Core i5-10400F vs M2 Max

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 M2 Max 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 M2 Max: 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

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike M2 Max.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than M2 Max across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (13,029 vs 26,824).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 48 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $160 MSRP, while M2 Max mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌80.6% higher power demand at 65W vs 36W.

M2 Max

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +18.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+300% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Draws 36W instead of 65W, a 29W reduction.
✅Newer platform on none with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Apple M2 Max GPU, while Core i5-10400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is M2 Max better than Core i5-10400F?

Yes. M2 Max is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 18.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 105.9% 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, M2 Max is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 18.8% 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, M2 Max is the stronger fit. You are getting 105.9% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 300% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 12 MB).

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

M2 Max is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-10400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. M2 Max comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 18.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-10400F is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Core i5-10400F can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap, but on MSRP alone you would want to find it meaningfully cheaper in real-world listings before that path becomes easy to justify.

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

M2 Max makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2020), a healthier platform with none and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, 300% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-10400F vs M2 Max 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.

M2 Max

The M2 Max is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 17 January 2023 (2 years ago). It features 12 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.424 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 48 MB. L2 cache: 36 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 36 MB + 48 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 26,824 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the M2 Max offers 12 cores / 12 threads — the M2 Max has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 3.7 GHz on the M2 Max — a 15% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.424 GHz). The Core i5-10400F is built on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the M2 Max's 26,824 — a 69.2% lead for the M2 Max. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 48 MB on the M2 Max.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	M2 Max
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	12 / 12+100%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+16%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+20%	2.424 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	48 MB+300%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+611%	36 MB
Process	14 nm	5 nm-64%
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	—
PassMark	13,029	26,824+106%
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the M2 Max uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus LPDDR5-6400 on the M2 Max — the M2 Max supports 140.1% 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 96 GB — 33.3% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-10400F) vs 4 (M2 Max). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 0 (M2 Max) — the Core i5-10400F offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	M2 Max
Socket	LGA1200	none
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	LPDDR5-6400+140%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+33%	96 GB
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	0

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) vs Virtualization (M2 Max). The M2 Max includes integrated graphics (Apple M2 Max GPU), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, M2 Max targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.