Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen AI Max PRO 385

Intel

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020
VS
AMD

Ryzen AI Max PRO 385

8 Cores16 Thrd55 WWMax: 5 GHz2025

Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 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 Max PRO 385 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 Max PRO 385: 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

  • βœ…Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen AI Max PRO 385.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,191 vs 16,500).
  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 32 MB).
  • ❌Launch MSRP is still $160 MSRP, while Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • ❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.

Ryzen AI Max PRO 385

2025

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +41.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…+166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
  • βœ…Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
  • βœ…Newer platform on FP11 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
  • βœ…25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 better than Core i5-10400F?
Yes. Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 41.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 101.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 141.8% 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 AI Max PRO 385 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 41.0% 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 AI Max PRO 385 is the stronger fit. You are getting 101.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 41.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-10400F only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2020 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (81.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1200.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2020), a healthier platform with FP11 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, 166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 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 (2020βˆ’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 Max PRO 385

The Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Strix Halo (2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP11. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 31,508 points. Launch price was $499.

⚑

Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 offers 8 cores / 16 threads β€” the Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 5 GHz on the Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 β€” a 15.1% clock advantage for the Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020βˆ’2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 uses Strix Halo (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Ryzen AI Max PRO 385's 31,508 β€” a 83% lead for the Ryzen AI Max PRO 385. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 8,191 vs 16,500 (67.3% advantage for the Ryzen AI Max PRO 385). Geekbench 6 single-core β€” the metric most relevant to gaming β€” records 1,454 vs 2,886, a 66% lead for the Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 14,136 (83.9% advantage for the Ryzen AI Max PRO 385). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen AI Max PRO 385.

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen AI Max PRO 385
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz
5 GHz+16%
Base Clock
2.9 GHz
3.6 GHz+24%
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
32 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)+25500%
1 MB (per core)
Process
14 nm
4 nm-71%
Architecture
Comet Lake (2020βˆ’2025)
Strix Halo (2025)
PassMark
13,029
31,508+142%
Cinebench R23 Multi
8,191
16,500+101%
Geekbench 6 Single
1,454
2,886+98%
Geekbench 6 Multi
5,783
14,136+144%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 uses FP11 (PCIe 4.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus LPDDR5x-8000 on the Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 β€” the Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 supports 200.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-10400F) vs 8 (Ryzen AI Max PRO 385). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 20 (Ryzen AI Max PRO 385) β€” the Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and Strix Halo platform (Ryzen AI Max PRO 385).

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen AI Max PRO 385
Socket
LGA1200
FP11
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
LPDDR5x-8000+200%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
8+300%
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
16
20+25%
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking β€” a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 supports AVX-512 instructions β€” important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) vs AMD-V (Ryzen AI Max PRO 385). The Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 includes integrated graphics (Radeon 8050S), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 targets Enterprise AI Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600; Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 rivals M3 Max.

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen AI Max PRO 385
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
β€”
Radeon 8050S
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
AMD-V
Target Use
Gaming
Enterprise AI Mobile