The gap changes with resolution.
CPU differences shrink as resolution rises — at 4K the graphics card does most of the work.
| Resolution | i5-11400F | i5-10400F | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 66 | 57 | +16% |
| 1440p | 63 | 54 | +17% |
| 4K | 60 | 52 | +15% |
In a real build with a RTX 3080.
Specs alone don’t tell you which to buy. Here is what each one does when it’s actually paired up, at 1440p.
i5-11400F + RTX 3080
2% CPU-bound
The processor is the limit here and leaves frames on the table.
Full verdict for this pairing →i5-10400F + RTX 3080
6% CPU-bound
The processor is the limit here and leaves frames on the table.
Full verdict for this pairing →| Game (1440p, paired with the RTX 3080) | i5-11400F | i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| League of Legends | 282 fps | 267 fps |
| Counter-Strike 2 | 240 fps | 226 fps |
| Grand Theft Auto V | 123 fps | 117 fps |
| Elden Ring | 102 fps | 100 fps |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 77 fps | 75 fps |
| Starfield | 77 fps | 74 fps |
Modelled from benchmark data, not measured for every pairing. Our published error rate is 21.6% mean absolute error.
So which should you buy?
The i5-11400F — it is 17% ahead at 1440p, and it holds that lead in the pairings above.
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Common questions.
Straight answers on the i5-11400F versus the i5-10400F.
Is the i5-11400F better than the i5-10400F?
Yes, but by less than the spec sheet suggests. At 1440p the i5-11400F scores 63 against 54 for the i5-10400F — roughly 17% faster.
Does the i5-11400F or i5-10400F bottleneck a RTX 3080?
Paired with a RTX 3080 at 1440p, the i5-11400F build comes out 2% CPU-bound, and the i5-10400F build comes out 6% CPU-bound. Being GPU-bound is the healthy outcome — it means the graphics card is the part working hardest.
Is it worth upgrading from the i5-10400F to the i5-11400F?
Only if you are also lifting the rest of the build. The i5-11400F is about 17% ahead at 1440p, and gaps like that shrink further at 4K where the GPU does more of the work. If you are upgrading from the i5-10400F purely for frames, check the pairing first.
Which is better value, the i5-11400F or the i5-10400F?
On performance per dollar at MSRP, the i5-11400F wins. The i5-11400F lists at $157 for an index of 63, and the i5-10400F at $160 for 54.
Check either one against your build.
Pick a CPU and its counterpart, and get a verdict at all three resolutions in under 30 seconds.