Core i3-10300 vs Core i5-9400

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.

Core i3-10300 vs Core i5-9400 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-10300 vs Core i5-9400: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-10300

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +18.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 62W instead of 65W, a 3W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (9,290 vs 9,372).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-9400 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-9400

2019

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i3-10300 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-10300 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $192 MSRP, while Core i3-10300 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-10300 better than Core i5-9400?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-10300 is ahead with a 18.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-9400 pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-9400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-10300 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-9400 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i3-10300 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you a 18.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-9400 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.9% better PassMark. Core i5-9400 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (48.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-10300 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2019). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-10300 vs Core i5-9400 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-10300

The Core i3-10300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,290 points. Launch price was $149.

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.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-10300 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-9400 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the Core i5-9400 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-10300 versus 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-9400 — a 7.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-10300 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i3-10300 uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-9400 uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-10300 scores 9,290 against the Core i5-9400's 9,372 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-9400. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i3-10300 vs 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-9400.

Feature	Core i3-10300	Core i5-9400
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 6+50%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+7%	4.1 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+28%	2.9 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	9 MB (total)+13%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
PassMark	9,290	9,372

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-10300 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-9400 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-10300	Core i5-9400
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-10300) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-9400). The Core i5-9400 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i3-10300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-9400 targets Desktop.