Comparing the i5 10400f and the Ryzen 5 3600 highlights their distinct strengths.
Comparing the i5 10400f and the Ryzen 5 3600 highlights their distinct strengths.
The board with an i5 can only reach 2666MHz, while the 2933MHz frequency is available only with an i7 or higher. (Intel still has some issues with RAM, but the 10th generation offers the best value they've made so far.) If you manage to find a reasonably priced Z490, you can upgrade the RAM using XMP settings and boost performance further! (I actually installed a 10600 + B460 + 2666MHz configuration.)
It's clear that opinions shift quickly in this area, especially just a few weeks ago when everyone thought Intel had regained the gaming title. Most people now believe the changes are minor, so it's best to choose the more affordable option with the strongest upgrade potential. In general, Ryzen is the way to go.
It wasn't even recognized two days ago... I was mainly emphasizing that it's not wise to decide only based on what's currently seen as "fastest," because the variations are usually minor. It's better to consider upgradability, costs, etc., since opinions on speed shift quickly (and depending on who you ask, of course).