Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen 9 5900HX

CPU

GPU

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020

Core family

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Ryzen 9 5900HX

8 Cores16 Thrd45 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2021

Ryzen family

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Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen 9 5900HX Performance Spectrum

Core i5-10400F

6 / 12

13,029

0.0%

22,198

+70.4%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen 9 9900X3D

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

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 9 5900HX 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 5900HX: 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 $106 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $266 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 5900HX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,191 vs 13,955).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 9 5900HX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 9 5900HX

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +38.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon RX Vega 8, while Core i5-10400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌
66.3% HIGHER MSRP
$266 MSRPvs$160 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 5900HX better than Core i5-10400F?

Yes. Ryzen 9 5900HX is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 38.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 70.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 70.4% 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 9 5900HX is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 38.8% 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 5900HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 70.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 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?

Ryzen 9 5900HX is the better buy right now. Ryzen 9 5900HX comes in 66.3% more expensive on MSRP at $266 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 38.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 2.5% better value on MSRP (83.5 vs 81.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen 9 5900HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2020), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 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 9 5900HX 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 5900HX

The Ryzen 9 5900HX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 12 January 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Cezanne-H (Zen 3) (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FP6. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 22,198 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 9 5900HX offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 9 5900HX has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900HX — a 6.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900HX (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 9 5900HX uses Cezanne-H (Zen 3) (2021) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Ryzen 9 5900HX's 22,198 — a 52.1% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900HX. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 8,191 vs 13,955 (52.1% advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900HX). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 1,845, a 23.7% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900HX that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 7,587 (27% advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900HX). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 9 5900HX.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Ryzen 9 5900HX
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	4.6 GHz+7%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	3.3 GHz+14%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	16 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	7 nm-50%
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Cezanne-H (Zen 3) (2021)
PassMark	13,029	22,198+70%
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191	13,955+70%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454	1,845+27%
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783	7,587+31%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 9 5900HX uses FP6 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus DDR4-3200, LPDDR4-4266 on the Ryzen 9 5900HX — the Ryzen 9 5900HX supports 20% 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. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and FP6 (Ryzen 9 5900HX).

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Ryzen 9 5900HX
Socket	LGA1200	FP6
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-3200, LPDDR4-4266+20%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 9 5900HX 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 5900HX). The Ryzen 9 5900HX includes integrated graphics (Radeon RX Vega 8), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, Ryzen 9 5900HX targets Gaming Laptop / Mobile Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600; Ryzen 9 5900HX rivals Core i9-11980HK.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Ryzen 9 5900HX
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Radeon RX Vega 8
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	Gaming	Gaming Laptop / Mobile Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the Ryzen 9 5900HX came in at $266. On launch pricing ($160 vs $266), Core i5-10400F was $106 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 83.5 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 5900HX — making the Ryzen 9 5900HX the 2.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Ryzen 9 5900HX
MSRP	$160-40%	$266
Performance per Dollar	81.4	83.5+3%
Release Date	2020	2021

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