How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i5-9400F scores 28.5/100 overall; Intel Core i7-9700K scores 37.6/100. Intel Core i5-9400F wins 3 individual spec rows, Intel Core i7-9700K wins 13.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i5-9400F and the Intel Core i7-9700K?

Intel Core i5-9400F advantages: 32% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 95 W; Has Cooler included — the other doesn't; Lower launch price: $157 vs $374. Intel Core i7-9700K advantages: Stronger single-core score: 39 vs 30; Stronger multi-core score: 36 vs 28; 64% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 9,700 vs 5,900; 56% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 7,000 vs 4,500; 54% higher PassMark: 14,300 vs 9,300.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i5-9400F or Intel Core i7-9700K?

Intel Core i5-9400F launched cheaper at $157, versus $374 for the Intel Core i7-9700K.

Intel Core i5-9400F vs Intel Core i7-9700K

Intel

Intel Core i5-9400F

$157

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i7-9700K

$374

30.1Single-core39

27.9Multi-core35.5

27.8Gamingspec-based39.8

3 spec wins — Intel Core i5-9400F13 spec wins — Intel Core i7-9700K

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i7-9700K wins this desktop processor face-off, 37.6 to 28.5, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+9) and multi-core (+8). Intel Core i5-9400F 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

32% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 95 W
Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
Lower launch price: $157 vs $374

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-9700K

Stronger single-core score: 39 vs 30
Stronger multi-core score: 36 vs 28
64% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 9,700 vs 5,900
56% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 7,000 vs 4,500
54% higher PassMark: 14,300 vs 9,300

General

General comparison: Intel Core i5-9400F versus Intel Core i7-9700K
Spec	Intel Core i5-9400F	Intel Core i7-9700K
Announced	2019	2018
Socket	LGA1151-v2	LGA1151-v2
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Base TDP	65 W+32%	95 W
Max turbo power	—	119 W
Unlocked multiplier	No	Yes
Cooler included	Yes	No

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i5-9400F versus Intel Core i7-9700K
Spec	Intel Core i5-9400F	Intel Core i7-9700K
Cores	6	8+33%
Performance cores	6	8+33%
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	6	8+33%
Base clock	2.9 GHz	3.6 GHz+24%
Boost clock	4.1 GHz	4.9 GHz+20%
L2 cache	2 MB	2 MB+33%
L3 cache	9 MB	12 MB+33%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i5-9400F versus Intel Core i7-9700K
Spec	Intel Core i5-9400F	Intel Core i7-9700K
iGPU	—	Intel UHD Graphics 630
iGPU clock	—	1,200 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i5-9400F versus Intel Core i7-9700K
Spec	Intel Core i5-9400F	Intel Core i7-9700K
Memory support	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2666
Max memory	128 GB	128 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i5-9400F versus Intel Core i7-9700K
Spec	Intel Core i5-9400F	Intel Core i7-9700K
PCIe version	3	3
CPU PCIe lanes	16	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i5-9400F versus Intel Core i7-9700K
Spec	Intel Core i5-9400F	Intel Core i7-9700K
Geekbench 6 (single)	1,400Bottom 24%	1,680+20%Bottom 39%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	4,500Bottom 16%	7,000+56%Bottom 37%
Cinebench R23 (single)	1,080Bottom 14%	1,250+16%Bottom 27%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	5,900Bottom 18%	9,700+64%Bottom 34%
PassMark	9,300Bottom 15%	14,300+54%Bottom 25%

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