Intel Core i5-9400 vs Intel Core i5-10400

Processor comparisons   17-03-2021
   For example you can't decide which CPU to buy, you can make a decision by looking at the Intel Core i5-9400 vs Intel Core i5-10400 tests and see which is better for games or simple use for machine learning, streaming, programming, rendering, video editing. Here you can find all information from real streaming and video editing tests or different benchmarks. A step-by-step analysis of all the specifications, to make it easier to read, is summarized in the table.
   From the comparison video, you can get the results of parallel examination in special testing software like Blender, World of Tanks enCore Benchmark, Cinebench 23 (20, 15), Gears 5, AIDA64, Blender, Prime95, Dolphin Emulator, Furmark, DaVinci Resolve Studio, SuperPi, PassMark, PCMark 10, VeraCrypt, GeekBench 6, 5.2, Handbrake, MATLAB, WPrime, 7zip, UserBenchmark, RealBench, 3DMark.
   Gaming performance of CPUs in:

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

After looking at the data of all benchmarks and videos, you already be able to figure out which CPU is better to buy for gaming Intel Core i5-10400 or Intel Core i5-9400.

Summary benchmark results

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

Core i5-9400

52%

Core i5-10400

53%

This value shows the performance of the processors in single-threaded and multi-threaded mode. In this comparison, Core i5-10400 is 1% better than Core i5-9400. The data source is several popular tests. More detailed information of the benchmarks is below.

Gaming performance
Summary result of all game benchmarks.

Core i5-9400

53%

Core i5-10400

53%

For the maximum in this test, the results of the most powerful processor in the site database are taken. And of course, this is a server processor, on which no one will run 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 little game result, 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: Resident Evil 7 Biohazard, Battlefield V, Microsoft Flight Simulator, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Monster Hunter World, League of Legends (LOL), PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG), Control, Forza Horizon 4, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS GO), Metro Exodus, Ghostrunner, DOTA 2A, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Half-Life: Alyx, Horizon Zero Dawn, Hitman 3, NBA 2K20.

Gaming benchmark

Fortnite	93.5	94.8
Valorant	106.3	107.7
Cyberpunk 2077	59.5	60.3
Apex Legends	99.9	101.2
Call of Duty Warzone	79.7	80.8
Overwatch	86.1	87.2
Red Dead Redemption 2	73.3	74.3
DOOM Eternal	53.1	53.9
Warzone	82.9	84.0
Assassin's Creed	89.3	90.5
Valheim	88.2	89.4

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 computers that were in the comparisons not only did they have different amounts of RAM and different video cards. But users also tested them at different screen resolutions: 2K, 4K or FullHD. Therefore, the game benchmark data is approximate. But all video cards met the average system requirements of games. To be sure exactly how much performance the processor will be in games, if you compare it in one assembly with the video card that is installed in your computer.

Power consumption

Core i5-9400

56%

Core i5-10400

63%

To make a finishing choice on which processor is better, you should also consider the generation of its core. The newer the processor generation, the better its performance in games and benchmarks, as well as its energy efficiency. In this case the Core i5-10400 is more energy efficient than the Core i5-9400 as it consumes less power: 65W vs. 65W. Power consumption is especially important for laptops. Also, when choosing a processor cooling system, you must know its TDP. It is necessary to calculate so that the TDP data specified in the cooler specification is greater than the TDP of the compared processor.

Software benchmarks

If you want to use the processor not only for gaming, but also for streaming, programming, video rendering or video editing, machine learning, then the main parameter for you is its performance in multi-threaded mode. In this mode, to achieve maximum efficiency, the CPU includes all threads and cores that it has. You will find out this data from the benchmark tables below. Before using 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 benefit of multi-core mode are unused.
Cinebench 23, 20 an 15
The results of this benchmark show Single-threaded and Multi-threaded CPU performance

	Intel Core i5-9400	Intel Core i5-10400
Cinbench 15 Single-core	177	190
Cinbench 15 Multi-core	987	1341
Cinbench 20 Single-core	403	450
Cinbench 20 Multi-core	2284	3197
Cinbench 23 Single-core	1051	1110
Cinbench 23 Multi-core	5606	7610

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

	Intel Core i5-9400	Intel Core i5-10400
Single-Core	2474	2626
Multi-Core	9515	12503

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

	Intel Core i5-9400	Intel Core i5-10400
Single-Core	1107	1245
Multi-Core	5420	6654

Comparison of specifications

In the specification comparison table, the processor release date and overclocking capability will be the most helpful. The later the processor is released, the longer it will last in your computer. And the easier it will be to upgrade the system later. The same benefits from the presence of overclocking. When the processor can be overclocked, increasing its performance, then it will still be able to produce maximum FPS even in new games. The savings are obvious! Accordingly, you do not need to buy a new CPU to enjoy the games any longer.

	Intel Core i5-9400	Intel Core i5-10400
Announcement date	January 01, 2019	April 01, 2020
Type	Desktop	Desktop
Socket	FCLGA1151-2	FCLGA1200
Core name	Coffee Lake	Comet Lake
Architecture	x86	x86
Generation	9	10
Turbo Frequency	4.1 MHz	4.3 MHz
Frequency	2.9 MHz	2.9 MHz
Cores	6	6
Threads	6	12
Bus rate	8 GT/s	8 GT/s
Bit	64	64
Lithography	14 nm	14 nm
Transistors count	3600 millions	4800 millions
Power consumption (TDP)	65 W	65 W
Memory type	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2666
Max. Memory	128 Gb	128 Gb
Memory Frequency
Memory bandwidth	41.6 GB/s	41.6 GB/s
L1 cache
L2 cache
L3 cache	9 MB	12 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. 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 i5-9400 is better: 1
The number of parameters for which Intel Core i5-10400 is better: 26
Although it should be realized that all the figures that you have looked at here do not mean that taking them into account you should completely trust a simple comparison of these figures. Better to watch benchmarks video and read the reviews of of people who bought Intel Core i5-9400 and Intel Core i5-10400 before making a selection which of the processors to buy for gaming.

• Intel Core i5-9400 specs and review.

• Intel Core i5-10400 specs and review.