Core i5-10400F vs Phenom II X2 N640

CPU

GPU

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020

Core family

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Phenom II X2 N640

2 Cores2 Thrd2 WWMax: 2.9 GHz2010

Similar parts

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Core i5-10400F vs Phenom II X2 N640 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-10400F

6 / 12

13,029

+765.7%

1,505

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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 Phenom II X2 N640 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 Phenom II X2 N640: 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: +369.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 441.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 15.1 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Phenom II X2 N640.

Trade-offs

❌
60% HIGHER MSRP
$160 MSRPvs$100 MSRP
❌3150% higher power demand at 65W vs 2W.

Phenom II X2 N640

2010

Why buy it

✅Costs $60 less on MSRP ($100 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
✅Draws 2W instead of 65W, a 63W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (422 vs 5,783).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 15.1 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($100 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than Phenom II X2 N640?

Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 369.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1270.4% better Geekbench multi-core, 765.7% 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 369.5% 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 1270.4% 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 60.0% more expensive on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $100 MSRP, and it still gives you a 369.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 441.1% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 15.1 PassMark/$), 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) 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 Phenom II X2 N640 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.

Phenom II X2 N640

The Phenom II X2 N640 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.9 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,505 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Phenom II X2 N640 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 2.9 GHz on the Phenom II X2 N640 — a 38.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F. The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Phenom II X2 N640 uses Champlain (2010−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Phenom II X2 N640's 1,505 — a 158.6% lead for the Core i5-10400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 300, a 131.6% lead for the Core i5-10400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 422 (172.8% advantage for the Core i5-10400F).

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Phenom II X2 N640
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+200%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+48%	2.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	—
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Champlain (2010−2011)
PassMark	13,029+766%	1,505
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454+385%	300
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783+1270%	422

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X2 N640 uses S1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus DDR3-1333 on the Phenom II X2 N640 — the Core i5-10400F supports 100% 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 8 GB — 1500% 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 RS880M (Phenom II X2 N640).

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Phenom II X2 N640
Socket	LGA1200	S1
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666+100%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+1500%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) vs AMD-V (Phenom II X2 N640). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, Phenom II X2 N640 targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Phenom II X2 N640
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	Gaming	Legacy Laptop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the Phenom II X2 N640 came in at $100. On launch pricing ($160 vs $100), Phenom II X2 N640 was $60 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 15.1 pts/$ for the Phenom II X2 N640 — making the Core i5-10400F the 137.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Phenom II X2 N640
MSRP	$160	$100-38%
Performance per Dollar	81.4+439%	15.1
Release Date	2020	2010

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