Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen AI 5 330

Intel

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020
Core family
·······
VS
AMD

Ryzen AI 5 330

4 Cores8 Thrd28 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2025
Similar parts
·······

Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen AI 5 330 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 AI 5 330 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 AI 5 330: 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

  • Better for gaming: +14.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +200% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 4 MB).
  • Costs $190 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $350 MSRP).
  • Delivers 122.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 36.6 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $350 MSRP).
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • 132.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 28W.
  • Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Ryzen AI 5 330 moves to FP8 and DDR5.

Ryzen AI 5 330

2025

Why buy it

  • Draws 28W instead of 65W, a 37W reduction.
  • Newer platform on FP8 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (12,794 vs 13,029).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 12 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 36.6 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($350 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than Ryzen AI 5 330?
Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 14.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.8% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i5-10400F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 14.3% 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, Core i5-10400F is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.8% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 4 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-10400F is the better buy right now. Core i5-10400F comes in $190 cheaper on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $350 MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 122.8% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 36.6 PassMark/$), 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 AI 5 330 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2020) and a healthier platform with FP8 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen AI 5 330 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 AI 5 330

The Ryzen AI 5 330 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 16 July 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Krackan Point 2 (2025) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR5, LPDDR5X. Passmark benchmark score: 12,794 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen AI 5 330 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-10400F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 4.5 GHz on the Ryzen AI 5 330 — a 4.5% clock advantage for the Ryzen AI 5 330 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen AI 5 330 uses Krackan Point 2 (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Ryzen AI 5 330's 12,794 — a 1.8% lead for the Core i5-10400F. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 4 MB on the Ryzen AI 5 330.

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen AI 5 330
Cores / Threads
6 / 12+50%
4 / 8
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz
4.5 GHz+5%
Base Clock
2.9 GHz+45%
2 GHz
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)+200%
4 MB
L2 Cache
256K (per core)+25500%
1 MB (per core)
Process
14 nm
4 nm-71%
Architecture
Comet Lake (2020−2025)
Krackan Point 2 (2025)
PassMark
13,029+2%
12,794
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 AI 5 330 uses FP8 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen AI 5 330
Socket
LGA1200
FP8
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) / not specified (Ryzen AI 5 330). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen AI 5 330
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Gaming
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the Ryzen AI 5 330 came in at $350. On launch pricing ($160 vs $350), Core i5-10400F was $190 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 36.6 pts/$ for the Ryzen AI 5 330 — making the Core i5-10400F the 76.1% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen AI 5 330
MSRP
$160-54%
$350
Performance per Dollar
81.4+122%
36.6
Release Date
2020
2025

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.