Core i3-9320 vs Core i5-8400T

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 i3-9320 vs Core i5-8400T 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 i3-9320 vs Core i5-8400T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-9320

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $28 less on MSRP ($154 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
✅Delivers 17.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 47.8 vs 40.8 PassMark/$ ($154 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,358 vs 7,426).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 9 MB).
❌77.1% higher power demand at 62W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-8400T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-8400T.

Core i5-8400T

2018

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (9 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 62W, a 27W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i3-9320 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-9320 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 40.8 vs 47.8 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $154 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-9320 better than Core i5-8400T?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-9320 is ahead with a 9.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8400T pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark. Core i5-8400T also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (9 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8400T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (9 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Core i3-9320 is the better buy right now. Core i3-9320 comes in $28 cheaper on MSRP at $154 MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-8400T is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.9% better PassMark. It is also 17.1% better value on MSRP (47.8 vs 40.8 PassMark/$), 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 i3-9320 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-9320 vs Core i5-8400T Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-9320

The Core i3-9320 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 62 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 7,358 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i5-8400T

The Core i5-8400T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 7,426 points. Launch price was $182.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-9320 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-8400T offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the Core i5-8400T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-9320 versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-8400T — a 28.6% clock advantage for the Core i3-9320 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). Both are built on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i3-9320 scores 7,358 against the Core i5-8400T's 7,426 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-8400T. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-9320 vs 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8400T.

Feature	Core i3-9320	Core i5-8400T
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 6+50%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+33%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+118%	1.7 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	9 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
PassMark	7,358	7,426
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	3,737
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,092
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	3,816

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i3-9320	Core i5-8400T
Socket	LGA1151	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 i3-9320) / Yes (Core i5-8400T). The Core i5-8400T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i3-9320 requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i3-9320	Core i5-8400T
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD Graphics 630
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	Yes

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-9320 was priced at $154, while the Core i5-8400T came in at $182. On launch pricing ($154 vs $182), Core i3-9320 was $28 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-9320 delivers 47.8 pts/$ vs 40.8 pts/$ for the Core i5-8400T — making the Core i3-9320 the 15.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-9320	Core i5-8400T
MSRP	$154-15%	$182
Performance per Dollar	47.8+17%	40.8
Release Date	2019	2018

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