Core i5-11400 vs Core i5-11400F

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 i5-11400 vs Core i5-11400F 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 i5-11400 vs Core i5-11400F: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-11400

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +15.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 730, while Core i5-11400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (7,260 vs 7,600).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 91.6 vs 107.7 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $157 MSRP).

Core i5-11400F

2021

Why buy it

✅+4.7% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Costs $25 less on MSRP ($157 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
✅Delivers 17.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 107.7 vs 91.6 PassMark/$ ($157 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-11400 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-11400 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-11400F better than Core i5-11400?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-11400 is ahead with a 15.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-11400F pulls ahead with 4.7% better Geekbench multi-core.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-11400F is the stronger fit. You are getting 4.7% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-11400F is the better buy right now. Core i5-11400F comes in $25 cheaper on MSRP at $157 MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you 4.7% better Geekbench multi-core. The compromise is that Core i5-11400 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 15.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 17.5% better value on MSRP (107.7 vs 91.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-11400F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-11400 vs Core i5-11400F Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-11400

The Core i5-11400 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 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 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: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 16,670 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i5-11400F

The Core i5-11400F 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 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 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: 16,902 points. Launch price was $157.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-11400 and Core i5-11400F share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-11400 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-11400F — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). Both are built on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-11400 scores 16,670 against the Core i5-11400F's 16,902 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i5-11400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,960 vs 2,000, a 2% lead for the Core i5-11400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 7,260 vs 7,600 (4.6% advantage for the Core i5-11400F). Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-11400	Core i5-11400F
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Rocket Lake (2021)	Rocket Lake (2021)
PassMark	16,670	16,902+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	10,350	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,960	2,000+2%
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,260	7,600+5%

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1200 socket with PCIe 4.0. Both support up to DDR4-3200 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: B560,Z590 (Core i5-11400) and B560,Z590 (Core i5-11400F).

Feature	Core i5-11400	Core i5-11400F
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20	20

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i5-11400 includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 730), while the Core i5-11400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11400 targets Mainstream Desktop, Core i5-11400F targets Mainstream Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-11400 rivals Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Core i5-11400	Core i5-11400F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 730	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Mainstream Desktop	Mainstream Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-11400 was priced at $182, while the Core i5-11400F came in at $157. On launch pricing ($182 vs $157), Core i5-11400F was $25 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-11400 delivers 91.6 pts/$ vs 107.7 pts/$ for the Core i5-11400F — making the Core i5-11400F the 16.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-11400	Core i5-11400F
MSRP	$182	$157-14%
Performance per Dollar	91.6	107.7+18%
Release Date	2021	2021

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