Intel Core i5-7400 vs Intel Core i7-7700K

Processor comparisons   17-03-2021
   If you are thinking about choosing a CPU, you will be able to make a decision by looking at the Intel Core i5-7400 vs Intel Core i7-7700K tests and see which is better for games or normal use for streaming, video editing, programming, rendering, machine learning. Here you can find useful information from many benchmarks or real streaming and video editing tests. A thorough analysis of all the specifications, so that it can be easier to understand, is made by the table.
   From the video comparison, you can get the results of parallel examination in software tests like WPrime, Prime95, Blender, AIDA64, VeraCrypt, GeekBench 6, 5.2, Dolphin Emulator, Blender, Handbrake, PassMark, RealBench, DaVinci Resolve Studio, World of Tanks enCore Benchmark, SuperPi, Gears 5, Furmark, PCMark 10, 3DMark, UserBenchmark, Cinebench 23 (20, 15), MATLAB, 7zip.
   And how good the processors are in games:

Grand Theft Auto V
Valheim
Overwatch
Fortnite
Halo Infinite
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands
Red Dead Redemption 2
Cyberpunk 2077
Apex Legends
Last Man Standing
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
DOOM: Eternal
Rainbow Six Siege
Borderlands 3
Valorant
Fallout 76
Watch Dogs Legion
Death Stranding
Call of Duty: Warzone and Modern Warfare

After reading the results of all benchmarks and videos, you already be able to figure out which CPU is better to buy for gaming Intel Core i7-7700K or Intel Core i5-7400.

Summary benchmark results

As a percentage of the maximum value based on a sample from the entire base of all processors
Processor Benchmark

Core i5-7400

51%

Core i7-7700K

52%

The number of this parameter shows the performance of the processors in single-threaded and multi-threaded mode. In this comparison, Core i7-7700K is 1% better than Core i5-7400. The data source is several popular tests. More detailed information of the benchmarks is below.

Gaming performance
Summary result of all game benchmarks.

Core i5-7400

51%

Core i7-7700K

53%

For the maximum in this test, the results of the most powerful processor in the site database are taken. And it is clear that this is a server processor, on which no one will play games. Because the cost of this processor reaches several tens of thousands of dollars. And if it seems to you that the selected CPU has a small game result, just look at the FPS that it produces in real games in the summary table below.
List of other games in which CPU comparisons were performed: DOTA 2A, Metro Exodus, Horizon Zero Dawn, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG), Hitman 3, Ghostrunner, Half-Life: Alyx, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS GO), Control, Battlefield V, Resident Evil 7 Biohazard, League of Legends (LOL), Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Forza Horizon 4, NBA 2K20, Microsoft Flight Simulator, Monster Hunter World, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.

Gaming benchmark

Fortnite	91.4	93.7
Valorant	103.9	106.5
Cyberpunk 2077	58.2	59.7
Apex Legends	97.6	100.1
Call of Duty Warzone	77.9	79.9
Overwatch	84.1	86.3
Red Dead Redemption 2	71.7	73.5
DOOM Eternal	51.9	53.3
Warzone	81.0	83.1
Assassin's Creed	87.3	89.5
Valheim	86.2	88.4

The numbers in this table indicate the maximum FPS that was received on the device with the corresponding processor. Depending on the configuration of the computer (RAM size and Video Card) and graphics quality settings (Ultra, Medium, Normal), the results may differ quite significantly. We recommend that you better study the results of the Cinebench, GeekBench and Passmark becnmarks.
The tested computers not only did they have different amounts of RAM and different video cards. But users also tested them at different screen resolutions: FullHD, 2K or 4K. Therefore, the game benchmark data is approximate. But all video cards met the average system requirements of games. You will get more accurate information about how powerful the processor will be in games, if you get acquainted with the benchmarks that are made with the same video card that is installed in your computer.

Power consumption

Core i5-7400

49%

Core i7-7700K

49%

Software benchmarks

Let's say you plan to use the processor not only for gaming, but also for video rendering or video editing, machine learning, programming, streaming, then the main parameter for you is its performance in multi-threaded mode. In this mode, the CPU includes all threads and cores that it has to the maximum to reach maximum efficiency. You will learn this data from the benchmark tables below. Before you take into account the data from these tests, be sure to make sure that the program that you are going to use on your computer can work in multi-threaded mode. Because there are still many programs that can use only one core to run, and all the advantages of multi-core mode turns out to be unnecessary.
Cinebench 23, 20 an 15
The results of this benchmark show Single-threaded and Multi-threaded CPU performance

	Intel Core i5-7400	Intel Core i7-7700K
Cinbench 15 Single-core	149	200
Cinbench 15 Multi-core	564	995
Cinbench 20 Single-core	345	466
Cinbench 20 Multi-core	1266	2257
Cinbench 23 Single-core	820	1216
Cinbench 23 Multi-core	2853	6055

Passmark
This popular benchmark displays Multi-threaded and Single-threaded processor performance

	Intel Core i5-7400	Intel Core i7-7700K
Single-Core	2131	2791
Multi-Core	5499	9750

GeekBench 6, 5.2
This benchmark shows Multi-threaded and Single-threaded processor performance

	Intel Core i5-7400	Intel Core i7-7700K
Single-Core	959	1412
Multi-Core	3349	5637

Comparison of specifications

In the specification comparison table, the most helpful will be the release date of the processor and the possibility of overclocking it. The newer the processor, the longer it will last you. And the easier it will be to upgrade the system later. The same can be said about overclocking. When the processor can be overclocked, increasing its performance, then it will continue to maintain maximum FPS in new games. Accordingly, there is no longer a need to buy a new CPU to enjoy the games any longer. The economy are obvious!

	Intel Core i5-7400	Intel Core i7-7700K
Announcement date	January 01, 2017	October 01, 2016
Type	Desktop	Desktop
Socket	FCLGA1151	LGA 1151
Core name	Kaby Lake	Kaby Lake
Architecture	x86	x86
Generation	7	7
Turbo Frequency	3.5 MHz	4.5 MHz
Frequency	3 MHz	4.2 MHz
Cores	4	4
Threads	4	8
Bus rate	8 GT/s	8 GT/s
Bit	64	64
Lithography	14 nm	14 nm
Transistors count	2460 millions	1760 millions
Power consumption (TDP)	65 W	95 W
Memory type	DDR4-2133/2400, DDR3L-1333/1600 @ 1.35V	DDR4-2133/2400, DDR3L-1333/1600 @ 1.35V
Max. Memory	64 Gb	64 Gb
Memory Frequency
Memory bandwidth
L1 cache
L2 cache
L3 cache	6 MB	8 MB
Overclocking	Yes	Yes
Supports ECC	No	No
Part number

In this comparison block, you should pay attention to the differences in clock speed and the number of cores. Here Core i7-7700K is 28% better than Core i5-7400 in terms of CPU frequency. Also keep in mind that high CPU frequency affects battery life through power consumption (relevant for laptops).

Result:
The number of parameters for which Intel Core i5-7400 is better: 3
The number of parameters for which Intel Core i7-7700K is better: 25
Although it should be realized that all the data that you have looked at here do not mean that taking them into account you should totally trust a simple comparison of these figures. Be sure to watch the testing video and read the reviews of real owners of Intel Core i5-7400 and Intel Core i7-7700K before deciding which CPU to buy for gaming and which not.

• Intel Core i5-7400 specs and review.

• Intel Core i7-7700K specs and review.