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 i5-10400T vs Core i7-7700K 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 i5-10400T vs Core i7-7700K: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-10400T

2020

Why buy it

✅+1.7% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Costs $123 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $305 MSRP).
✅Delivers 70.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 53.8 vs 31.6 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $305 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 100W, a 65W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-7700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Core i7-7700K

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +21.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (9,625 vs 9,789).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 31.6 vs 53.8 PassMark/$ ($305 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
❌185.7% higher power demand at 100W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-10400T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400T better than Core i7-7700K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-7700K is ahead with a 21.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-10400T pulls ahead with 1.7% better PassMark. Core i5-10400T also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-10400T is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.7% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Core i5-10400T is the better buy right now. Core i5-10400T comes in $123 cheaper on MSRP at $182 MSRP versus $305 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-7700K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 21.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 70.4% better value on MSRP (53.8 vs 31.6 PassMark/$), 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 i5-10400T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2017), 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-10400T vs Core i7-7700K Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-10400T

The Core i5-10400T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2020 (5 years ago). It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 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: 9,789 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i7-7700K

The Core i7-7700K 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 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 91 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,625 points. Launch price was $339.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400T packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-7700K offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-10400T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-10400T versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-7700K — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-7700K (base: 2 GHz vs 4.2 GHz). The Core i7-7700K is built on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-10400T scores 9,789 against the Core i7-7700K's 9,625 — a 1.7% lead for the Core i5-10400T. L3 cache: 12 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i5-10400T vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-7700K.

Feature	Core i5-10400T	Core i7-7700K
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	4.5 GHz+25%
Base Clock	2 GHz	4.2 GHz+110%
L3 Cache	12 MB Intel® Smart Cache+50%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	—	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	—	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	9,789+2%	9,625
Geekbench 6 Single	1,272	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400T uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-7700K uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-10400T	Core i7-7700K
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: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-10400T) / not specified (Core i7-7700K). The Core i5-10400T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-7700K requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400T targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400T rivals Ryzen 5 3400GE.

Feature	Core i5-10400T	Core i7-7700K
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Low Power Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400T was priced at $182, while the Core i7-7700K came in at $305. On launch pricing ($182 vs $305), Core i5-10400T was $123 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400T delivers 53.8 pts/$ vs 31.6 pts/$ for the Core i7-7700K — making the Core i5-10400T the 52.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-10400T	Core i7-7700K
MSRP	$182-40%	$305
Performance per Dollar	53.8+70%	31.6
Release Date	2020	2017

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