Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen 9 3900

CPU

GPU

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020

Core family

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Ryzen 9 3900

12 Cores24 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2019

Ryzen family

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Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen 9 3900 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-10400F

6 / 12

13,029

0.0%

30,588

+134.8%

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX

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 9 3900 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 9 3900: 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 $339 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅Delivers 32.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 61.3 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 3900 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,191 vs 17,700).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 64 MB).

Ryzen 9 3900

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +21.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+433.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 12 MB).
✅50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 61.3 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($499 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 3900 better than Core i5-10400F?

Yes. Ryzen 9 3900 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 21.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 116.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 134.8% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 9 3900 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 21.1% 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 9 3900 is the stronger fit. You are getting 116.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 433.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Ryzen 9 3900 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-10400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen 9 3900 comes in 211.9% more expensive on MSRP at $499 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 21.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-10400F is also 32.8% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 61.3 PassMark/$), 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?

Core i5-10400F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2019). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen 9 3900 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 9 3900

The Ryzen 9 3900 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 24 September 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 30,588 points. Launch price was $499.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 9 3900 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Ryzen 9 3900 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen 9 3900 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 9 3900 uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Ryzen 9 3900's 30,588 — a 80.5% lead for the Ryzen 9 3900. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 8,191 vs 17,700 (73.5% advantage for the Ryzen 9 3900). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 1,713, a 16.4% lead for the Ryzen 9 3900 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 10,983 (62% advantage for the Ryzen 9 3900). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 3900.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Ryzen 9 3900
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	12 / 24+100%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	4.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	3.1 GHz+7%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	64 MB+433%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark	13,029	30,588+135%
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191	17,700+116%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454	1,713+18%
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783	10,983+90%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 9 3900 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 9 3900 — the Ryzen 9 3900 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 9 3900) — the Ryzen 9 3900 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and X570,B550,X470,B450 (Ryzen 9 3900).

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Ryzen 9 3900
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	No
PCIe Lanes	16	24+50%

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Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 9 3900 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 9 3900). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, Ryzen 9 3900 targets Workstation Desktop (low power). Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600; Ryzen 9 3900 rivals Core i9-9900.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Ryzen 9 3900
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	Gaming	Workstation Desktop (low power)

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the Ryzen 9 3900 came in at $499. On launch pricing ($160 vs $499), Core i5-10400F was $339 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 61.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 3900 — making the Core i5-10400F the 28.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Ryzen 9 3900
MSRP	$160-68%	$499
Performance per Dollar	81.4+33%	61.3
Release Date	2020	2019

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