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 i5-6400 vs Core i5-7400 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 i5-6400 vs Core i5-7400: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-6400

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $112 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
✅Delivers 59.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 29.8 vs 18.6 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (3,200 vs 3,517).

Core i5-7400

2017

Why buy it

✅+9.9% higher Geekbench multi-core.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-6400 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 18.6 vs 29.8 PassMark/$ ($294 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-7400 better than Core i5-6400?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-6400 is ahead with a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7400 pulls ahead with 9.9% better Geekbench multi-core.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 9.9% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-7400 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-7400 comes in 61.5% more expensive on MSRP at $294 MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you 9.9% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i5-6400 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 59.8% better value on paper (29.8 vs 18.6 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

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

Core i5-7400 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2015) 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 i5-6400 vs Core i5-7400 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-6400

The Core i5-6400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 July 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,417 points. Launch price was $187.

Core i5-7400

The Core i5-7400 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 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,477 points. Launch price was $182.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-6400 and Core i5-7400 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-6400 versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-7400 — a 5.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-7400 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-6400 uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-7400 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6400 scores 5,417 against the Core i5-7400's 5,477 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-7400. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 950 vs 1,215, a 24.5% lead for the Core i5-7400 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 3,200 vs 3,517 (9.4% advantage for the Core i5-7400). Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-6400	Core i5-7400
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	3.5 GHz+6%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	3 GHz+11%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	5,417	5,477+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	3,359
Geekbench 6 Single	950	1,215+28%
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,200	3,517+10%

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6400 versus DDR4-2400 on the Core i5-7400 — the Core i5-7400 supports 12.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H110,B150,H170,Z170 (Core i5-6400) and 100-series,200-series (Core i5-7400).

Feature	Core i5-6400	Core i5-7400
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	DDR4-2400+13%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 530 (Core i5-6400) and HD Graphics 630 (Core i5-7400) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6400 targets Mainstream Desktop, Core i5-7400 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-7400 rivals Ryzen 3 3300X.

Feature	Core i5-6400	Core i5-7400
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 530	HD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Mainstream Desktop	Gaming

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-6400 was priced at $182, while the Core i5-7400 came in at $294. On launch pricing ($182 vs $294), Core i5-6400 was $112 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-6400 delivers 29.8 pts/$ vs 18.6 pts/$ for the Core i5-7400 — making the Core i5-6400 the 46% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-6400	Core i5-7400
MSRP	$182-38%	$294
Performance per Dollar	29.8+60%	18.6
Release Date	2015	2017

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