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 8500 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 8500: 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: +160.6% higher average FPS across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Costs $40 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
✅Delivers 461.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 14.5 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Pentium 8500.

Trade-offs

❌622.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 9W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Pentium 8500 moves to FCBGA1781 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Pentium 8500 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Pentium 8500

2022

Why buy it

✅Draws 9W instead of 65W, a 56W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1781 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics (48 EU), while Core i5-10400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (2,100 vs 5,783).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.5 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($200 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than Pentium 8500?

Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 160.6% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data, 175.4% better Geekbench multi-core, and 349.3% higher PassMark, 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 160.6% more average FPS across 49 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 175.4% better Geekbench multi-core, 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 $40 cheaper on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $200 MSRP, and it still gives you a 160.6% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 461.6% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 14.5 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium 8500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2020) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1781 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-10400F vs Pentium 8500 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 8500

The Pentium 8500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture. It features 5 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 1 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1781. Thermal design power (TDP): 9 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 2,900 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Pentium 8500 offers 5 cores / 6 threads — the Core i5-10400F has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 4.4 GHz on the Pentium 8500 — a 2.3% clock advantage for the Pentium 8500 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 1 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium 8500 uses Alder Lake-U (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Pentium 8500's 2,900 — a 127.2% lead for the Core i5-10400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 1,250, a 15.1% lead for the Core i5-10400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 2,100 (93.4% advantage for the Core i5-10400F). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 8 MB (total) on the Pentium 8500.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Pentium 8500
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+20%	5 / 6
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	4.4 GHz+2%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+190%	1 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+50%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+20380%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Alder Lake-U (2022)
PassMark	13,029+349%	2,900
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454+16%	1,250
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783+175%	2,100

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium 8500 uses FCBGA1781 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus LPDDR5-5200 on the Pentium 8500 — the Pentium 8500 supports 95% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-10400F supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 14 (Pentium 8500) — the Core i5-10400F offers 2 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and SoC (Pentium 8500).

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Pentium 8500
Socket	LGA1200	FCBGA1781
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	LPDDR5-5200+95%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16+14%	14

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Pentium 8500). The Pentium 8500 includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics (48 EU)), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, Pentium 8500 targets Entry Level Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Pentium 8500
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel UHD Graphics (48 EU)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Gaming	Entry Level Laptop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the Pentium 8500 came in at $200. On launch pricing ($160 vs $200), Core i5-10400F was $40 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 14.5 pts/$ for the Pentium 8500 — making the Core i5-10400F the 139.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Pentium 8500
MSRP	$160-20%	$200
Performance per Dollar	81.4+461%	14.5
Release Date	2020	2022

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