Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen 7 1700

CPU

GPU

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020

Core family

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Ryzen 7 1700

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2017

Ryzen family

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Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen 7 1700 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-10400F

6 / 12

13,029

0.0%

14,772

+13.4%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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 7 1700 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 7 1700: 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

✅+45.4% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 81.4 vs 105.5 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $140 MSRP).

Ryzen 7 1700

2017

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Costs $20 less on MSRP ($140 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
✅Delivers 29.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 105.5 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($140 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
✅50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,000 vs 1,454).
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,065 vs 8,191).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than Ryzen 7 1700?

Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 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, Core i5-10400F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.3% 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, Core i5-10400F is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-10400F is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 7 1700 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-10400F comes in 14.3% more expensive on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $140 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 7 1700 is also 29.6% better value on MSRP (105.5 vs 81.4 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 7 1700 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 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2017) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen 7 1700 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.

Ryzen 7 1700

The Ryzen 7 1700 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2 March 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Zen (2017−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 16384 kB. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,772 points. Launch price was $329.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 7 1700 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 7 1700 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 3.7 GHz on the Ryzen 7 1700 — a 15% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 1700 uses Zen (2017−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Ryzen 7 1700's 14,772 — a 12.5% lead for the Ryzen 7 1700. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 8,191 vs 8,065 (1.6% 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 5,000 (14.5% advantage for the Core i5-10400F). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 16384 kB on the Ryzen 7 1700.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Ryzen 7 1700
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+16%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	3 GHz+3%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	16384 kB+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	4096 kB+1500%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Zen (2017−2020)
PassMark	13,029	14,772+13%
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191+2%	8,065
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454+45%	1,000
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783+16%	5,000

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 1700 uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. 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 7 1700) — the Ryzen 7 1700 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and B350,X370,B450,X470,A520,B550,X570 (Ryzen 7 1700).

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Ryzen 7 1700
Socket	LGA1200	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	24+50%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 7 1700 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 7 1700). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, Ryzen 7 1700 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600; Ryzen 7 1700 rivals Core i7-7700K.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Ryzen 7 1700
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	Gaming	Workstation

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the Ryzen 7 1700 came in at $140. On launch pricing ($160 vs $140), Ryzen 7 1700 was $20 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 105.5 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 1700 — making the Ryzen 7 1700 the 25.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Ryzen 7 1700
MSRP	$160	$140-13%
Performance per Dollar	81.4	105.5+30%
Release Date	2020	2017

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