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 i5-11400T vs Core i7-9700K 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 i5-11400T vs Core i7-9700K: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-11400T

2021

Why buy it

✅Costs $203 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
✅Delivers 91.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 71.6 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 95W, a 60W reduction.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-9700K.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (13,034 vs 14,397).

Core i7-9700K

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +61.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.4 vs 71.6 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
❌171.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 35W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-11400T.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-9700K better than Core i5-11400T?

Yes. Core i7-9700K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 61.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 10.5% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-9700K is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 61.3% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-9700K is the stronger fit. You are getting 10.5% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-9700K is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-11400T is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-9700K comes in 111.5% more expensive on MSRP at $385 MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you a 61.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-11400T is also 91.5% better value on MSRP (71.6 vs 37.4 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Core i5-11400T can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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

Core i5-11400T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2018). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-11400T vs Core i7-9700K Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-11400T

The Core i5-11400T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,034 points. Launch price was $182.

Core i7-9700K

The Core i7-9700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,397 points. Launch price was $374.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-11400T packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-9700K offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-9700K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-11400T versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K — a 27.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 1.3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-11400T uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-9700K uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11400T scores 13,034 against the Core i7-9700K's 14,397 — a 9.9% lead for the Core i7-9700K. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-11400T	Core i7-9700K
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 8+33%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	4.9 GHz+32%
Base Clock	1.3 GHz	3.6 GHz+177%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Rocket Lake (2021)	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
PassMark	13,034	14,397+10%
Cinebench R23 Multi	3,891	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,767	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	6,179	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11400T uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i7-9700K uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-11400T versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K — the Core i5-11400T supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-11400T) vs 16 (Core i7-9700K) — the Core i5-11400T offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H510,B560,Z590,H470,Z490 (Core i5-11400T) and Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K).

Feature	Core i5-11400T	Core i7-9700K
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200+20%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-9700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i5-11400T supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-11400T) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K). Both include integrated graphics — UHD 730 (Core i5-11400T) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-9700K) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11400T targets Productivity, Core i7-9700K targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-11400T rivals Core i5-11400.

Feature	Core i5-11400T	Core i7-9700K
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD 730	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Productivity	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-11400T was priced at $182, while the Core i7-9700K came in at $385. On launch pricing ($182 vs $385), Core i5-11400T was $203 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-11400T delivers 71.6 pts/$ vs 37.4 pts/$ for the Core i7-9700K — making the Core i5-11400T the 62.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-11400T	Core i7-9700K
MSRP	$182-53%	$385
Performance per Dollar	71.6+91%	37.4
Release Date	2021	2018

Search Core i5-11400T on Amazon

Search Core i7-9700K on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.