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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i5-7400

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.1% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $84 less on MSRP ($294 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).
✅Delivers 30.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 18.6 vs 14.3 PassMark/$ ($294 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core i7-4700EQ.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌38.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 47W.

Core i7-4700EQ

2013

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 47W instead of 65W, a 18W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-7400 across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,417 vs 5,477).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.3 vs 18.6 PassMark/$ ($378 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-7400.

Core i5-7400

2017

Core i7-4700EQ

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.1% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $84 less on MSRP ($294 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).
✅Delivers 30.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 18.6 vs 14.3 PassMark/$ ($294 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core i7-4700EQ.

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 47W instead of 65W, a 18W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌38.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 47W.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-7400 across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,417 vs 5,477).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.3 vs 18.6 PassMark/$ ($378 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-7400.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-7400 better than Core i7-4700EQ?

Yes. Core i5-7400 is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 5.1% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-7400 is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 5.1% more average FPS across 4 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7400 is the better fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-7400 is the smarter buy today. Core i5-7400 is $84 cheaper on MSRP at $294 MSRP versus $378 MSRP, and it gives you a 5.1% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 30.0% better value on MSRP (18.6 vs 14.3 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

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

Core i5-7400 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom should age better as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i5-7400 Benchmark Check

Core i7-4700EQ Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-7400	Core i7-4700EQ
1080p
low	137 FPS	135 FPS
medium	137 FPS	135 FPS
high	112 FPS	105 FPS
ultra	88 FPS	85 FPS
1440p
low	137 FPS	135 FPS
medium	114 FPS	116 FPS
high	89 FPS	89 FPS
ultra	70 FPS	72 FPS
4K
low	70 FPS	66 FPS
medium	59 FPS	60 FPS
high	46 FPS	46 FPS
ultra	36 FPS	36 FPS

Open Core i5-7400 Open Core i7-4700EQ

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-7400	Core i7-4700EQ
1080p
low	137 FPS	135 FPS
medium	137 FPS	135 FPS
high	137 FPS	132 FPS
ultra	116 FPS	100 FPS
1440p
low	137 FPS	135 FPS
medium	137 FPS	122 FPS
high	129 FPS	113 FPS
ultra	103 FPS	90 FPS
4K
low	134 FPS	108 FPS
medium	114 FPS	98 FPS
high	89 FPS	78 FPS
ultra	66 FPS	57 FPS

Open Core i5-7400 Open Core i7-4700EQ

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-7400	Core i7-4700EQ
1080p
low	137 FPS	135 FPS
medium	137 FPS	135 FPS
high	137 FPS	135 FPS
ultra	137 FPS	135 FPS
1440p
low	137 FPS	135 FPS
medium	137 FPS	135 FPS
high	137 FPS	135 FPS
ultra	137 FPS	135 FPS
4K
low	137 FPS	135 FPS
medium	137 FPS	135 FPS
high	137 FPS	135 FPS
ultra	137 FPS	135 FPS

Open Core i5-7400 Open Core i7-4700EQ

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-7400	Core i7-4700EQ
1080p
low	137 FPS	135 FPS
medium	137 FPS	135 FPS
high	137 FPS	135 FPS
ultra	137 FPS	135 FPS
1440p
low	137 FPS	135 FPS
medium	137 FPS	135 FPS
high	137 FPS	135 FPS
ultra	137 FPS	135 FPS
4K
low	137 FPS	135 FPS
medium	137 FPS	135 FPS
high	137 FPS	135 FPS
ultra	137 FPS	135 FPS

Open Core i5-7400 Open Core i7-4700EQ

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-7400 and Core i7-4700EQ

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 i7-4700EQ

The Core i7-4700EQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 May 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,417 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-7400 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-4700EQ's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-7400 versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-4700EQ — a 2.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-7400 (base: 3 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-7400 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-4700EQ uses Crystalwell (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7400 scores 5,477 against the Core i7-4700EQ's 5,417 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-7400. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-7400 vs 8192 kB (total) on the Core i7-4700EQ.

Feature	Core i5-7400	Core i7-4700EQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+3%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+25%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8192 kB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Crystalwell (2013−2014)
PassMark	5,477+1%	5,417
Cinebench R23 Multi	3,359	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,215	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,517	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-7400 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4700EQ uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i5-7400 versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i7-4700EQ — the Core i5-7400 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-7400 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i5-7400	Core i7-4700EQ
Socket	LGA1151	BGA1364
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+33%	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7400) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-4700EQ). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 630 (Core i5-7400) and HD Graphics 4600 (Core i7-4700EQ) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7400 targets Gaming, Core i7-4700EQ targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i5-7400 rivals Ryzen 3 3300X.

Feature	Core i5-7400	Core i7-4700EQ
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 630	HD Graphics 4600
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming	Mobile

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-7400 launched at $294 MSRP, while the Core i7-4700EQ debuted at $378. On MSRP ($294 vs $378), the Core i5-7400 is $84 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-7400 delivers 18.6 pts/$ vs 14.3 pts/$ for the Core i7-4700EQ — making the Core i5-7400 the 26.1% better value option.