Core i3-7300T vs Core i5-6400T

CPU

GPU

Core i3-7300T

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2017

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Core i5-6400T

4 Cores4 Thrd1 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2015

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Core i3-7300T vs Core i5-6400T Performance Spectrum

Core i3-7300T

2 / 4

4,145

0.0%

4,243

+2.4%

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.

Core i3-7300T vs Core i5-6400T 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 i3-7300T vs Core i5-6400T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-7300T

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.5% higher average FPS across 13 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $54 less on MSRP ($138 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
✅Delivers 35.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 30.0 vs 22.1 PassMark/$ ($138 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,145 vs 4,243).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌3400% higher power demand at 35W vs 1W.

Core i5-6400T

2015

Why buy it

✅+2.4% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Draws 1W instead of 35W, a 34W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-7300T across 13 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 22.1 vs 30.0 PassMark/$ ($192 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-7300T better than Core i5-6400T?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-7300T is ahead with a 4.5% average FPS lead across 13 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6400T pulls ahead with 2.4% better PassMark. Core i5-6400T also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6400T is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Core i3-7300T is the better buy right now. Core i3-7300T comes in $54 cheaper on MSRP at $138 MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.5% average FPS lead across 13 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-6400T is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 2.4% better PassMark. It is also 35.9% better value on MSRP (30.0 vs 22.1 PassMark/$), 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 i3-7300T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-7300T vs Core i5-6400T Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-7300T

The Core i3-7300T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,145 points. Launch price was $147.

Core i5-6400T

The Core i5-6400T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,243 points. Launch price was $192.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-7300T packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-6400T offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-6400T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i3-7300T versus 2.8 GHz on the Core i5-6400T — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Core i3-7300T (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i3-7300T uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-6400T uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7300T scores 4,145 against the Core i5-6400T's 4,243 — a 2.3% lead for the Core i5-6400T. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,100 vs 950, a 14.6% lead for the Core i3-7300T that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-7300T vs 6 MB on the Core i5-6400T.

Feature	Core i3-7300T	Core i5-6400T
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+25%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+59%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	6 MB+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	4,145	4,243+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	2,200
Geekbench 6 Single	1,100+16%	950
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,600

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-7300T versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6400T — the Core i3-7300T supports 12.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: B250,H270,Z270,Q250,Q270 (Core i3-7300T) and H110,B150,H170,Z170,Z270 (Core i5-6400T).

Feature	Core i3-7300T	Core i5-6400T
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+13%	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-7300T) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-6400T). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 630 (Core i3-7300T) and HD 530 (Core i5-6400T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7300T targets Low Power Desktop, Core i5-6400T targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i3-7300T rivals Ryzen 3 2200GE; Core i5-6400T rivals Core i3-7100.

Feature	Core i3-7300T	Core i5-6400T
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 630	HD 530
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Low Power Desktop	Budget

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-7300T was priced at $138, while the Core i5-6400T came in at $192. On launch pricing ($138 vs $192), Core i3-7300T was $54 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-7300T delivers 30.0 pts/$ vs 22.1 pts/$ for the Core i5-6400T — making the Core i3-7300T the 30.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-7300T	Core i5-6400T
MSRP	$138-28%	$192
Performance per Dollar	30.0+36%	22.1
Release Date	2017	2015

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