How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i5-9400F scores 28.5/100 overall; Intel Core i7-4790 scores 25.9/100. Intel Core i5-9400F wins 13 individual spec rows, Intel Core i7-4790 wins 2.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i5-9400F and the Intel Core i7-4790?

Intel Core i5-9400F advantages: 300% higher Max memory: 128 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; 36% lower process: 14 nm vs 22 nm; Lower launch price: $157 vs $303. Intel Core i7-4790 advantages: 33% higher threads: 8 vs 6; 24% higher Base clock: 3.6 GHz vs 2.9 GHz.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i5-9400F or Intel Core i7-4790?

Intel Core i5-9400F launched cheaper at $157, versus $303 for the Intel Core i7-4790.

Intel Core i5-9400F vs Intel Core i7-4790

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i5-9400F

$157

Intel

Intel Core i7-4790

$303

30.1Single-core27.2

27.9Multi-core25.9

27.8Gamingspec-based24.4

13 spec wins — Intel Core i5-9400F2 spec wins — Intel Core i7-4790

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i5-9400F wins this desktop processor face-off, 28.5 to 25.9, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+3) and multi-core (+2). 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 i5-9400F

300% higher Max memory: 128 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
36% lower process: 14 nm vs 22 nm
Lower launch price: $157 vs $303

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-4790

33% higher threads: 8 vs 6
24% higher Base clock: 3.6 GHz vs 2.9 GHz

General

General comparison: Intel Core i5-9400F versus Intel Core i7-4790
Spec	Intel Core i5-9400F	Intel Core i7-4790
Announced	2019	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 i5-9400F versus Intel Core i7-4790
Spec	Intel Core i5-9400F	Intel Core i7-4790
Cores	6+50%	4
Performance cores	6+50%	4
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	6	8+33%
Base clock	2.9 GHz	3.6 GHz+24%
Boost clock	4.1 GHz+2%	4 GHz
L2 cache	2 MB+50%	1 MB
L3 cache	9 MB+13%	8 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i5-9400F versus Intel Core i7-4790
Spec	Intel Core i5-9400F	Intel Core i7-4790
iGPU	—	Intel HD Graphics 4600
iGPU clock	—	1,200 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i5-9400F versus Intel Core i7-4790
Spec	Intel Core i5-9400F	Intel Core i7-4790
Memory support	DDR4-2666	DDR3-1600
Max memory	128 GB+300%	32 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i5-9400F versus Intel Core i7-4790
Spec	Intel Core i5-9400F	Intel Core i7-4790
PCIe version	3	3
CPU PCIe lanes	16	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i5-9400F versus Intel Core i7-4790
Spec	Intel Core i5-9400F	Intel Core i7-4790
Geekbench 6 (single)	1,400+14%Bottom 24%	1,230Bottom 16%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	4,500+11%Bottom 16%	4,050Bottom 14%
Cinebench R23 (single)	1,080Bottom 14%	—
Cinebench R23 (multi)	5,900+28%Bottom 18%	4,600Bottom 12%
PassMark	9,300+12%Bottom 15%	8,300Bottom 11%

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