Core i5-14400 vs Core i9-7940X

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 i5-14400 vs Core i9-7940X 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 i5-14400 vs Core i9-7940X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-14400

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $1,178 less on MSRP ($221 MSRP vs $1,399 MSRP).
✅Delivers 530.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 114.6 vs 18.2 PassMark/$ ($221 MSRP vs $1,399 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 165W, a 100W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2066 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (25,329 vs 25,452).

Core i9-7940X

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-14400 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 18.2 vs 114.6 PassMark/$ ($1,399 MSRP vs $221 MSRP).
❌153.8% higher power demand at 165W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2066 with DDR4, while Core i5-14400 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-14400 better than Core i9-7940X?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-14400 is ahead with a 10.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-7940X pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-7940X is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 28 threads.

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

Core i5-14400 is the better buy right now. Core i5-14400 comes in $1,178 cheaper on MSRP at $221 MSRP versus $1,399 MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i9-7940X is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.5% better PassMark. It is also 530.0% better value on MSRP (114.6 vs 18.2 PassMark/$), 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 i5-14400 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2017) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA2066. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-14400 vs Core i9-7940X Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-14400

The Core i5-14400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture. It features 10 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 25,329 points. Launch price was $221.

Core i9-7940X

The Core i9-7940X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 25,452 points. Launch price was $1,399.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-14400 packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i9-7940X offers 14 cores / 28 threads — the Core i9-7940X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i5-14400 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i9-7940X — a 6.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-14400 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i5-14400 uses the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-7940X uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-14400 scores 25,329 against the Core i9-7940X's 25,452 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i9-7940X. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-14400 vs 19.25 MB (total) on the Core i9-7940X.

Feature	Core i5-14400	Core i9-7940X
Cores / Threads	10 / 16	14 / 28+40%
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz+7%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.1 GHz+24%
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)+4%	19.25 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+25%	1 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	25,329	25,452

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-14400 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-7940X uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-14400	Core i9-7940X
Socket	LGA1700	LGA2066
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-14400 was priced at $221, while the Core i9-7940X came in at $1399. On launch pricing ($221 vs $1399), Core i5-14400 was $1178 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-14400 delivers 114.6 pts/$ vs 18.2 pts/$ for the Core i9-7940X — making the Core i5-14400 the 145.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-14400	Core i9-7940X
MSRP	$221-84%	$1399
Performance per Dollar	114.6+530%	18.2
Release Date	2024	2017

Search Core i5-14400 on Amazon

Search Core i9-7940X 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.