Core i5-10400F vs Processor 300

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 Processor 300 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 Processor 300: 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: +57.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Processor 300.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 81.4 vs 88.6 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $82 MSRP).
❌41.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 46W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Processor 300 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Processor 300

2024

Why buy it

✅Costs $78 less on MSRP ($82 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
✅Delivers 8.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 88.6 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($82 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
✅Draws 46W instead of 65W, a 19W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,264 vs 13,029).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 12 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than Processor 300?

Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 57.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 79.4% better 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 57.9% 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 79.4% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-10400F is still the faster CPU overall, but Processor 300 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-10400F comes in 95.1% more expensive on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $82 MSRP, and it still gives you a 57.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Processor 300 is also 8.8% better value on MSRP (88.6 vs 81.4 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1700 + DDR5 setup, Processor 300 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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

Processor 300 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2020) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-10400F vs Processor 300 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.

Processor 300

The Processor 300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 46 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 7,264 points. Launch price was $82.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Processor 300 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 Processor 300 — 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 Processor 300 uses Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Processor 300's 7,264 — a 56.8% lead for the Core i5-10400F. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 6 MB (total) on the Processor 300.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Processor 300
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)+100%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+20380%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
PassMark	13,029+79%	7,264
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 Processor 300 uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Processor 300
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) / not specified (Processor 300). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Processor 300
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Gaming	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the Processor 300 came in at $82. On launch pricing ($160 vs $82), Processor 300 was $78 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 88.6 pts/$ for the Processor 300 — making the Processor 300 the 8.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Processor 300
MSRP	$160	$82-49%
Performance per Dollar	81.4	88.6+9%
Release Date	2020	2024

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