Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen 3 210

Intel

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 3 210

4 Cores8 Thrd28 WWMax: 4.7 GHz2025
Similar parts
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Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen 3 210 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 Ryzen 3 210 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 Ryzen 3 210: 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

  • +1490.5% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
  • +50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 3 210.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,454 vs 2,300).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 81.4 vs 133.4 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $99 MSRP).
  • 132.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 28W.
  • Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Ryzen 3 210 moves to FP7 and DDR5.
  • No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 3 210 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 3 210

2025

Why buy it

  • +58.2% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
  • Costs $61 less on MSRP ($99 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
  • Delivers 63.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 133.4 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($99 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
  • Draws 28W instead of 65W, a 37W reduction.
  • Newer platform on FP7 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (515 vs 8,191).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 3 210 better than Core i5-10400F?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 3 210 is ahead with a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-10400F pulls ahead with 1490.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core i5-10400F also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
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 1490.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has 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?
Ryzen 3 210 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 3 210 comes in $61 cheaper on MSRP at $99 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-10400F is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1490.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. It is also 63.8% better value on MSRP (133.4 vs 81.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 3 210 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2020) and a healthier platform with FP7 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen 3 210 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.

AMD

Ryzen 3 210

The Ryzen 3 210 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Hawk Point (2024−2025) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP7. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 13,209 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 3 210 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-10400F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 4.7 GHz on the Ryzen 3 210 — a 8.9% clock advantage for the Ryzen 3 210 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 3 210 uses Hawk Point (2024−2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Ryzen 3 210's 13,209 — a 1.4% lead for the Ryzen 3 210. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 8,191 vs 515 (176.3% advantage for the Core i5-10400F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 2,300, a 45.1% lead for the Ryzen 3 210 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 6,500 (11.7% advantage for the Ryzen 3 210). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 8 MB (total) on the Ryzen 3 210.

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen 3 210
Cores / Threads
6 / 12+50%
4 / 8
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz
4.7 GHz+9%
Base Clock
2.9 GHz
3 GHz+3%
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)+50%
8 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)+25500%
1 MB (per core)
Process
14 nm
4 nm-71%
Architecture
Comet Lake (2020−2025)
Hawk Point (2024−2025)
PassMark
13,029
13,209+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi
8,191+1490%
515
Geekbench 6 Single
1,454
2,300+58%
Geekbench 6 Multi
5,783
6,500+12%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 3 210 uses FP7 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus DDR5-5600 on the Ryzen 3 210 — the Ryzen 3 210 supports 110.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 3 210 supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 14 (Ryzen 3 210) — the Core i5-10400F offers 2 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and SoC (Ryzen 3 210).

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen 3 210
Socket
LGA1200
FP7
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
DDR5-5600+110%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
256 GB+100%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
16+14%
14
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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Ryzen 3 210 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 3 210). The Ryzen 3 210 includes integrated graphics (Radeon 740M), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, Ryzen 3 210 targets Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen 3 210
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
Radeon 740M
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
AMD-V
Target Use
Gaming
Laptop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the Ryzen 3 210 came in at $99. On launch pricing ($160 vs $99), Ryzen 3 210 was $61 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 133.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 3 210 — making the Ryzen 3 210 the 48.4% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen 3 210
MSRP
$160
$99-38%
Performance per Dollar
81.4
133.4+64%
Release Date
2020
2025

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