Core i5-10400F vs Opteron 6234

Intel

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020
VS
AMD

Opteron 6234

12 Cores12 Thrd115 WWMax: 3 GHz2011

Core i5-10400F vs Opteron 6234 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 6234 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 6234: 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

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +87.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
  • βœ…Costs $217 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $377 MSRP).
  • βœ…Delivers 653.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 10.8 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $377 MSRP).
  • βœ…Draws 65W instead of 115W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Opteron 6234, which brings 12 cores / 12 threads.

Opteron 6234

2011

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 12 cores / 12 threads.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower PassMark (4,072 vs 13,029).
  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
  • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.8 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($377 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
  • ❌76.9% higher power demand at 115W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than Opteron 6234?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Opteron 6234 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 87.9% 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 stronger fit. You are getting 220% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
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 $217 cheaper on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $377 MSRP, and it still gives you a 87.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 653.9% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 10.8 PassMark/$), 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 2011), 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 12/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-10400F vs Opteron 6234 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 (2020βˆ’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 6234

The Opteron 6234 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 14 November 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Interlagos (2011βˆ’2012) architecture. It features 12 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per module). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: G34. Thermal design power (TDP): 115 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,072 points. Launch price was $377.

⚑

Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Opteron 6234 offers 12 cores / 12 threads β€” the Opteron 6234 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 3 GHz on the Opteron 6234 β€” a 35.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020βˆ’2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Opteron 6234 uses Interlagos (2011βˆ’2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Opteron 6234's 4,072 β€” a 104.8% lead for the Core i5-10400F. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 8 MB (total) on the Opteron 6234.

FeatureCore i5-10400FOpteron 6234
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
12 / 12+100%
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz+43%
3 GHz
Base Clock
2.9 GHz+21%
2.4 GHz
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)+50%
8 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)+12700%
2 MB (per module)
Process
14 nm-56%
32 nm
Architecture
Comet Lake (2020βˆ’2025)
Interlagos (2011βˆ’2012)
PassMark
13,029+220%
4,072
Cinebench R23 Multi
8,191
β€”
Geekbench 6 Single
1,454
β€”
Geekbench 6 Multi
5,783
β€”
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Opteron 6234 uses G34 (PCIe 2.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-10400FOpteron 6234
Socket
LGA1200
G34
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
β€”
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
β€”
RAM Channels
2
β€”
ECC Support
No
β€”
PCIe Lanes
16
β€”
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) / not specified (Opteron 6234). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

FeatureCore i5-10400FOpteron 6234
Integrated GPU
No
β€”
Unlocked
No
β€”
AVX-512
No
β€”
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
β€”
Target Use
Gaming
β€”
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the Opteron 6234 came in at $377. On launch pricing ($160 vs $377), Core i5-10400F was $217 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 10.8 pts/$ for the Opteron 6234 β€” making the Core i5-10400F the 153.2% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-10400FOpteron 6234
MSRP
$160-58%
$377
Performance per Dollar
81.4+654%
10.8
Release Date
2020
2011

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.