Core i5-10400F vs Mobile Pentium 4 2.66

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 Mobile Pentium 4 2.66 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 Mobile Pentium 4 2.66: 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: +1628.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 65W instead of 66W, a 1W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Mobile Pentium 4 2.66.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $160 MSRP, while Mobile Pentium 4 2.66 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Mobile Pentium 4 2.66

2003

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (800 vs 5,783).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than Mobile Pentium 4 2.66?

Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1628.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 622.9% better Geekbench multi-core, 3198.5% higher 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 1628.8% 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, Core i5-10400F is the stronger fit. You are getting 622.9% better Geekbench multi-core, 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 at an unclear MSRP at $160 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1628.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2003) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 1/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-10400F vs Mobile Pentium 4 2.66 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.

Mobile Pentium 4 2.66

The Mobile Pentium 4 2.66 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Junho 2003 (22 years ago). It is based on the Northwood (2002−2004) architecture. It features 1 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.67 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 130 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 66 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 395 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Mobile Pentium 4 2.66 offers 1 cores / 2 threads — the Core i5-10400F has 5 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 2.67 GHz on the Mobile Pentium 4 2.66 — a 46.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F. The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Mobile Pentium 4 2.66 uses Northwood (2002−2004) (130 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Mobile Pentium 4 2.66's 395 — a 188.2% lead for the Core i5-10400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 800, a 58% lead for the Core i5-10400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 800 (151.4% advantage for the Core i5-10400F). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 0 kB on the Mobile Pentium 4 2.66.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Mobile Pentium 4 2.66
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+500%	1 / 2
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+61%	2.67 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	—
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	14 nm-89%	130 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Northwood (2002−2004)
PassMark	13,029+3198%	395
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454+82%	800
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783+623%	800

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Mobile Pentium 4 2.66 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus DDR2 on the Mobile Pentium 4 2.66 — the Core i5-10400F supports 133200% 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 4 GB — 3100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-10400F) vs 1 (Mobile Pentium 4 2.66). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 0 (Mobile Pentium 4 2.66) — the Core i5-10400F offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and 852PM,855PM (Mobile Pentium 4 2.66).

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Mobile Pentium 4 2.66
Socket	LGA1200	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666+133200%	DDR2
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+3100%	4 GB
RAM Channels	2+100%	1
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 None (Mobile Pentium 4 2.66). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, Mobile Pentium 4 2.66 targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.