Core i5-10400F vs Opteron 254

Intel

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020
Core family
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VS
AMD

Opteron 254

1 Cores1 Thrd92 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2005
Similar parts
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Core i5-10400F vs Opteron 254 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 Opteron 254 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 Opteron 254: 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: +926.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 65W instead of 92W, a 27W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Opteron 254.

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $160 MSRP, while Opteron 254 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Opteron 254

2005

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • Lower PassMark (690 vs 13,029).
    • 41.5% higher power demand at 92W vs 65W.
    • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Core i5-10400F better than Opteron 254?
    Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Opteron 254 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, Core i5-10400F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 926.6% 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 1788.3% 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 at an unclear MSRP at $160 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 926.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2005) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 1/1. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

    Core i5-10400F vs Opteron 254 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

    Opteron 254

    The Opteron 254 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Troy (2005) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: 940. Thermal design power (TDP): 92 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 690 points. Launch price was $800.

    Processing Power

    The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Opteron 254 offers 1 cores / 1 threads — the Core i5-10400F has 5 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 2.8 GHz on the Opteron 254 — a 42.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F. The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Opteron 254 uses Troy (2005) (90 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Opteron 254's 690 — a 179.9% lead for the Core i5-10400F. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 0 kB on the Opteron 254.

    FeatureCore i5-10400FOpteron 254
    Cores / Threads
    6 / 12+500%
    1 / 1
    Boost Clock
    4.3 GHz+54%
    2.8 GHz
    Base Clock
    2.9 GHz
    L3 Cache
    12 MB (total)
    0 kB
    L2 Cache
    256K (per core)+25500%
    1 MB
    Process
    14 nm-84%
    90 nm
    Architecture
    Comet Lake (2020−2025)
    Troy (2005)
    PassMark
    13,029+1788%
    690
    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 Opteron 254 uses 940 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    FeatureCore i5-10400FOpteron 254
    Socket
    LGA1200
    940
    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 (Opteron 254). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

    FeatureCore i5-10400FOpteron 254
    Integrated GPU
    No
    Unlocked
    No
    AVX-512
    No
    Virtualization
    VT-x, VT-d
    Target Use
    Gaming