Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen Embedded R1600

Intel

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020

Popular choices:

VS
AMD

Ryzen Embedded R1600

2 Cores4 Thrd25 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2020

Popular choices:

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i5-10400F

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +196.5% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +200% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 4 MB).
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen Embedded R1600.

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $160 MSRP, while Ryzen Embedded R1600 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 160% higher power demand at 65W vs 25W.

Ryzen Embedded R1600

2020

Why buy it

  • Draws 25W instead of 65W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (3,276 vs 13,029).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 12 MB).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than Ryzen Embedded R1600?
Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 196.5% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data, 297.7% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i5-10400F is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 196.5% more average FPS across 3 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 better fit. You are getting 297.7% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also carries 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 smarter buy today. Core i5-10400F is at an unclear MSRP at $160 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 196.5% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-10400F is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 200% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 4 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom should age better as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetCore i5-10400FRyzen Embedded R1600
1080p
low192 FPS82 FPS
medium152 FPS82 FPS
high123 FPS82 FPS
ultra100 FPS82 FPS
1440p
low153 FPS82 FPS
medium119 FPS82 FPS
high97 FPS82 FPS
ultra79 FPS66 FPS
4K
low82 FPS61 FPS
medium70 FPS54 FPS
high55 FPS41 FPS
ultra43 FPS32 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetCore i5-10400FRyzen Embedded R1600
1080p
low326 FPS82 FPS
medium318 FPS82 FPS
high290 FPS82 FPS
ultra253 FPS65 FPS
1440p
low326 FPS82 FPS
medium292 FPS75 FPS
high267 FPS70 FPS
ultra234 FPS55 FPS
4K
low309 FPS61 FPS
medium258 FPS54 FPS
high235 FPS37 FPS
ultra199 FPS25 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetCore i5-10400FRyzen Embedded R1600
1080p
low326 FPS82 FPS
medium326 FPS82 FPS
high326 FPS82 FPS
ultra326 FPS82 FPS
1440p
low326 FPS82 FPS
medium326 FPS82 FPS
high326 FPS82 FPS
ultra326 FPS82 FPS
4K
low326 FPS82 FPS
medium326 FPS82 FPS
high289 FPS82 FPS
ultra229 FPS82 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetCore i5-10400FRyzen Embedded R1600
1080p
low326 FPS82 FPS
medium326 FPS82 FPS
high326 FPS82 FPS
ultra326 FPS82 FPS
1440p
low326 FPS82 FPS
medium326 FPS82 FPS
high326 FPS82 FPS
ultra326 FPS82 FPS
4K
low326 FPS82 FPS
medium326 FPS82 FPS
high326 FPS82 FPS
ultra326 FPS82 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-10400F and Ryzen Embedded R1600

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 Embedded R1600

The Ryzen Embedded R1600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 25 February 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Zen (2017−2020) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,276 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen Embedded R1600 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-10400F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 3.1 GHz on the Ryzen Embedded R1600 — a 32.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen Embedded R1600 uses Zen (2017−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Ryzen Embedded R1600's 3,276 — a 119.6% lead for the Core i5-10400F. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen Embedded R1600.

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen Embedded R1600
Cores / Threads
6 / 12+200%
2 / 4
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz+39%
3.1 GHz
Base Clock
2.9 GHz+12%
2.6 GHz
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)+200%
4 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
512 kB (per core)+100%
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Comet Lake (2020−2025)
Zen (2017−2020)
PassMark
13,029+298%
3,276
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 Embedded R1600 uses FP5 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen Embedded R1600
Socket
LGA1200
FP5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
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 Embedded R1600). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen Embedded R1600
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Gaming
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-10400F launched at $160 MSRP, while the Ryzen Embedded R1600 debuted at $0. On MSRP ($160 vs $0), the Ryzen Embedded R1600 is $160 cheaper.

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen Embedded R1600
MSRP
$160
$0-100%
Performance per Dollar
81.4
Release Date
2020
2020