Core i5-8400 vs Core i7-1068NG7

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 i7-1068NG7 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 i7-1068NG7: 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

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i7-1068NG7 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-1068NG7 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (9,229 vs 9,240).
❌Launch MSRP is still $182 MSRP, while Core i7-1068NG7 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌132.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 28W.

Core i7-1068NG7

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 28W instead of 65W, a 37W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-8400 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-1068NG7 better than Core i5-8400?

Yes. Core i7-1068NG7 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.1% 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 i7-1068NG7 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.9% 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 i7-1068NG7 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-1068NG7 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-1068NG7 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-8400 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (50.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-1068NG7 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2017) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/6. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-8400 vs Core i7-1068NG7 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 i7-1068NG7

The Core i7-1068NG7 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Ice Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1344. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200, LPDDR4-3733. Passmark benchmark score: 9,240 points. Launch price was $320.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-8400 packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Core i7-1068NG7 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-8400 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i5-8400 versus 4.1 GHz on the Core i7-1068NG7 — a 2.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-1068NG7 (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 i7-1068NG7 uses Ice Lake-U (2019−2020) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8400 scores 9,229 against the Core i7-1068NG7's 9,240 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-1068NG7. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8400 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-1068NG7.

Feature	Core i5-8400	Core i7-1068NG7
Cores / Threads	6 / 6+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4 GHz	4.1 GHz+2%
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+22%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)+13%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	10 nm-29%
Architecture	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)	Ice Lake-U (2019−2020)
PassMark	9,229	9,240

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8400 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-1068NG7 uses FCBGA1344 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-8400	Core i7-1068NG7
Socket	LGA1151	FCBGA1344
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-8400) / not specified (Core i7-1068NG7). The Core i5-8400 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-1068NG7 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8400 targets Desktop.