Core i5-8400H vs Core i5-8400T

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

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

Core i5-8400H

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +24.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 9 MB).

Trade-offs

❌28.6% higher power demand at 45W vs 35W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-8400T.

Core i5-8400T

2018

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 45W, a 10W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-8400H.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-8400H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (3,737 vs 4,657).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (9 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $182 MSRP, while Core i5-8400H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

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

Yes. Core i5-8400H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 24.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 24.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 0.4% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-8400H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 24.8% 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 i5-8400H is the stronger fit. You are getting 24.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 9 MB).

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

Core i5-8400H is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-8400H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you a 24.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-8400T only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2018 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (40.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-8400T is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

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

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

Core i5-8400H

The Core i5-8400H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 12 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: 7,456 points. Launch price was $250.

Core i5-8400T

The Core i5-8400T 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 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 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: 7,426 points. Launch price was $182.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-8400H packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-8400T offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the Core i5-8400T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i5-8400H versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-8400T — a 24% clock advantage for the Core i5-8400H (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Core i5-8400H uses the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-8400T uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8400H scores 7,456 against the Core i5-8400T's 7,426 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-8400H. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 4,657 vs 3,737 (21.9% advantage for the Core i5-8400H). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,493 vs 1,092, a 31% lead for the Core i5-8400H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 4,963 vs 3,816 (26.1% advantage for the Core i5-8400H). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-8400H vs 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8400T.

Feature	Core i5-8400H	Core i5-8400T
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 6+50%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+27%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+47%	1.7 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+33%	9 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019)	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
PassMark	7,456	7,426
Cinebench R23 Multi	4,657+25%	3,737
Geekbench 6 Single	1,493+37%	1,092
Geekbench 6 Multi	4,963+30%	3,816

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8400H uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-8400T uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4 2666 MHz memory speed. The Core i5-8400T supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel HM370,Intel QM370 (Core i5-8400H) and H310,B360,H370,Q370,Z370,Z390 (Core i5-8400T).

Feature	Core i5-8400H	Core i5-8400T
Socket	BGA1440	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4 2666 MHz	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: true (Core i5-8400H) vs Yes (Core i5-8400T). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-8400H) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-8400T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8400H targets Mobile.