Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen 5 7400

Intel

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 7400

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2025
Ryzen family
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Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen 5 7400 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 7400 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 7400: 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 $69 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $229 MSRP).
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 5 7400.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 7400 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (13,029 vs 22,010).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 81.4 vs 96.1 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $229 MSRP).
  • Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Ryzen 5 7400 moves to AM5 and DDR5.

Ryzen 5 7400

2025

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +6.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
  • Delivers 18.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 96.1 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($229 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
  • Newer platform on AM5 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • 43.1% HIGHER MSRP
    $229 MSRPvs$160 MSRP
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 7400 better than Core i5-10400F?
Yes. Ryzen 5 7400 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 68.9% 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 7400 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.7% 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 7400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 68.9% 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 7400 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 7400 comes in 43.1% more expensive on MSRP at $229 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 18.0% better value on MSRP (96.1 vs 81.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit 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 7400 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2020), a healthier platform with AM5 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, 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 gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen 5 7400 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 7400

The Ryzen 5 7400 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 16 September 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Raphael (2023−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 22,010 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-10400F and Ryzen 5 7400 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen 5 7400 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 7400 uses Raphael (2023−2025) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Ryzen 5 7400's 22,010 — a 51.3% lead for the Ryzen 5 7400. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 7400.

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen 5 7400
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
6 / 12
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz
4.3 GHz
Base Clock
2.9 GHz
3.3 GHz+14%
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
16 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)+25500%
1 MB (per core)
Process
14 nm
5 nm-64%
Architecture
Comet Lake (2020−2025)
Raphael (2023−2025)
PassMark
13,029
22,010+69%
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 7400 uses AM5 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen 5 7400
Socket
LGA1200
AM5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) / not specified (Ryzen 5 7400). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen 5 7400
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Gaming
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the Ryzen 5 7400 came in at $229. On launch pricing ($160 vs $229), Core i5-10400F was $69 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 96.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 7400 — making the Ryzen 5 7400 the 16.5% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen 5 7400
MSRP
$160-30%
$229
Performance per Dollar
81.4
96.1+18%
Release Date
2020
2025

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