The Intel Core i3-14100 is the objective winner of this comparison, securing victory in ten out of fourteen measured specifications. Its most significant technical advantage is its L2 cache, which is 233% larger than that of the alternative. This substantial improvement in cache capacity provides the Intel Core i3-14100 with a clear architectural edge across the majority of the evaluated metrics, establishing it as the superior component based on the provided data.

Users prioritizing raw processing efficiency and the benefits of a significantly larger L2 cache should select the Intel Core i3-14100. Conversely, the Intel Core i5-10400F remains the appropriate choice for those who specifically require a higher total core count, as it offers a 50% advantage in that category. Your decision should depend on whether your workload relies more heavily on the cache-heavy architecture of the newer model or the increased core count of the older unit.