Intel Core i5-9400 vs Intel Core i7-10700

Processor comparisons   17-03-2021
   If you can't decide which CPU to buy, you can make a decision after reading the comprehensive tests Intel Core i5-9400 vs Intel Core i7-10700 and decide which is better for games or simple use for video editing, streaming, machine learning, rendering, programming. Here you can find all information from real streaming and video editing tests or different benchmarks. A thorough review of all the technical characteristics, so that it can be easier to read, is presented in the form of the table.
   From the video comparison, you can get the results of parallel examination in synthetic type tests such as PCMark 10, MATLAB, Blender, DaVinci Resolve Studio, WPrime, AIDA64, Handbrake, 3DMark, VeraCrypt, UserBenchmark, 7zip, RealBench, Cinebench 23 (20, 15), Dolphin Emulator, Furmark, GeekBench 6, 5.2, SuperPi, Gears 5, Prime95, Blender, World of Tanks enCore Benchmark, PassMark.
   Gaming performance of processors in:

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

After looking at the data these benchmarks and videos, you can already make an informed decision about which CPU is better to buy for gaming Intel Core i7-10700 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 i7-10700

55%

This value shows the performance of the processors in single-threaded and multi-threaded mode. In this comparison, Core i7-10700 is 5% better than Core i5-9400. The data source is several popular tests. Detailed information can be found below.

Gaming performance
Summary result of all game benchmarks.

Core i5-9400

53%

Core i7-10700

55%

The maximum result in this parameter is 100 percent, which is the performance of the most powerful processor at the moment. And of course, this is a server processor, on which no one will run games. Because this processor costs several tens of thousands of dollars. And if it seems to you that the selected CPU has a small game result, look at the FPS that it produces in real games in the final table below.
List of other games in which CPU comparisons were performed: Microsoft Flight Simulator, NBA 2K20, Half-Life: Alyx, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Forza Horizon 4, Battlefield V, Horizon Zero Dawn, Ghostrunner, Monster Hunter World, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG), Metro Exodus, Control, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, League of Legends (LOL), Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS GO), Hitman 3, Resident Evil 7 Biohazard, DOTA 2A.

Gaming benchmark

Fortnite	93.5	97.3
Valorant	106.3	110.6
Cyberpunk 2077	59.5	61.9
Apex Legends	99.9	104.0
Call of Duty Warzone	79.7	83.0
Overwatch	86.1	89.6
Red Dead Redemption 2	73.3	76.3
DOOM Eternal	53.1	55.3
Warzone	82.9	86.3
Assassin's Creed	89.3	92.9
Valheim	88.2	91.8

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: FullHD, 2K or 4K. So 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 get acquainted with the benchmarks that are made with the same video card that is installed in your computer.

Power consumption

Core i5-9400

56%

Core i7-10700

67%

To make a finishing resolution 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 i7-10700 is more energy efficient than the Core i5-9400 as it consumes less power: 65W vs. 65W. Power consumption is particularly important for laptops. And TDP should be taken into account when choosing a processor cooling system. It is necessary to count so that the TDP data specified in the cooler specification is greater than the TDP of the compared processor.

Software benchmarks

Let's say you plan to use the processor not only for gaming, but also for streaming, machine learning, video rendering or video editing, programming, then the main parameter for you is its performance in multi-threaded mode. In this mode, to reach maximum efficiency, the CPU turns on 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 find out whether the software that you are going to use on your computer can work in multi-threaded mode. Since there are still many programs that use only one core to work, and all the advantages 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 i7-10700
Cinbench 15 Single-core	177	221
Cinbench 15 Multi-core	987	2356
Cinbench 20 Single-core	403	513
Cinbench 20 Multi-core	2284	4971
Cinbench 23 Single-core	1051	1290
Cinbench 23 Multi-core	5606	12595

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

	Intel Core i5-9400	Intel Core i7-10700
Single-Core	2474	3055
Multi-Core	9515	17916

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

	Intel Core i5-9400	Intel Core i7-10700
Single-Core	1107	1325
Multi-Core	5420	9163

Comparison of specifications

In the specification comparison table, the processor release date and overclocking capability will be the most useful. The later the processor is released, the longer it will last you. And the easier it will be to upgrade the system in the future. The same benefits from the presence of overclocking. If the processor can be overclocked, thereby increasing its performance, then it will continue to maintain maximum FPS even in new games. The savings are obvious! Accordingly, there is no longer a need to buy a new CPU to enjoy the games any longer.

	Intel Core i5-9400	Intel Core i7-10700
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	4.8 MHz
Frequency	2.9 MHz	2.9 MHz
Cores	6	8
Threads	6	16
Bus rate	8 GT/s	8 GT/s
Bit	64	64
Lithography	14 nm	14 nm
Transistors count	3600 millions	6800 millions
Power consumption (TDP)	65 W	65 W
Memory type	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2933
Max. Memory	128 Gb	128 Gb
Memory Frequency
Memory bandwidth	41.6 GB/s	45.8 GB/s
L1 cache
L2 cache
L3 cache	9 MB	16 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. Another difference is that Core i7-10700 has 2 more core than Core i5-9400. 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 i7-10700 is better: 28
However, it should be realized that all the data that you have looked at here do not mean that taking them into account you should completely trust a simple comparison of these numbers. Better to watch the video tests and read the opinion of real owners of Intel Core i5-9400 and Intel Core i7-10700 before deciding which of the processors to buy for gaming.

• Intel Core i5-9400 specs and review.

• Intel Core i7-10700 specs and review.