Core i5-10400F vs Opteron 6386 SE

Intel

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020
Core family
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VS
AMD

Opteron 6386 SE

16 Cores16 Thrd140 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2012
Similar parts
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Core i5-10400F vs Opteron 6386 SE 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 6386 SE 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 6386 SE: 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: +27.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
  • Costs $1,232 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $1,392 MSRP).
  • Delivers 1267.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 6.0 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $1,392 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 140W, a 75W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Opteron 6386 SE, which brings 16 cores / 16 threads.

Opteron 6386 SE

2012

Why buy it

  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 16 threads.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (8,291 vs 13,029).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.0 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($1,392 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
  • 115.4% higher power demand at 140W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than Opteron 6386 SE?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Opteron 6386 SE 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 27.6% 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 57.1% 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 $1,232 cheaper on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $1,392 MSRP, and it still gives you a 27.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1267.2% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 6.0 PassMark/$), 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 2012), 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 16/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-10400F vs Opteron 6386 SE 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 6386 SE

The Opteron 6386 SE is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Abu Dhabi (2012) architecture. It features 16 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 16 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: G34. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,291 points. Launch price was $2,408.

Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Opteron 6386 SE offers 16 cores / 16 threads — the Opteron 6386 SE has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 3.5 GHz on the Opteron 6386 SE — a 20.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Opteron 6386 SE uses Abu Dhabi (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Opteron 6386 SE's 8,291 — a 44.4% lead for the Core i5-10400F. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 8 MB (total) on the Opteron 6386 SE.

FeatureCore i5-10400FOpteron 6386 SE
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
16 / 16+167%
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz+23%
3.5 GHz
Base Clock
2.9 GHz+4%
2.8 GHz
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)+50%
8 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)+1500%
16 MB
Process
14 nm-56%
32 nm
Architecture
Comet Lake (2020−2025)
Abu Dhabi (2012)
PassMark
13,029+57%
8,291
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 6386 SE uses G34 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-10400FOpteron 6386 SE
Socket
LGA1200
G34
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 6386 SE). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

FeatureCore i5-10400FOpteron 6386 SE
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Gaming
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the Opteron 6386 SE came in at $1392. On launch pricing ($160 vs $1392), Core i5-10400F was $1232 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 6.0 pts/$ for the Opteron 6386 SE — making the Core i5-10400F the 172.7% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-10400FOpteron 6386 SE
MSRP
$160-89%
$1392
Performance per Dollar
81.4+1257%
6.0
Release Date
2020
2012

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