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 Gold G5600 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 Gold G5600: 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: +109.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Pentium Gold G5600.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $160 MSRP, while Pentium Gold G5600 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌20.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 54W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Pentium Gold G5600 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Pentium Gold G5600

2018

Why buy it

✅Draws 54W instead of 65W, a 11W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 630, while Core i5-10400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (2,200 vs 8,191).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 12 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than Pentium Gold G5600?

Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 109.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 272.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 238.9% 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 109.7% 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 272.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 4 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 at an unclear MSRP at $160 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 109.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2018), 200% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 4 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-10400F vs Pentium Gold G5600 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 Gold G5600

The Pentium Gold G5600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,844 points. Launch price was $93.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Pentium Gold G5600 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-10400F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 3.9 GHz on the Pentium Gold G5600 — a 9.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.9 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium Gold G5600 uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Pentium Gold G5600's 3,844 — a 108.9% lead for the Core i5-10400F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 8,191 vs 2,200 (115.3% advantage for the Core i5-10400F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 837, a 53.9% lead for the Core i5-10400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 4 MB (total) on the Pentium Gold G5600.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Pentium Gold G5600
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+200%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+10%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	3.9 GHz+34%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+200%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
PassMark	13,029+239%	3,844
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191+272%	2,200
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454+74%	837
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 Gold G5600 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus DDR4 2400 MHz on the Pentium Gold G5600 — the Core i5-10400F supports 11.1% 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. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and Intel H310,Intel B360,Intel H370,Intel Z370,Intel Z390 (Pentium Gold G5600).

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Pentium Gold G5600
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666+11%	DDR4 2400 MHz
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) vs true (Pentium Gold G5600). The Pentium Gold G5600 includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, Pentium Gold G5600 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.