Intel Core i5-10400F vs Intel Core i5-9600K vs Intel Core i7-10700

Intel Core i5-10400F

The Intel Core i5-10400F is a mid-range processor for desktops with six cores based on the Comet Lake architecture (CML-S, 4th generation of Skylake). The processor clocks at between 2.9 and 4.3 GHz and can execute up to 12 threads simultaneously thanks to Hyper-Threading.

The processor is still manufactured on the old 14nm (14nm++) process.

The Comet Lake architecture is similar to Coffee Lake and offers the same features and is made with the same 14 nm process. Other than the improved clock rates, the memory controller now also supports faster DDR4-2666 RAM. More information on Comet Lake and all the models and articles on it can be found here.

Performance

The average 10400F in our database matches the Ryzen 7 4800U and also the Core i7-9700K in multi-thread performance to be a more than decent mid-range option for your gaming rig, as of early 2022.

Graphics

The CPUs with an "F" suffix do not feature an integrated graphics adapter. The Intel UHD Graphics 630 iGPU is deactivated.

Power consumption

This Core i5 has a default TDP (also known as the long-term power limit) of 65 W which is in line with most desktop chips.

The i5-10400F is built with one of the old 14 nm Intel processes for poor, as of mid 2023, energy efficiency.

Intel Core i5-9600K

The Intel Core i5-9600K is a high end desktop processor based on the Coffee Lake architecture. It offers an open multiplicator for easy overclocking and integrates 6 cores (no Hyperthreading therefore also 6 threads) clocked at 3.7 - 4.6 GHz and it needs a new Z390 based mainboard. It is manufactured in the second iteration of the improved 14nm process (14nm++).

Compared to the older Core i5-8600K, the 9600K offers about 10 to 15% higher performance. As the CPU still offers 6 cores and threads, the improvements are mostly due to the higher clock speeds. As a fast mid range desktop CPU, the i5-9600K is suited even for very demanding applications and perfect for 3D gaming.

The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 graphics card is clocked at up to 1.15 GHz and offers no advantage compared to previous generations. As it is a very low end GPU, only some low demanding games like Hearthstone can be played with it (see GPU page for benchmarks).

Intel specifies the TDP at 95 Watt, so if the CPU is used in laptops a big and chunky cooling system is needed to avoid throttling and lower clock speeds under sustained loads. When overclocking the CPU, the power consumption can easily rise up to 150 Watt and higher.

Intel Core i7-10700

The Intel Core i7-10700 is a high-end desktop CPU based on the Comet Lake architecture. The CPU offers 8 cores and 16 threads clocked at 2.9 - 4.8 GHz. All cores can run at up to 4.6 GHz.

Compared to the older Core i7-9700, the 10700 now enables HyperThreading and therefore in some applications a nice performance boost. The single core performance is quite similar.

The chip is manufactured on 14nm++ process at Intel. The TDP is rated at 65 Watt (PL1) but the PL2 is set to 224 Watt for short term boosts (up to 28 seconds).