When it comes to building a new personal computer from scratch, it’s a no-brainer that the most crucial doubt on everyone’s mind is which CPU they should choose. Either AMD or Intel? Over the course of the last several years, Ryzen has been steadily gaining ground on Intel, and the performance of its CPUs is now comparable to or, in some instances, even superior to that of their Intel counterparts. The pricing is another element that has pushed many consumers to choose Ryzen CPUs rather than Intel processors. This is one of the reasons why.
Today, we are going to investigate whether or not the age-old question, “Is Ryzen better than Intel?” can be answered in the affirmative. The Intel i5 10400f and the Ryzen 5 3600x will be compared head-to-head in this article, with the goal of determining which of these two processors is the superior option for constructing a computer. In order to determine which option is most suitable for you, we are going to go over everything from the clock speed to the performance benchmarks.
Theoretical Specifications Comparison
| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 3600x | Intel Core i5-10400f |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Generation | Zen3 | Comet Lake, 10th generation |
| Cores/Threads | 6/12 | 6/12 |
| Base Clock/Boost Clock | 3.8GHz/4.4 GHz | 2.9GHz/4.3GHz |
| Cache (L1/L2/L3) | 384KB/3MB/32MB | 64KB/256KB/12MB |
| Overclocking | Available | Not Available |
| PCle Version | PCle 4.0×16 | PCIe 3.0×16 |
| Memory Support | DDR4 (up to 3200 MHz) | DDR4 (up to 2666 MHz) |
| Cooling Solution | Wraithe Spire | Heatsink & Fan |
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
Both of these CPUs have the same amount of cores and threads i.e. 6 cores and 12 threads. But, the Ryzen 5 3600X is having higher clock and base frequency.
The Intel Core i5 10400F has a power consumption of 65 watts and has a boost frequency of 4.30 GHz. Intel has given us their word that the next generation of Rocket Lake central processor units will also be compatible with this chipset, despite the fact that the 10400F would need the purchase of a new LGA1200 motherboard, such as the Z490, in order to function properly.
The Ryzen 5 3600X has six cores and twelve threads. By this comparison, we can say that the 3600X is going to offer better performance in all terms. It has support for a higher memory clock speed. Also, it comes with the PCIe 4.0 support.
Benchmark Scores
| Parameter | Ryzen 5 3600X | Intel i5 10400F |
| CPU Mark Score | 18283 | 12426 |
| Single-Core Score | 1245 | 1107 |
| Multi-Core Score | 6869 | 5723 |
| Single-Thread Rating | 2670 | 2571 |
The Ryzen 5 3600X is beating the 10400F in both single-core and multi-core performance scores. The difference isn’t that huge but definitely, you are going to see a good difference when it comes to gaming or other tasks.
Cinebench Scores Comparison
In case you don’t know, Cinebench is CPU benchmarking software. It is used to calculate any CPU’s single-core and multi-core performance. These are three different versions of Cinebench i.e. R15, R20, and R23. R23 is the latest version with much more effective operation than the older version (R15 and R20)
- Multi-Core-Score. This score simply tells you the CPU’s performance in multitasking. Rendering, encoding, and most of the productivity software will make use of multi-cores.
- Single-Core Score. As the name suggests, this score determines the performance capability of a single CPU. This score is good to determine your CPU’s effectiveness in gaming and the overall snappiness in any operation.
| Cinebench Benchmark | Ryzen 5 3600X | Core i5 10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cinebench R23 (Single Core) | 1323 | 1120 |
| Cinebench R23 (Multi Core) | 9526 | 8164 |
| Cinebench R20 (Single Core) | 492 | 450 |
| Cinebench R20 (Multi Core) | 3895 | 3197 |
| Cinebench R15 (Single Core) | 202 | 190 |
| Cinebench R15 (Multi Core) | 1795 | 1340 |
The Cinebench scores for both are pretty close. But, just like the synthetic benchmark scores, the 3600X is beating the 10400F here as well.
Which One Is Good For Gaming?
Again, it is clear that the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X is a better option for gaming as well. Because both single-core and multi-core performance are better with the 3600X, it is definitely a good thing to go with it.
There is a single reason why you might want to pick the 10400F over 3600X and that is its integrated graphics. If you don’t want to buy a graphics card or do not want to play games at all, you should definitely go for 10400F. Nevertheless, you can play some games on the 10400F on medium and low settings. I have found a great gaming benchmark comparison of both these CPUs. Here, the Intel i5 10400F is beating the 3600X by good numbers.
If you are someone who wishes to build a PC for work and light gaming, then going for the Intel i5-10400F would be a good choice.
This is where the decision becomes tough. But, I would suggest you keep your budget into consideration and make your decision without much worrying. The performance difference isn’t very high.
Which One Is Good For Productivity?
For the record, both CPUs are great for productivity. They both have the same number of cores and threads, which means they both give the same productivity level. It is only under heavy usage of gaming that the difference can be seen.
For multitasking, you can’t see any difference when the number of cores and threads is the same. However, the clock frequency can make a difference in speed. So, the 3600X is having more of that. This is the reason why it was good in the synthetic benchmarks as well.
So, definitely, if you want to pick a CPU for productivity, you should for the 3600X.
Price Comparison
Surprisingly, the Intel Core i5 10400F is available at a smaller price tag. The 3600X is going to cost you around 80 bucks more than the 10400F. So, it is definitely a good comeback from Intel. However, the prices keep changing and I would suggest you check them before making your final decision.
Final verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
When kept side by side, both chips have the same performance level, and both are good at what they do. So, here I would like to recommend the Intel Core i5 10400F. The main reason is that the 10400F is cheaper and comes with an integrated GPU.
Now, if you are someone looking for a chipset for gaming, then going with the Ryzen 5 3600x may be a good choice. You can buy a good graphics card and build a strong system. But, if you do not want to go for a GPU for now, the 10400F will allow you to play most of the games on medium settings.
Let me know what you think about it!
I am Anshul Rana, an experienced author specializing in PC gear reviews and Windows 10 software tutorials. With a strong passion for technology and an in-depth understanding of the PC industry, I provide insightful and detailed analyses of computer peripherals, gaming gear, and software solutions. My writing style is concise yet informative, making complex topics accessible to both beginners and advanced users. Through my reviews and tutorials, I aim to offer valuable guidance, helping readers make informed decisions to enhance their PC experience and explore the vast possibilities of Windows 10 software.
