Core i5-3470 vs Core i5-7400T

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 i5-3470 vs Core i5-7400T 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 i5-3470 vs Core i5-7400T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-3470

2012

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,663 vs 4,692).
❌
1.1% HIGHER MSRP
$184 MSRPvs$182 MSRP
❌120% higher power demand at 77W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-7400T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-7400T.

Core i5-7400T

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $2 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $184 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 77W, a 42W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 630, while Core i5-3470 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-7400T better than Core i5-3470?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-3470 is ahead with a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7400T pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7400T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-7400T is the better buy right now. Core i5-7400T comes in $2 cheaper on MSRP at $182 MSRP versus $184 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-3470 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1.7% better value on MSRP (25.8 vs 25.3 PassMark/$), 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 i5-7400T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-3470 vs Core i5-7400T Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-3470

The Core i5-3470 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 77 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,663 points. Launch price was $184.

Core i5-7400T

The Core i5-7400T 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 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,692 points. Launch price was $187.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-3470 and Core i5-7400T share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-3470 versus 3 GHz on the Core i5-7400T — a 18.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-3470 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-3470 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-7400T uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3470 scores 4,663 against the Core i5-7400T's 4,692 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-7400T. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-3470	Core i5-7400T
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+20%	3 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+33%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	4,663	4,692
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	3,334
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,069
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,463

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3470 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-7400T uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3470	Core i5-7400T
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-3470) / Yes (Core i5-7400T). The Core i5-7400T includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 630), while the Core i5-3470 requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i5-3470	Core i5-7400T
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics 630
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	Yes

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-3470 was priced at $184, while the Core i5-7400T came in at $182. On launch pricing ($184 vs $182), Core i5-7400T was $2 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3470 delivers 25.3 pts/$ vs 25.8 pts/$ for the Core i5-7400T — making the Core i5-7400T the 1.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-3470	Core i5-7400T
MSRP	$184	$182-1%
Performance per Dollar	25.3	25.8+2%
Release Date	2012	2017

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