Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen 5 5600G

Intel

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020
Core family
·······
VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 5600G

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2021
Ryzen family
·······

Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen 5 5600G 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 5 5600G 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 5 5600G: 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

  • Costs $99 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $259 MSRP).
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 5 5600G.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 5600G across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (13,029 vs 19,696).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
  • No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 5 5600G can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 5 5600G

2021

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +9.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
  • 50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon Graphics (Vega 7), while Core i5-10400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • 61.9% HIGHER MSRP
    $259 MSRPvs$160 MSRP
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 5600G better than Core i5-10400F?
Yes. Ryzen 5 5600G is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 9.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 51.2% better 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, Ryzen 5 5600G is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 9.3% 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, Ryzen 5 5600G is the stronger fit. You are getting 51.2% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 5 5600G is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-10400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen 5 5600G comes in 61.9% more expensive on MSRP at $259 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-10400F is also 7.1% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 76.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Core i5-10400F 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?
Ryzen 5 5600G makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2020), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen 5 5600G 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 5 5600G

The Ryzen 5 5600G is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 13 April 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Cezanne (2021−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,696 points. Launch price was $259.

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-10400F and Ryzen 5 5600G share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600G — a 2.3% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600G (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.9 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600G uses Cezanne (2021−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Ryzen 5 5600G's 19,696 — a 40.7% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600G. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 16 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600G.

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen 5 5600G
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
6 / 12
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz
4.4 GHz+2%
Base Clock
2.9 GHz
3.9 GHz+34%
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
16 MB+33%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
512 kB (per core)+100%
Process
14 nm
7 nm-50%
Architecture
Comet Lake (2020−2025)
Cezanne (2021−2025)
PassMark
13,029
19,696+51%
Cinebench R23 Multi
8,191
Geekbench 6 Single
1,454
Geekbench 6 Multi
5,783
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600G uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600G — the Ryzen 5 5600G supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600G) — the Ryzen 5 5600G offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and AMD 400 series,AMD 500 series (Ryzen 5 5600G).

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen 5 5600G
Socket
LGA1200
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
DDR4-3200+20%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
16
24+50%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 5600G 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 5 5600G). The Ryzen 5 5600G includes integrated graphics (Radeon Graphics (Vega 7)), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, Ryzen 5 5600G targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen 5 5600G
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
Radeon Graphics (Vega 7)
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
AMD-V
Target Use
Gaming
Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the Ryzen 5 5600G came in at $259. On launch pricing ($160 vs $259), Core i5-10400F was $99 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 76.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600G — making the Core i5-10400F the 6.8% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen 5 5600G
MSRP
$160-38%
$259
Performance per Dollar
81.4+7%
76.0
Release Date
2020
2021

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.