Core i5-10400F vs Pentium P6000

Intel

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020
Core family
·······
VS
Intel

Pentium P6000

2 Cores2 Thrd35 WWMax: 1.88 GHz2010
Similar parts
·······

Core i5-10400F vs Pentium P6000 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 P6000 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 P6000: 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: +270.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +300% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 3 MB).
  • Delivers 495.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 13.7 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Pentium P6000.

Trade-offs

  • 6.7% HIGHER MSRP
    $160 MSRPvs$150 MSRP
  • 85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Pentium P6000

2010

Why buy it

  • Costs $10 less on MSRP ($150 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
  • Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (2,051 vs 13,029).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 12 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.7 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($150 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than Pentium P6000?
Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 270.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 535.3% 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 270.2% 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 535.3% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 300% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 3 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 6.7% more expensive on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $150 MSRP, and it still gives you a 270.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 495.5% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 13.7 PassMark/$), 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 2010), 300% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 3 MB), 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 P6000 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 (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.

Intel

Pentium P6000

The Pentium P6000 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.86 GHz, with boost up to 1.88 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,051 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Pentium P6000 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 1.88 GHz on the Pentium P6000 — a 78.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 2.9 GHz vs 1.86 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium P6000 uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Pentium P6000's 2,051 — a 145.6% lead for the Core i5-10400F. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium P6000.

FeatureCore i5-10400FPentium P6000
Cores / Threads
6 / 12+200%
2 / 2
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz+129%
1.88 GHz
Base Clock
2.9 GHz+56%
1.86 GHz
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)+300%
3 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
256K (per core)
Process
14 nm-56%
32 nm
Architecture
Comet Lake (2020−2025)
Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark
13,029+535%
2,051
Cinebench R23 Multi
8,191
Geekbench 6 Single
1,454
Geekbench 6 Multi
5,783
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium P6000 uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-10400FPentium P6000
Socket
LGA1200
PGA988
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) / not specified (Pentium P6000). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

FeatureCore i5-10400FPentium P6000
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Gaming
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the Pentium P6000 came in at $150. On launch pricing ($160 vs $150), Pentium P6000 was $10 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 13.7 pts/$ for the Pentium P6000 — making the Core i5-10400F the 142.5% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-10400FPentium P6000
MSRP
$160
$150-6%
Performance per Dollar
81.4+494%
13.7
Release Date
2020
2010

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.