Core i5-10500 vs Core i5-11400T

Intel

Core i5-10500

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2020
Core family
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VS
Intel

Core i5-11400T

6 Cores12 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2021
Core family
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Core i5-10500 vs Core i5-11400T 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 i5-10500 vs Core i5-11400T 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 i5-10500 vs Core i5-11400T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-10500

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +30.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 65.3 vs 71.6 PassMark/$ ($200 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
  • 85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-11400T.

Core i5-11400T

2021

Why buy it

  • Costs $18 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
  • Delivers 9.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 71.6 vs 65.3 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
  • Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
  • 25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-10500.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10500 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (13,034 vs 13,067).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10500 better than Core i5-11400T?
Yes. Core i5-10500 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 30.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i5-10500 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 30.2% 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 i5-10500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-10500 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-11400T is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-10500 comes in 9.9% more expensive on MSRP at $200 MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you a 30.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-11400T is also 9.6% better value on MSRP (71.6 vs 65.3 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-11400T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2020). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-10500 vs Core i5-11400T Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Intel

Core i5-10500

The Core i5-10500 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 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 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: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 13,067 points. Launch price was $149.

Intel

Core i5-11400T

The Core i5-11400T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,034 points. Launch price was $182.

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-10500 and Core i5-11400T share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i5-10500 versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-11400T — a 19.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-10500 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 1.3 GHz). The Core i5-10500 uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-11400T uses Rocket Lake (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10500 scores 13,067 against the Core i5-11400T's 13,034 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-10500. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

FeatureCore i5-10500Core i5-11400T
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
6 / 12
Boost Clock
4.5 GHz+22%
3.7 GHz
Base Clock
3.1 GHz+138%
1.3 GHz
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
12 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
256K (per core)
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Comet Lake (2020−2025)
Rocket Lake (2021)
PassMark
13,067
13,034
Cinebench R23 Multi
3,891
Geekbench 6 Single
1,767
Geekbench 6 Multi
6,179
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1200 socket with PCIe 3.0. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10500 versus DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-11400T — the Core i5-11400T supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10500) vs 20 (Core i5-11400T) — the Core i5-11400T offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureCore i5-10500Core i5-11400T
Socket
LGA1200
LGA1200
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
DDR4-3200+20%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
16
20+25%
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i5-11400T supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10500) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-11400T). Both include integrated graphics UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-10500) and UHD 730 (Core i5-11400T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10500 targets Desktop, Core i5-11400T targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i5-11400T rivals Core i5-11400.

FeatureCore i5-10500Core i5-11400T
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 630
UHD 730
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Desktop
Productivity
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10500 was priced at $200, while the Core i5-11400T came in at $182. On launch pricing ($200 vs $182), Core i5-11400T was $18 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10500 delivers 65.3 pts/$ vs 71.6 pts/$ for the Core i5-11400T — making the Core i5-11400T the 9.2% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-10500Core i5-11400T
MSRP
$200
$182-9%
Performance per Dollar
65.3
71.6+10%
Release Date
2020
2021

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