Atom x7809C vs Core i5-9400
Atom x7809C
Core i5-9400
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. The Atom x7809C is positioned at rank #61 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Balanced cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Atom x7809C
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-9400
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Atom x7809C | Core i5-9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($85) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Amston Lake (2024−2025) / 10 nm) | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake (2017−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Atom x7809C | Core i5-9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($85) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Atom x7809C and Core i5-9400
Atom x7809C
The Atom x7809C is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 April 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Amston Lake (2024−2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per module). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 9,409 points. Launch price was $117.
Core i5-9400
The Core i5-9400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,372 points. Launch price was $182.
Processing Power
The Atom x7809C packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-9400 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the Atom x7809C has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Atom x7809C versus 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-9400 — a 13% clock advantage for the Core i5-9400 (base: 2 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Atom x7809C uses the Amston Lake (2024−2025) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i5-9400 uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x7809C scores 9,409 against the Core i5-9400's 9,372 — a 0.4% lead for the Atom x7809C. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Atom x7809C vs 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-9400.
| Feature | Atom x7809C | Core i5-9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 8+33% | 6 / 6 |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz | 4.1 GHz+14% |
| Base Clock | 2 GHz | 2.9 GHz+45% |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 9 MB (total)+50% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per module)+700% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 10 nm-29% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Amston Lake (2024−2025) | Coffee Lake (2017−2019) |
| PassMark | 9,409 | 9,372 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,102 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 4,657 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Atom x7809C uses the FCBGA1264 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i5-9400 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Atom x7809C versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-9400 — the Atom x7809C supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-9400 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Atom x7809C) vs 2 (Core i5-9400). PCIe lanes: 9 (Atom x7809C) vs 16 (Core i5-9400) — the Core i5-9400 offers 7 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Atom x7809C | Core i5-9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1264 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0+33% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800+25% | DDR4-2666 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 128 GB+300% |
| RAM Channels | 1 | 2+100% |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 9 | 16+78% |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i5-9400 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Atom x7809C requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-9400 targets Desktop.
| Feature | Atom x7809C | Core i5-9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | UHD Graphics 630 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Desktop |
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