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Intel Core i5-8400 vs Intel Core i9-9900K

Intel Core i5-8400
28.9Inno Score
VS
WINNER
Intel Core i9-9900K
41.3Inno Score
30.5Single-core37.4
28.8Multi-core40.5
27.2Gamingspec-based47.4
2 spec wins — Intel Core i5-840014 spec wins — Intel Core i9-9900K

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i9-9900K wins this desktop processor face-off, 41.3 to 28.9, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+12) and single-core (+7). Intel Core i5-8400 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

  • 32% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 95 W
  • Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
  • Lower launch price: $182 vs $488

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i9-9900K

  • Stronger single-core score: 37 vs 31
  • Stronger multi-core score: 41 vs 29
  • 167% higher threads: 16 vs 6
  • 100% higher Max memory: 128 GB vs 64 GB
  • 95% higher PassMark: 18,023 vs 9,235

General

General comparison: Intel Core i5-8400 versus Intel Core i9-9900K
SpecIntel Core i5-8400Intel Core i9-9900K
Announced20172018
SocketLGA1151-v2LGA1151-v2
Process14 nm14 nm
Base TDP65 W+32%95 W
Max turbo power—119 W
Unlocked multiplierNoYes
Cooler includedYesNo

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i5-8400 versus Intel Core i9-9900K
SpecIntel Core i5-8400Intel Core i9-9900K
Cores68+33%
Performance cores68+33%
Efficiency cores00
Threads616+167%
Base clock2.8 GHz3.6 GHz+29%
Boost clock4 GHz5 GHz+25%
L2 cache1.5 MB2 MB+33%
L3 cache9 MB16 MB+78%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i5-8400 versus Intel Core i9-9900K
SpecIntel Core i5-8400Intel Core i9-9900K
iGPUIntel UHD Graphics 630Intel UHD Graphics 630
iGPU clock1,050 MHz1,200 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i5-8400 versus Intel Core i9-9900K
SpecIntel Core i5-8400Intel Core i9-9900K
Memory supportDDR4-2666DDR4-2666
Max memory64 GB128 GB+100%
Memory channels22

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i5-8400 versus Intel Core i9-9900K
SpecIntel Core i5-8400Intel Core i9-9900K
PCIe version33
CPU PCIe lanes1616

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i5-8400 versus Intel Core i9-9900K
SpecIntel Core i5-8400Intel Core i9-9900K
Cinebench R23 (single)1,150Bottom 21%1,280+11%Bottom 28%
Cinebench R23 (multi)6,400Bottom 14%12,400+94%Bottom 44%
PassMark9,235Bottom 15%18,023+95%Bottom 38%
PassMark (single thread)2,364Bottom 15%2,908+23%Bottom 39%
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