5-10400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (3,209 vs 13,029).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 32.1 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($100 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than FX-7500?
Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 153.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 306% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i5-10400F is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 153.9% 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 better fit. You are getting 306% 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 smarter buy today. Core i5-10400F is 60.0% more expensive on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $100 MSRP, and it gives you a 153.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 153.8% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 32.1 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-10400F is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom should age better as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetCore i5-10400FFX-7500
1080p
low192 FPS80 FPS
medium152 FPS80 FPS
high123 FPS80 FPS
ultra100 FPS80 FPS
1440p
low153 FPS80 FPS
medium119 FPS80 FPS
high97 FPS80 FPS
ultra79 FPS71 FPS
4K
low82 FPS62 FPS
medium70 FPS56 FPS
high55 FPS44 FPS
ultra43 FPS34 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetCore i5-10400FFX-7500
1080p
low326 FPS80 FPS
medium318 FPS80 FPS
high290 FPS80 FPS
ultra253 FPS68 FPS
1440p
low326 FPS80 FPS
medium292 FPS80 FPS
high267 FPS74 FPS
ultra234 FPS61 FPS
4K
low309 FPS67 FPS
medium258 FPS59 FPS
high235 FPS47 FPS
ultra199 FPS34 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetCore i5-10400FFX-7500
1080p
low326 FPS80 FPS
medium326 FPS80 FPS
high326 FPS80 FPS
ultra326 FPS80 FPS
1440p
low326 FPS80 FPS
medium326 FPS80 FPS
high326 FPS80 FPS
ultra326 FPS80 FPS
4K
low326 FPS80 FPS
medium326 FPS80 FPS
high289 FPS80 FPS
ultra229 FPS80 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetCore i5-10400FFX-7500
1080p
low326 FPS80 FPS
medium326 FPS80 FPS
high326 FPS80 FPS
ultra326 FPS80 FPS
1440p
low326 FPS80 FPS
medium326 FPS80 FPS
high326 FPS80 FPS
ultra326 FPS80 FPS
4K
low326 FPS80 FPS
medium326 FPS80 FPS
high326 FPS80 FPS
ultra326 FPS80 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-10400F and FX-7500

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

FX-7500

The FX-7500 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 June 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 19 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,209 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the FX-7500 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-10400F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 3.3 GHz on the FX-7500 — a 26.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-7500 uses Kaveri (2014−2015) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the FX-7500's 3,209 — a 121% lead for the Core i5-10400F.

FeatureCore i5-10400FFX-7500
Cores / Threads
6 / 12+50%
4 / 4
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz+30%
3.3 GHz
Base Clock
2.9 GHz+38%
2.1 GHz
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
4096 kB+1500%
Process
14 nm-50%
28 nm
Architecture
Comet Lake (2020−2025)
Kaveri (2014−2015)
PassMark
13,029+306%
3,209
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-7500 uses FP3 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus DDR3-1600 on the FX-7500 — the Core i5-10400F supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-10400F supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB 155.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 8 (FX-7500) — the Core i5-10400F offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureCore i5-10400FFX-7500
Socket
LGA1200
FP3
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666+33%
DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB+700%
16 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
16+100%
8
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) vs AMD-V (FX-7500). The FX-7500 includes integrated graphics (Radeon R7), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, FX-7500 targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

FeatureCore i5-10400FFX-7500
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
Radeon R7
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
AMD-V
Target Use
Gaming
Mobile
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-10400F launched at $160 MSRP, while the FX-7500 debuted at $100. On MSRP ($160 vs $100), the FX-7500 is $60 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 32.1 pts/$ for the FX-7500 — making the Core i5-10400F the 86.9% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-10400FFX-7500
MSRP
$160
$100-38%
Performance per Dollar
81.4+154%
32.1
Release Date
2020
2014