How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i5-8400 scores 29/100 overall; Intel Core i7-4790 scores 25.9/100. Intel Core i5-8400 wins 12 individual spec rows, Intel Core i7-4790 wins 3.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i5-8400 and the Intel Core i7-4790?

Intel Core i5-8400 advantages: Stronger Single-core score: 31 vs 27; 100% higher Max memory: 64 GB vs 32 GB; 50% higher cores: 6 vs 4; 50% higher Performance cores: 6 vs 4; 50% higher L2 cache: 2 MB vs 1 MB; Lower launch price: $182 vs $303. Intel Core i7-4790 advantages: 33% higher threads: 8 vs 6; 29% higher Base clock: 3.6 GHz vs 2.8 GHz; 14% higher iGPU clock: 1,200 MHz vs 1,050 MHz.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i5-8400 or Intel Core i7-4790?

Intel Core i5-8400 launched cheaper at $182, versus $303 for the Intel Core i7-4790.

Intel Core i5-8400 vs Intel Core i7-4790

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i5-8400

$182

Intel

Intel Core i7-4790

$303

31.1Single-core27.2

28.6Multi-core25.9

27.2Gaming24.4

12 spec wins — Intel Core i5-84003 spec wins — Intel Core i7-4790

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i5-8400 wins this desktop processor face-off, 29 to 25.9, pulling ahead mainly in Single-core (+4) and gaming (+3). Intel Core i7-4790 still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-8400

Stronger Single-core score: 31 vs 27
100% higher Max memory: 64 GB vs 32 GB
50% higher cores: 6 vs 4
50% higher Performance cores: 6 vs 4
50% higher L2 cache: 2 MB vs 1 MB
Lower launch price: $182 vs $303

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-4790

33% higher threads: 8 vs 6
29% higher Base clock: 3.6 GHz vs 2.8 GHz
14% higher iGPU clock: 1,200 MHz vs 1,050 MHz

General

General comparison: Intel Core i5-8400 versus Intel Core i7-4790
Spec	Intel Core i5-8400	Intel Core i7-4790
Announced	2017	2014
Socket	LGA1151-v2	LGA1150
Process	14 nm+36%	22 nm
Base TDP	65 W+23%	84 W
Unlocked multiplier	No	No
Cooler included	Yes	Yes

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i5-8400 versus Intel Core i7-4790
Spec	Intel Core i5-8400	Intel Core i7-4790
Cores	6+50%	4
Performance cores	6+50%	4
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	6	8+33%
Base clock	2.8 GHz	3.6 GHz+29%
Boost clock	4 GHz	4 GHz
L2 cache	2 MB+50%	1 MB
L3 cache	9 MB+13%	8 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i5-8400 versus Intel Core i7-4790
Spec	Intel Core i5-8400	Intel Core i7-4790
iGPU	Intel UHD Graphics 630	Intel HD Graphics 4600
iGPU clock	1,050 MHz	1,200 MHz+14%

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i5-8400 versus Intel Core i7-4790
Spec	Intel Core i5-8400	Intel Core i7-4790
Memory support	DDR4-2666	DDR3-1600
Max memory	64 GB+100%	32 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i5-8400 versus Intel Core i7-4790
Spec	Intel Core i5-8400	Intel Core i7-4790
PCIe version	3	3
CPU PCIe lanes	16	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i5-8400 versus Intel Core i7-4790
Spec	Intel Core i5-8400	Intel Core i7-4790
Geekbench 6 (single)	1,370+11%Top 75%	1,230Top 82%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	4,900+21%Top 78%	4,050Top 84%
Cinebench R23 (single)	1,150Top 75%	—
Cinebench R23 (multi)	6,400+39%Top 77%	4,600Top 85%
PassMark	9,200+11%Top 80%	8,300Top 84%

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