Core i5-8400 vs Core i5-8600T

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 i5-8400 vs Core i5-8600T 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 i5-8400 vs Core i5-8600T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8400

2017

Why buy it

✅Costs $31 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $213 MSRP).
✅Delivers 17.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 50.7 vs 43.2 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $213 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-8600T.

Core i5-8600T

2018

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-8400.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (9,201 vs 9,229).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 43.2 vs 50.7 PassMark/$ ($213 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-8400 better than Core i5-8600T?

Yes. Core i5-8400 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 and 0.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-8400 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 i5-8400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads.

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

Core i5-8400 is the better buy right now. Core i5-8400 comes in $31 cheaper on MSRP at $182 MSRP versus $213 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 17.4% better value on MSRP (50.7 vs 43.2 PassMark/$), 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 i5-8600T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2017). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-8400 vs Core i5-8600T Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8400

The Core i5-8400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 October 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 9 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: 9,229 points. Launch price was $182.

Core i5-8600T

The Core i5-8600T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,201 points. Launch price was $213.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-8400 and Core i5-8600T share an identical 6-core/6-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i5-8400 versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-8600T — a 7.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-8400 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-8400 uses the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-8600T uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8400 scores 9,229 against the Core i5-8600T's 9,201 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-8400. Both processors carry 9 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-8400	Core i5-8600T
Cores / Threads	6 / 6	6 / 6
Boost Clock	4 GHz+8%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+22%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)	9 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
PassMark	9,229	9,201
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	4,633
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,224
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	4,470

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 series (Core i5-8400) and H310,B360,H370,Q370,Z370,Z390 (Core i5-8600T).

Feature	Core i5-8400	Core i5-8600T
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-8400) vs Yes (Core i5-8600T). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-8400) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-8600T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8400 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-8400	Core i5-8600T
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	Yes
Target Use	Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-8400 was priced at $182, while the Core i5-8600T came in at $213. On launch pricing ($182 vs $213), Core i5-8400 was $31 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-8400 delivers 50.7 pts/$ vs 43.2 pts/$ for the Core i5-8600T — making the Core i5-8400 the 16% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-8400	Core i5-8600T
MSRP	$182-15%	$213
Performance per Dollar	50.7+17%	43.2
Release Date	2017	2018

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