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 T3200 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 T3200: 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: +139.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 44.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 56.3 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $64 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Pentium Dual Core T3200.

Trade-offs

❌
150% HIGHER MSRP
$160 MSRPvs$64 MSRP
❌6400% higher power demand at 65W vs 1W.

Pentium Dual Core T3200

2008

Why buy it

✅Costs $96 less on MSRP ($64 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
✅Draws 1W instead of 65W, a 64W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (408 vs 5,783).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 56.3 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($64 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than Pentium Dual Core T3200?

Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 139.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1317.4% better Geekbench multi-core, 261.9% higher 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 139.9% 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 1317.4% better Geekbench multi-core, 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 150.0% more expensive on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $64 MSRP, and it still gives you a 139.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 44.8% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 56.3 PassMark/$), 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 2008) 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 T3200 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 Dual Core T3200

The Pentium Dual Core T3200 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 3,600 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Pentium Dual Core T3200 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 GHz on the Pentium Dual Core T3200 — a 73% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F. The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium Dual Core T3200 uses NetBurst (2000−2006) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Pentium Dual Core T3200's 3,600 — a 113.4% lead for the Core i5-10400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 235, a 144.3% lead for the Core i5-10400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 408 (173.6% advantage for the Core i5-10400F).

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Pentium Dual Core T3200
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+200%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+115%	2 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	—
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB
Process	14 nm-78%	65 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	NetBurst (2000−2006)
PassMark	13,029+262%	3,600
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454+519%	235
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783+1317%	408

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Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus DDR2-667 on the Pentium Dual Core T3200 — the Core i5-10400F supports 299.7% 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 4 GB — 3100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 0 (Pentium Dual Core T3200) — the Core i5-10400F offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and PM965,GM965,GL960 (Pentium Dual Core T3200).

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Pentium Dual Core T3200
Socket	LGA1200	—
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666+300%	DDR2-667
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+3100%	4 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	0

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) vs No (Pentium Dual Core T3200). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Pentium Dual Core T3200
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	No
Target Use	Gaming	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the Pentium Dual Core T3200 came in at $64. On launch pricing ($160 vs $64), Pentium Dual Core T3200 was $96 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 56.3 pts/$ for the Pentium Dual Core T3200 — making the Core i5-10400F the 36.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Pentium Dual Core T3200
MSRP	$160	$64-60%
Performance per Dollar	81.4+45%	56.3
Release Date	2020	2008

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