Core i7-1250U vs Core i5-10400F
Core i7-1250U
Core i5-10400F
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. The Core i7-1250U is positioned at rank #767 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-1250U
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-10400F
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-1250U | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($426) | ✅ More affordable ($102) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-U (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Comet Lake (2020−2025) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-1250U | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+381%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($426) | ✅ More affordable ($102) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-1250U and Core i5-10400F
Core i7-1250U
The Core i7-1250U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 February 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture. It features 10 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1781. Thermal design power (TDP): 9.5 MB + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 11,305 points. Launch price was $149.
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.
Processing Power
The Core i7-1250U packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-10400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-1250U has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-1250U versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F — a 8.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-1250U (base: 1.1 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i7-1250U uses the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-10400F uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-1250U scores 11,305 against the Core i5-10400F's 13,029 — a 14.2% lead for the Core i5-10400F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 6,788 vs 8,191 (18.7% advantage for the Core i5-10400F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,600 vs 1,454, a 9.6% lead for the Core i7-1250U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 6,500 vs 5,783 (11.7% advantage for the Core i7-1250U). Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i7-1250U | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 10 / 12+67% | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 4.7 GHz+9% | 4.3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 1.1 GHz | 2.9 GHz+164% |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total) | 12 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core)+400% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | Intel 7 nm-50% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-U (2022) | Comet Lake (2020−2025) |
| PassMark | 11,305 | 13,029+15% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 6,788 | 8,191+21% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,600+10% | 1,454 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 6,500+12% | 5,783 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-1250U uses the FCBGA1781 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-10400F uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5200 on the Core i7-1250U versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F — the Core i7-1250U supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-10400F supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-1250U) vs 16 (Core i5-10400F) — the Core i7-1250U offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SoC (Core i7-1250U) and H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F).
| Feature | Core i7-1250U | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1781 | LGA1200 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+67% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-5200+25% | DDR4-2666 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | 128 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20+25% | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-1250U) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F). The Core i7-1250U includes integrated graphics (Intel Iris Xe Graphics (96EU)), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-1250U targets Thin and Light Laptop, Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.
| Feature | Core i7-1250U | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel Iris Xe Graphics (96EU) | — |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Thin and Light Laptop | Gaming |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-1250U launched at $426 MSRP, while the Core i5-10400F debuted at $160.
| Feature | Core i7-1250U | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $426 | $160-62% |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $102 |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2020 |
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