Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen 7 1700X

CPU

GPU

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020

Core family

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Ryzen 7 1700X

8 Cores16 Thrd95 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2017

Ryzen family

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Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen 7 1700X Performance Spectrum

Core i5-10400F

6 / 12

13,029

0.0%

15,623

+19.9%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX

Ryzen 9 8940HX

Ryzen 9 9950X3D

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 1700X 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 1700X: 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 $239 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $399 MSRP).
✅Delivers 108.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 39.2 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $399 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 7 1700X.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (13,029 vs 15,623).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).

Ryzen 7 1700X

2017

Why buy it

✅+19.9% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
✅50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 39.2 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($399 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

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

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-10400F is ahead with a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 1700X pulls ahead with 19.9% better PassMark. Ryzen 7 1700X also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 1700X is the stronger fit. You are getting 19.9% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 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?

Core i5-10400F is the better buy right now. Core i5-10400F comes in $239 cheaper on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $399 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Ryzen 7 1700X is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 19.9% better PassMark. It is also 108.0% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 39.2 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 7 1700X can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap, but on MSRP alone you would want to find it meaningfully cheaper in real-world listings before that path becomes easy to justify.

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). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen 7 1700X 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 1700X

The Ryzen 7 1700X 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 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 16384 kB. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 15,623 points. Launch price was $399.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 7 1700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 7 1700X has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 3.8 GHz on the Ryzen 7 1700X — a 12.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 1700X uses Zen (2017−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Ryzen 7 1700X's 15,623 — a 18.1% lead for the Ryzen 7 1700X. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 16384 kB on the Ryzen 7 1700X.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Ryzen 7 1700X
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+13%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	3.4 GHz+17%
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	15,623+20%
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 1700X 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 1700X) — the Ryzen 7 1700X 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 300 series (Ryzen 7 1700X).

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Ryzen 7 1700X
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

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) / not specified (Ryzen 7 1700X). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Ryzen 7 1700X
Integrated GPU	No	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 7 1700X came in at $399. On launch pricing ($160 vs $399), Core i5-10400F was $239 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 39.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 1700X — making the Core i5-10400F the 70.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Ryzen 7 1700X
MSRP	$160-60%	$399
Performance per Dollar	81.4+108%	39.2
Release Date	2020	2017

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