Core i5-1145G7 vs Core i5-9400

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 i5-1145G7 vs Core i5-9400 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 i5-1145G7 vs Core i5-9400: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-1145G7

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 28W instead of 65W, a 37W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (9,266 vs 9,372).

Core i5-9400

2019

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-1145G7 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $192 MSRP, while Core i5-1145G7 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌132.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 28W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-1145G7 better than Core i5-9400?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-1145G7 is ahead with a 9.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-9400 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 i5-9400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads.

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

Core i5-1145G7 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-9400 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-1145G7 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-9400 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.1% better PassMark. Core i5-9400 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (48.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i5-1145G7 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2019). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-1145G7 vs Core i5-9400 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-1145G7

The Core i5-1145G7 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1449. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,266 points. Launch price was $309.

Core i5-9400

The Core i5-9400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,372 points. Launch price was $182.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-1145G7 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-9400 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the Core i5-9400 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-1145G7 versus 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-9400 — a 7.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-1145G7 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i5-1145G7 uses the Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Core i5-9400 uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-1145G7 scores 9,266 against the Core i5-9400's 9,372 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-9400. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i5-1145G7 vs 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-9400.

Feature	Core i5-1145G7	Core i5-9400
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 6+50%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+7%	4.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	2.9 GHz+12%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	9 MB (total)+13%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	10 nm SuperFin-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021)	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
PassMark	9,266	9,372+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	5,195	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,653	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	4,764	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-1145G7 uses the FCBGA1449 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i5-9400 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-1145G7 versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-9400 — the Core i5-1145G7 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-9400 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i5-1145G7	Core i5-9400
Socket	FCBGA1449	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200+20%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i5-1145G7 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-1145G7) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-9400). Both include integrated graphics — Iris Xe Graphics (80 EU) (Core i5-1145G7) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-9400) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1145G7 targets Business, Core i5-9400 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-1145G7 rivals Core i5-1135G7.

Feature	Core i5-1145G7	Core i5-9400
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Iris Xe Graphics (80 EU)	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Business	Desktop