Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen 9 4900HS

Intel

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 9 4900HS

8 Cores16 Thrd35 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020
Ryzen family
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Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen 9 4900HS 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 9 4900HS 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 4900HS: 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

  • +50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
  • 100% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 9 4900HS.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 4900HS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (13,029 vs 18,793).
  • Launch MSRP is still $160 MSRP, while Ryzen 9 4900HS mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 9 4900HS can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 9 4900HS

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +7.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Vega 8, while Core i5-10400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 4900HS better than Core i5-10400F?
Yes. Ryzen 9 4900HS is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 44.2% 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 9 4900HS is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.9% 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 4900HS is the stronger fit. You are getting 44.2% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 9 4900HS is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-10400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen 9 4900HS comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-10400F is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 9 4900HS makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 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 9 4900HS 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 9 4900HS

The Ryzen 9 4900HS is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 March 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Renoir (Zen 2) (2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FP6. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-4266. Passmark benchmark score: 18,793 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 9 4900HS offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 9 4900HS has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen 9 4900HS — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 9 4900HS uses Renoir (Zen 2) (2020) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Ryzen 9 4900HS's 18,793 — a 36.2% lead for the Ryzen 9 4900HS. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 8 MB (total) on the Ryzen 9 4900HS.

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen 9 4900HS
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz
4.3 GHz
Base Clock
2.9 GHz
3 GHz+3%
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)+50%
8 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
512 kB (per core)+100%
Process
14 nm
7 nm-50%
Architecture
Comet Lake (2020−2025)
Renoir (Zen 2) (2020)
PassMark
13,029
18,793+44%
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 9 4900HS uses FP6 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus LPDDR4-4266 on the Ryzen 9 4900HS — the Ryzen 9 4900HS supports 60% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-10400F supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 8 (Ryzen 9 4900HS) — the Core i5-10400F offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen 9 4900HS
Socket
LGA1200
FP6
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
LPDDR4-4266+60%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB+100%
64 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
16+100%
8
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 9 4900HS). The Ryzen 9 4900HS includes integrated graphics (Vega 8), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, Ryzen 9 4900HS targets Mobile High-End. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen 9 4900HS
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
Vega 8
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
AMD-V
Target Use
Gaming
Mobile High-End