Core i5-10400F vs Pentium 4 2.80

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 Pentium 4 2.80 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 Pentium 4 2.80: 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: +1815.9% higher average FPS across 27 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $167 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $327 MSRP).
✅Delivers 6426.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 1.2 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $327 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 110W, a 45W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Pentium 4 2.80

2002

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 27 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (408 vs 13,029).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 1.2 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($327 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
❌69.2% higher power demand at 110W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than Pentium 4 2.80?

Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1815.9% average FPS lead across 27 shared CPU game tests in our data, 3093.4% better 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 1815.9% more average FPS across 27 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 3093.4% 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 $167 cheaper on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $327 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1815.9% average FPS lead across 27 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 6426.5% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 1.2 PassMark/$), 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 2002) 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 Pentium 4 2.80 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.

Pentium 4 2.80

The Pentium 4 2.80 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 2.79 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 130 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 110 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 408 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Pentium 4 2.80 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 2.79 GHz on the Pentium 4 2.80 — a 42.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F. The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium 4 2.80 uses NetBurst (2000−2006) (130 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Pentium 4 2.80's 408 — a 187.9% lead for the Core i5-10400F. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 0 kB on the Pentium 4 2.80.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Pentium 4 2.80
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+500%	1 / 1
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+54%	2.79 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)	NetBurst (2000−2006)
PassMark	13,029+3093%	408
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium 4 2.80 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Pentium 4 2.80
Socket	LGA1200	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) / not specified (Pentium 4 2.80). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Pentium 4 2.80
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Gaming	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the Pentium 4 2.80 came in at $327. On launch pricing ($160 vs $327), Core i5-10400F was $167 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 1.2 pts/$ for the Pentium 4 2.80 — making the Core i5-10400F the 194% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Pentium 4 2.80
MSRP	$160-51%	$327
Performance per Dollar	81.4+6683%	1.2
Release Date	2020	2002

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