Core i5-7400 vs Core i5-7440HQ

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 i5-7400 vs Core i5-7440HQ 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 i5-7400 vs Core i5-7440HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-7400

2017

Why buy it

✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core i5-7440HQ.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,215 vs 1,277).
❌Lower PassMark (5,477 vs 5,490).
❌Launch MSRP is still $294 MSRP, while Core i5-7440HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Core i5-7440HQ

2017

Why buy it

✅+5.1% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-7400.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-7440HQ better than Core i5-7400?

Yes. Core i5-7440HQ is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.2% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-7440HQ is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.6% 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 i5-7440HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-7440HQ is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-7440HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $294 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-7400 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (18.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-7440HQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 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 i5-7400 vs Core i5-7440HQ Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i5-7440HQ

The Core i5-7440HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-H (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,490 points. Launch price was $250.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-7400 and Core i5-7440HQ share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-7400 versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-7440HQ — a 8.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-7440HQ (base: 3 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i5-7400 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-7440HQ uses Kaby Lake-H (2017) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7400 scores 5,477 against the Core i5-7440HQ's 5,490 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-7440HQ. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,215 vs 1,277, a 5% lead for the Core i5-7440HQ that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-7400	Core i5-7440HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.8 GHz+9%
Base Clock	3 GHz+7%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Kaby Lake-H (2017)
PassMark	5,477	5,490
Cinebench R23 Multi	3,359	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,215	1,277+5%
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,517	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-7400 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-7440HQ uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2400 memory speed. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: 100-series,200-series (Core i5-7400) and HM175,QM175 (Core i5-7440HQ).

Feature	Core i5-7400	Core i5-7440HQ
Socket	LGA1151	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	DDR4-2400
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 — HD Graphics 630 (Core i5-7400) and HD Graphics 630 (Core i5-7440HQ) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7400 targets Gaming, Core i5-7440HQ targets High Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-7400 rivals Ryzen 3 3300X; Core i5-7440HQ rivals Ryzen 5 2500U.

Feature	Core i5-7400	Core i5-7440HQ
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 630	HD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Gaming	High Performance Laptop