Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen 9 9955HX3D

Intel

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 9 9955HX3D

16 Cores32 Thrd55 WWMax: 5.4 GHz2025
Ryzen family
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Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen 9 9955HX3D 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 9955HX3D 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 9955HX3D: 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 $589 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $749 MSRP).
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 9 9955HX3D.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 9955HX3D across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (13,029 vs 61,578).
  • 18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.
  • Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Ryzen 9 9955HX3D moves to FL1 and DDR5.
  • No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 9 9955HX3D can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 9 9955HX3D

2025

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +48.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
  • Newer platform on FL1 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
  • 75% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with AMD Radeon 610M, while Core i5-10400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • 368.1% HIGHER MSRP
    $749 MSRPvs$160 MSRP
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 9955HX3D better than Core i5-10400F?
Yes. Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 48.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 372.6% 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 9955HX3D is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 48.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests. It also has a clear cache advantage at 128 MB versus 12 MB.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is the stronger fit. You are getting 372.6% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 966.7% larger total L3 cache (128 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is the better buy right now. Ryzen 9 9955HX3D comes in 368.1% more expensive on MSRP at $749 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 48.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1.0% better value on MSRP (82.2 vs 81.4 PassMark/$), 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 9955HX3D makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2020), a healthier platform with FL1 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, 3D V-Cache and a much larger 128 MB L3 cache instead of 12 MB, and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 32 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen 9 9955HX3D 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 9955HX3D

The Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2025-01-01. It is based on the Fire Range-HX (Zen 5) (2025) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 128 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FL1. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 61,578 points. Launch price was $700.

Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 5.4 GHz on the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D — a 22.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D uses Fire Range-HX (Zen 5) (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D's 61,578 — a 130.1% lead for the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 128 MB (total) on the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D.

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen 9 9955HX3D
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
16 / 32+167%
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz
5.4 GHz+26%
Base Clock
2.9 GHz+16%
2.5 GHz
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
128 MB (total)+967%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)+25500%
1 MB (per core)
Process
14 nm
4 nm-71%
Architecture
Comet Lake (2020−2025)
Fire Range-HX (Zen 5) (2025)
PassMark
13,029
61,578+373%
Cinebench R23 Multi
8,191
Geekbench 6 Single
1,454
Geekbench 6 Multi
5,783
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D uses FL1 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus 5600 on the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D — the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D supports 110.1% 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 96 GB 33.3% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 28 (Ryzen 9 9955HX3D) — the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and FL1 (Ryzen 9 9955HX3D).

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen 9 9955HX3D
Socket
LGA1200
FL1
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
5600+110%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB+33%
96 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16
28+75%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) vs VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (Ryzen 9 9955HX3D). The Ryzen 9 9955HX3D includes integrated graphics (AMD Radeon 610M), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600; Ryzen 9 9955HX3D rivals Core Ultra 9 185H.

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen 9 9955HX3D
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
AMD Radeon 610M
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V
Target Use
Gaming
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D came in at $749. On launch pricing ($160 vs $749), Core i5-10400F was $589 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 82.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D — making the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D the 1% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen 9 9955HX3D
MSRP
$160-79%
$749
Performance per Dollar
81.4
82.2
Release Date
2020
2025

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