Core i5-10400F vs Pentium Silver N6000

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 Silver N6000 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 Silver N6000: 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: +191.3% higher average FPS across 37 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 4 MB).
✅100% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Pentium Silver N6000.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $160 MSRP, while Pentium Silver N6000 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌983.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 6W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Pentium Silver N6000 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Pentium Silver N6000

2021

Why buy it

✅Draws 6W instead of 65W, a 59W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics (32 EU), while Core i5-10400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 37 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (1,911 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 Silver N6000?

Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 191.3% average FPS lead across 37 shared CPU game tests in our data, 328.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 335.9% higher PassMark, 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 191.3% more average FPS across 37 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 328.6% 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 $160 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 191.3% average FPS lead across 37 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Pentium Silver N6000 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2020). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-10400F vs Pentium Silver N6000 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 Silver N6000

The Pentium Silver N6000 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Jasper Lake (2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.5 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1338. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,989 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Pentium Silver N6000 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-10400F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 3.3 GHz on the Pentium Silver N6000 — a 26.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 2.9 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium Silver N6000 uses Jasper Lake (2021) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Pentium Silver N6000's 2,989 — a 125.4% lead for the Core i5-10400F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 8,191 vs 1,911 (124.3% advantage for the Core i5-10400F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 473, a 101.8% lead for the Core i5-10400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 1,090 (136.6% advantage for the Core i5-10400F). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 4 MB (total) on the Pentium Silver N6000.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Pentium Silver N6000
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 4
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+30%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+164%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+200%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+16967%	1.5 MB (total)
Process	14 nm	10 nm-29%
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Jasper Lake (2021)
PassMark	13,029+336%	2,989
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191+329%	1,911
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454+207%	473
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783+431%	1,090

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium Silver N6000 uses BGA1338 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus DDR4-2933 on the Pentium Silver N6000 — the Pentium Silver N6000 supports 10% 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 16 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 8 (Pentium Silver N6000) — the Core i5-10400F offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and SoC (Pentium Silver N6000).

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Pentium Silver N6000
Socket	LGA1200	BGA1338
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2933+10%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+700%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16+100%	8

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Pentium Silver N6000). The Pentium Silver N6000 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics (32 EU)), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, Pentium Silver N6000 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600; Pentium Silver N6000 rivals Celeron N5105.