Intel Core i7-10700 vs Intel Core i3-10320 vs Intel Core i5-10400F

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 in 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).

Intel Core i3-10320

The Intel Core i3-10320 is an entry level quad-core desktop processor based on the Comet Lake-S architecture (CML-S, 4th generation of Skylake). The processor clocks at between 3.8 and 4.6 GHz and can execute up to eight threads with its four cores simultaneously thanks to Hyper-Threading. 

The processor is still manufactured in the old 14nm (14nm++) process. Thanks to the free multiplicator, the CPU can also be easily overclocked (but may not have much headroom).

The Comet Lake architecture is similar to Coffee Lake and offers the same features and is produced in the same 14nm process. Other than the improved clock rates, the memory controller now also supports faster DDR4-2933 RAM. More information on Comet Lake and all the models and articles on it can be found here.

Performance

The performance is similar to the old high end Intel Core i7-7700K due to the same architecture and similar clock speeds. 

Graphics

The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 iGPU is supposed to offer a similar performance as the UHD630 in the Core i7-9900K. As a  low-end solution it will only run current games smoothly at reduced details - if at all.

Power Consumption

Intel specifies the TDP with 65 Watts (PL1) but under full load up to 90 Watt are consumed (PL2 for 28s).

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 AMD Ryzen 7 4800U and Intel Core i7-9700K in multi-thread performance to be a more than decent mid-range option for your gaming setup.

Graphics

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

Power consumption

The Core i5 has a default TDP (also known as the long-term power limit) of 65 W. It can easily consume twice as much when under short-term loads though. Last but not the least, the CPU is built with an old, as of early 2023, 14 nm Intel process making for subpar energy efficiency.