Core i5-10400F vs Pentium M 735

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 M 735 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 M 735: 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: +396.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $134 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
✅Delivers 1540.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 5.0 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Pentium M 735.

Trade-offs

❌209.5% higher power demand at 65W vs 21W.

Pentium M 735

2004

Why buy it

✅Draws 21W instead of 65W, a 44W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,459 vs 13,029).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.0 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($294 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than Pentium M 735?

Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 396.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 793% 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 396.5% 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 793% 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 $134 cheaper on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $294 MSRP, and it still gives you a 396.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1540.9% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 5.0 PassMark/$), 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 2004) 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 M 735 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 M 735

The Pentium M 735 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Dothan (2004−2005) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 1.7 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 7.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 1,459 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Pentium M 735 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 1.7 GHz on the Pentium M 735 — a 86.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 2.9 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium M 735 uses Dothan (2004−2005) (90 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Pentium M 735's 1,459 — a 159.7% lead for the Core i5-10400F. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 0 kB on the Pentium M 735.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Pentium M 735
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+500%	1 / 1
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+153%	1.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+71%	1.7 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB
Process	14 nm-84%	90 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Dothan (2004−2005)
PassMark	13,029+793%	1,459
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 M 735 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus DDR-333 on the Pentium M 735 — the Core i5-10400F supports -900.6% 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 2 GB — 6300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-10400F) vs 1 (Pentium M 735). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 0 (Pentium M 735) — the Core i5-10400F offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Pentium M 735
Socket	LGA1200	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR-333
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+6300%	2 GB
RAM Channels	2+100%	1
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	0

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) vs None (Pentium M 735). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, Pentium M 735 targets Mobile Legacy. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Pentium M 735
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	None
Target Use	Gaming	Mobile Legacy

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the Pentium M 735 came in at $294. On launch pricing ($160 vs $294), Core i5-10400F was $134 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 5.0 pts/$ for the Pentium M 735 — making the Core i5-10400F the 177% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Pentium M 735
MSRP	$160-46%	$294
Performance per Dollar	81.4+1528%	5.0
Release Date	2020	2004

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