Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen 7 5800XT

Intel

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 5800XT

8 Cores16 Thrd105 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2024
Ryzen family
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Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen 7 5800XT 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 7 5800XT 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 5800XT: 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 $89 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 105W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 5800XT across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,191 vs 15,036).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 32 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 81.4 vs 112.4 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).

Ryzen 7 5800XT

2024

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +28.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
  • Delivers 38.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.4 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($249 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
  • 25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • 55.6% HIGHER MSRP
    $249 MSRPvs$160 MSRP
  • 61.5% higher power demand at 105W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 5800XT better than Core i5-10400F?
Yes. Ryzen 7 5800XT is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 28.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 83.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 114.8% higher 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 7 5800XT is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 28.5% 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 7 5800XT is the stronger fit. You are getting 83.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 5800XT is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 5800XT comes in 55.6% more expensive on MSRP at $249 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 28.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 38.1% better value on MSRP (112.4 vs 81.4 PassMark/$), 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 7 5800XT makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2020), 166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 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 7 5800XT 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 7 5800XT

The Ryzen 7 5800XT is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 31 July 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 27,992 points. Launch price was $249.

Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 7 5800XT offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 7 5800XT has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 7 5800XT — a 11% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 5800XT (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 5800XT uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Ryzen 7 5800XT's 27,992 — a 73% lead for the Ryzen 7 5800XT. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 8,191 vs 15,036 (58.9% advantage for the Ryzen 7 5800XT). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 2,172, a 39.6% lead for the Ryzen 7 5800XT that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 10,940 (61.7% advantage for the Ryzen 7 5800XT). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 5800XT.

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen 7 5800XT
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz
4.8 GHz+12%
Base Clock
2.9 GHz
3.8 GHz+31%
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
32 MB+167%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
512 kB (per core)+100%
Process
14 nm
7 nm-50%
Architecture
Comet Lake (2020−2025)
Vermeer (2020−2025)
PassMark
13,029
27,992+115%
Cinebench R23 Multi
8,191
15,036+84%
Geekbench 6 Single
1,454
2,172+49%
Geekbench 6 Multi
5,783
10,940+89%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 5800XT uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 5800XT — the Ryzen 7 5800XT 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 20 (Ryzen 7 5800XT) — the Ryzen 7 5800XT offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and B450,X470,B550,X570 (Ryzen 7 5800XT).

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen 7 5800XT
Socket
LGA1200
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
DDR4-3200+20%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16
20+25%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 7 5800XT 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, SVM (Ryzen 7 5800XT). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, Ryzen 7 5800XT targets Gaming / Content Creation (AM4 Legacy). Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600; Ryzen 7 5800XT rivals Core i7-12700K.

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen 7 5800XT
Integrated GPU
No
No
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
AMD-V, SVM
Target Use
Gaming
Gaming / Content Creation (AM4 Legacy)
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the Ryzen 7 5800XT came in at $249. On launch pricing ($160 vs $249), Core i5-10400F was $89 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 112.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 5800XT — making the Ryzen 7 5800XT the 32% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen 7 5800XT
MSRP
$160-36%
$249
Performance per Dollar
81.4
112.4+38%
Release Date
2020
2024

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