Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX

Intel

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020
VS
AMD

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX

64 Cores128 Thrd350 WWMax: 5.4 GHz2025

Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX 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 Threadripper PRO 9985WX 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 Threadripper PRO 9985WX: 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…Costs $7,839 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $7,999 MSRP).
  • βœ…Delivers 322.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 19.3 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $7,999 MSRP).
  • βœ…Draws 65W instead of 350W, a 285W reduction.
  • βœ…Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,191 vs 120,000).
  • ❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX, which brings 64 cores / 128 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.
  • ❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX moves to sTR5 and DDR5.

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX

2025

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +60.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 64 cores / 128 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 16.
  • βœ…Newer platform on sTR5 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
  • βœ…700% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.3 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($7,999 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
  • ❌438.5% higher power demand at 350W vs 65W.
  • ❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX better than Core i5-10400F?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-10400F is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 60.5% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests. It also has a clear cache advantage at 256 MB versus 12 MB.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX is the stronger fit. You are getting 1365% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 64 cores and 128 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 2033.3% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX is still the much better call for a fresh build. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX comes in 4899.4% more expensive on MSRP at $7,999 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 60.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-10400F only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2020 platform. Even with 322.0% better value on paper (81.4 vs 19.3 PassMark/$), 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 Threadripper PRO 9985WX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2020), a healthier platform with sTR5 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, 3D V-Cache and a much larger 256 MB L3 cache instead of 12 MB, more multi-core headroom with 64 cores / 128 threads instead of 6/12, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-10400F vs Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX 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 Threadripper PRO 9985WX

The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 23 July 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Shimada Peak (2025) architecture. It features 64 cores and 128 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: sTR5. Thermal design power (TDP): 350 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 154,361 points. Launch price was $7,999.

⚑

Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX offers 64 cores / 128 threads β€” the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX has 58 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 5.4 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX β€” a 22.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020βˆ’2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX uses Shimada Peak (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX's 154,361 β€” a 168.9% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 8,191 vs 120,000 (174.4% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX). Geekbench 6 single-core β€” the metric most relevant to gaming β€” records 1,454 vs 3,644, a 85.9% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 37,967 (147.1% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 256 MB (total) on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX.

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
64 / 128+967%
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz
5.4 GHz+26%
Base Clock
2.9 GHz
3.2 GHz+10%
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
256 MB (total)+2033%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)+25500%
1 MB (per core)
Process
14 nm
4 nm-71%
Architecture
Comet Lake (2020βˆ’2025)
Shimada Peak (2025)
PassMark
13,029
154,361+1085%
Cinebench R23 Multi
8,191
120,000+1365%
Geekbench 6 Single
1,454
3,644+151%
Geekbench 6 Multi
5,783
37,967+557%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX uses sTR5 (PCIe 4.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus DDR5-6400 on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX β€” the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX supports 140.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX supports up to 2048 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB β€” 1500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-10400F) vs 8 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 128 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX) β€” the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX offers 112 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and WRX90,TRX50 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX).

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
Socket
LGA1200
sTR5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
DDR5-6400+140%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
2048 GB+1500%
RAM Channels
2
8+300%
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16
128+700%
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX supports AVX-512 instructions β€” important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) vs true (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX targets High-end Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600; Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX rivals Xeon w9-3475X.

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
Integrated GPU
No
No
Unlocked
No
β€”
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
true
Target Use
Gaming
High-end Workstation
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX came in at $7999. On launch pricing ($160 vs $7999), Core i5-10400F was $7839 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 19.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX β€” making the Core i5-10400F the 123.4% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-10400FRyzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
MSRP
$160-98%
$7999
Performance per Dollar
81.4+322%
19.3
Release Date
2020
2025

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