Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen 3 1200

CPU

GPU

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020

Popular choices:

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Ryzen 3 1200

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2017

Popular choices:

•••••••••

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-10400F

6 / 12

13,029

+103.4%

6,407

0.0%

Athlon II X4 651

Ryzen Embedded R1606G

FX-8320E

Ryzen 3 3300U

Ryzen Threadripper 2920X

Ryzen 9 5900XT

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i5-10400F

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +78.9% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Delivers 38.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 58.8 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $109 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌
46.8% HIGHER MSRP
$160 MSRPvs$109 MSRP

Ryzen 3 1200

2017

Why buy it

✅Costs $51 less on MSRP ($109 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
✅50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (3,013 vs 8,191).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 58.8 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($109 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).

Core i5-10400F

2020

Ryzen 3 1200

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +78.9% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Delivers 38.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 58.8 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $109 MSRP).

Why buy it

✅Costs $51 less on MSRP ($109 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
✅50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
46.8% HIGHER MSRP
$160 MSRPvs$109 MSRP

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (3,013 vs 8,191).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 58.8 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($109 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than Ryzen 3 1200?

Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 78.9% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 171.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 103.4% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-10400F is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 78.9% more average FPS across 4 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 better fit. You are getting 171.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Core i5-10400F is the smarter buy today. Core i5-10400F is 46.8% more expensive on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $109 MSRP, and it gives you a 78.9% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 38.5% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 58.8 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 3 1200 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?

Core i5-10400F is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2017), 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom should age better as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i5-10400F Benchmark Check

Ryzen 3 1200 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Ryzen 3 1200
1080p
low	192 FPS	160 FPS
medium	152 FPS	146 FPS
high	123 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	100 FPS	94 FPS
1440p
low	153 FPS	141 FPS
medium	119 FPS	118 FPS
high	97 FPS	91 FPS
ultra	79 FPS	72 FPS
4K
low	82 FPS	67 FPS
medium	70 FPS	60 FPS
high	55 FPS	46 FPS
ultra	43 FPS	36 FPS

Open Core i5-10400F Open Ryzen 3 1200

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Ryzen 3 1200
1080p
low	326 FPS	160 FPS
medium	318 FPS	145 FPS
high	290 FPS	136 FPS
ultra	253 FPS	106 FPS
1440p
low	326 FPS	145 FPS
medium	292 FPS	125 FPS
high	267 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	234 FPS	93 FPS
4K
low	309 FPS	113 FPS
medium	258 FPS	100 FPS
high	235 FPS	78 FPS
ultra	199 FPS	58 FPS

Open Core i5-10400F Open Ryzen 3 1200

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Ryzen 3 1200
1080p
low	326 FPS	160 FPS
medium	326 FPS	160 FPS
high	326 FPS	160 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	160 FPS
1440p
low	326 FPS	160 FPS
medium	326 FPS	160 FPS
high	326 FPS	160 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	160 FPS
4K
low	326 FPS	160 FPS
medium	326 FPS	160 FPS
high	289 FPS	139 FPS
ultra	229 FPS	109 FPS

Open Core i5-10400F Open Ryzen 3 1200

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Ryzen 3 1200
1080p
low	326 FPS	160 FPS
medium	326 FPS	160 FPS
high	326 FPS	160 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	160 FPS
1440p
low	326 FPS	160 FPS
medium	326 FPS	160 FPS
high	326 FPS	160 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	160 FPS
4K
low	326 FPS	160 FPS
medium	326 FPS	160 FPS
high	326 FPS	160 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	160 FPS

Open Core i5-10400F Open Ryzen 3 1200

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-10400F and Ryzen 3 1200

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.

Ryzen 3 1200

The Ryzen 3 1200 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 27 July 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Summit Ridge (Zen) (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,407 points. Launch price was $109.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 3 1200 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 3.4 GHz on the Ryzen 3 1200 — a 23.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 3 1200 uses Summit Ridge (Zen) (2017) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Ryzen 3 1200's 6,407 — a 68.1% lead for the Core i5-10400F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 8,191 vs 3,013 (92.4% advantage for the Core i5-10400F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 1,000, a 37% lead for the Core i5-10400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 3,000 (63.4% advantage for the Core i5-10400F). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 8 MB (total) on the Ryzen 3 1200.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Ryzen 3 1200
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 4
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+26%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	3.1 GHz+7%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+50%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Summit Ridge (Zen) (2017)
PassMark	13,029+103%	6,407
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191+172%	3,013
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454+45%	1,000
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783+93%	3,000

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 3 1200 uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. The Core i5-10400F supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 24 (Ryzen 3 1200) — the Ryzen 3 1200 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and A320,B350,X370,B450,X470 (Ryzen 3 1200).

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Ryzen 3 1200
Socket	LGA1200	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	24+50%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 3 1200 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 3 1200). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, Ryzen 3 1200 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Ryzen 3 1200
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	Gaming	Budget

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-10400F launched at $160 MSRP, while the Ryzen 3 1200 debuted at $109. On MSRP ($160 vs $109), the Ryzen 3 1200 is $51 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 58.8 pts/$ for the Ryzen 3 1200 — making the Core i5-10400F the 32.3% better value option.