Core i5-10400F vs Pentium Dual Core SU4100

Intel

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020
VS
Intel

Pentium Dual Core SU4100

2 Cores2 Thrd2 WWMax: 1.3 GHz2009

Core i5-10400F vs Pentium Dual Core SU4100 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 Pentium Dual Core SU4100 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 Dual Core SU4100: 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: +407.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…Delivers 674.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 10.5 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
  • βœ…100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • βœ…Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Pentium Dual Core SU4100.

Trade-offs

  • ❌
    19.4% HIGHER MSRP
    $160 MSRPvs$134 MSRP
  • ❌3150% higher power demand at 65W vs 2W.

Pentium Dual Core SU4100

2009

Why buy it

  • βœ…Costs $26 less on MSRP ($134 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
  • βœ…Draws 2W instead of 65W, a 63W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower PassMark (1,409 vs 13,029).
  • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.5 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
  • ❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than Pentium Dual Core SU4100?
Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 407.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 824.7% 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 407.6% 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 824.7% 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 19.4% more expensive on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $134 MSRP, and it still gives you a 407.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 674.4% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 10.5 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-10400F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-10400F vs Pentium Dual Core SU4100 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.

Intel

Pentium Dual Core SU4100

The Pentium Dual Core SU4100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000βˆ’2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.3 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,409 points. Launch price was $69.

⚑

Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Pentium Dual Core SU4100 offers 2 cores / 2 threads β€” the Core i5-10400F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 1.3 GHz on the Pentium Dual Core SU4100 β€” a 107.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F. The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020βˆ’2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium Dual Core SU4100 uses NetBurst (2000βˆ’2006) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Pentium Dual Core SU4100's 1,409 β€” a 161% lead for the Core i5-10400F.

FeatureCore i5-10400FPentium Dual Core SU4100
Cores / Threads
6 / 12+200%
2 / 2
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz+231%
1.3 GHz
Base Clock
2.9 GHz
β€”
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
β€”
L2 Cache
256K (per core)+12700%
2 MB
Process
14 nm-69%
45 nm
Architecture
Comet Lake (2020βˆ’2025)
NetBurst (2000βˆ’2006)
PassMark
13,029+825%
1,409
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 Pentium Dual Core SU4100 uses BGA956 (PCIe 1.1) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-10400FPentium Dual Core SU4100
Socket
LGA1200
BGA956
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+173%
PCIe 1.1
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 (Pentium Dual Core SU4100). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

FeatureCore i5-10400FPentium Dual Core SU4100
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 Pentium Dual Core SU4100 came in at $134. On launch pricing ($160 vs $134), Pentium Dual Core SU4100 was $26 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 10.5 pts/$ for the Pentium Dual Core SU4100 β€” making the Core i5-10400F the 154.3% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-10400FPentium Dual Core SU4100
MSRP
$160
$134-16%
Performance per Dollar
81.4+675%
10.5
Release Date
2020
2009

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.