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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i5-10400F

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +617.9% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+500% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Delivers 681.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 10.4 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
19.4% HIGHER MSRP
$160 MSRPvs$134 MSRP

Pentium 2030M

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $26 less on MSRP ($134 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,396 vs 13,029).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.4 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.

Core i5-10400F

2020

Pentium 2030M

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +617.9% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+500% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Delivers 681.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 10.4 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Why buy it

✅Costs $26 less on MSRP ($134 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌
19.4% HIGHER MSRP
$160 MSRPvs$134 MSRP

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,396 vs 13,029).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.4 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than Pentium 2030M?

Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 617.9% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 833.3% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-10400F is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 617.9% more average FPS across 4 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 better fit. You are getting 833.3% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 500% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Core i5-10400F is the smarter buy today. Core i5-10400F is 19.4% more expensive on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $134 MSRP, and it gives you a 617.9% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 681.6% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 10.4 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

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

Core i5-10400F is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2013), 500% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 2 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom should age better as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i5-10400F Benchmark Check

Pentium 2030M Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Pentium 2030M
1080p
low	192 FPS	35 FPS
medium	152 FPS	35 FPS
high	123 FPS	35 FPS
ultra	100 FPS	35 FPS
1440p
low	153 FPS	35 FPS
medium	119 FPS	35 FPS
high	97 FPS	35 FPS
ultra	79 FPS	35 FPS
4K
low	82 FPS	35 FPS
medium	70 FPS	35 FPS
high	55 FPS	35 FPS
ultra	43 FPS	32 FPS

Open Core i5-10400F Open Pentium 2030M

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Pentium 2030M
1080p
low	326 FPS	35 FPS
medium	318 FPS	35 FPS
high	290 FPS	35 FPS
ultra	253 FPS	35 FPS
1440p
low	326 FPS	35 FPS
medium	292 FPS	35 FPS
high	267 FPS	35 FPS
ultra	234 FPS	35 FPS
4K
low	309 FPS	35 FPS
medium	258 FPS	35 FPS
high	235 FPS	35 FPS
ultra	199 FPS	30 FPS

Open Core i5-10400F Open Pentium 2030M

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Pentium 2030M
1080p
low	326 FPS	35 FPS
medium	326 FPS	35 FPS
high	326 FPS	35 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	35 FPS
1440p
low	326 FPS	35 FPS
medium	326 FPS	35 FPS
high	326 FPS	35 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	35 FPS
4K
low	326 FPS	35 FPS
medium	326 FPS	35 FPS
high	289 FPS	35 FPS
ultra	229 FPS	35 FPS

Open Core i5-10400F Open Pentium 2030M

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Pentium 2030M
1080p
low	326 FPS	35 FPS
medium	326 FPS	35 FPS
high	326 FPS	35 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	35 FPS
1440p
low	326 FPS	35 FPS
medium	326 FPS	35 FPS
high	326 FPS	35 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	35 FPS
4K
low	326 FPS	35 FPS
medium	326 FPS	35 FPS
high	326 FPS	35 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	35 FPS

Open Core i5-10400F Open Pentium 2030M

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-10400F and Pentium 2030M

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.

Pentium 2030M

The Pentium 2030M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,396 points. Launch price was $134.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Pentium 2030M offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Core i5-10400F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 2.5 GHz on the Pentium 2030M — a 52.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium 2030M uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Pentium 2030M's 1,396 — a 161.3% lead for the Core i5-10400F. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 2030M.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Pentium 2030M
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+200%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+72%	2.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+16%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+500%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	13,029+833%	1,396
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 Pentium 2030M uses PGA988 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Pentium 2030M
Socket	LGA1200	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
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 (Pentium 2030M). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Pentium 2030M
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Gaming	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-10400F launched at $160 MSRP, while the Pentium 2030M debuted at $134. On MSRP ($160 vs $134), the Pentium 2030M is $26 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 10.4 pts/$ for the Pentium 2030M — making the Core i5-10400F the 154.6% better value option.