Performance comparison: which is faster?
Core i5-10400F (Intel, 2020) and Core i5-8600K (Intel, 2018) are compared here. Compare not only scores, but also whether the motherboard can be reused and which GPU class is balanced with each CPU.
Overall performance: i5-10400F is about 2.4% faster
The sockets differ (LGA1200 / LGA1151), so switching requires a motherboard replacement. For games, performance balance with the GPU (guideline CPU:GPU = 0.9:1) matters more than CPU speed alone.
Relative performance score (higher is faster). Actual speed varies by workload, cooling, and memory configuration.
| Item | i5-10400F | i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Score | 12,800 | 12,500 |
| Generation | 10th Gen | 8th Gen |
| Socket | LGA1200 | LGA1151 |
| Release Year | 2020 | 2018 |
| Type | Desktop | Desktop |
| Compatible GPU Example | Radeon RX 6700 XT | GeForce RTX 5050 |
| If You Want To... | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Prioritize maximum speed for heavy work or a high-end GPU | i5-10400F |
| Upgrade while reusing the current motherboard | Choose the CPU matching your motherboard socket |
| Prioritize value and adequate performance | i5-8600K (the lower model is often sufficient) |
i5-10400F is about 2.4% higher by score (i5-10400F: 12800 points / i5-8600K: 12500 points). For gaming, the GPU tier usually matters more than a few percent of CPU difference. For CPU-heavy work such as video editing and streaming, choose the faster CPU.
i5-10400F is 10th Gen, while i5-8600K is 8th Gen.The sockets differ (LGA1200 / LGA1151), so switching requires a motherboard replacement.
Using our CPU:GPU = 0.9:1 guideline, Radeon RX 6700 XT pairs well with i5-10400F and GeForce RTX 5050 pairs well with i5-8600K. If either GPU is too strong or too weak, one part holds the other back.
