Core i3-10300T vs Core i5-9400H

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

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

Core i3-10300T

2020

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $25 less on MSRP ($157 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
✅Delivers 17.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 50.2 vs 42.8 PassMark/$ ($157 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 45W, a 10W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-9400H.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-9400H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Core i5-9400H

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,794 vs 7,879).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 42.8 vs 50.2 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $157 MSRP).
❌28.6% higher power demand at 45W vs 35W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-10300T.

Quick Answers

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

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-9400H is ahead with a 3.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-10300T pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-10300T is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i3-10300T is the better buy right now. Core i3-10300T comes in $25 cheaper on MSRP at $157 MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-9400H is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 17.2% better value on MSRP (50.2 vs 42.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i3-10300T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2019) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-10300T vs Core i5-9400H Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-10300T

The Core i3-10300T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2020 (5 years ago). It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 7,879 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i5-9400H

The Core i5-9400H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,794 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-10300T and Core i5-9400H share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-10300T versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-9400H — a 9.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-9400H (base: 3 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-9400H is built on the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i3-10300T scores 7,879 against the Core i5-9400H's 7,794 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i3-10300T. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,313 vs 1,341, a 2.1% lead for the Core i5-9400H that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i3-10300T vs 8 MB on the Core i5-9400H.

Feature	Core i3-10300T	Core i5-9400H
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4.3 GHz+10%
Base Clock	3 GHz+20%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB Intel® Smart Cache	8 MB
L2 Cache	—	1 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	—	Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019)
PassMark	7,879+1%	7,794
Geekbench 6 Single	1,313	1,341+2%
Geekbench 6 Multi	4,090	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-10300T uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-9400H uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: LGA1200 (Core i3-10300T) and HM370,QM370 (Core i5-9400H).

Feature	Core i3-10300T	Core i5-9400H
Socket	LGA1200	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-10300T) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-9400H). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i3-10300T) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-9400H) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-9400H targets High Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-9400H rivals Ryzen 5 4600H.

Feature	Core i3-10300T	Core i5-9400H
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	High Performance Laptop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-10300T was priced at $157, while the Core i5-9400H came in at $182. On launch pricing ($157 vs $182), Core i3-10300T was $25 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-10300T delivers 50.2 pts/$ vs 42.8 pts/$ for the Core i5-9400H — making the Core i3-10300T the 15.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-10300T	Core i5-9400H
MSRP	$157-14%	$182
Performance per Dollar	50.2+17%	42.8
Release Date	2020	2019

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