Core i5-8400H vs Core i7-4950HQ

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 i7-4950HQ 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 i7-4950HQ: 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: +16.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 47W, a 2W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i7-4950HQ

2013

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-8400H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (3,317 vs 4,657).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-8400H better than Core i7-4950HQ?

Yes. Core i5-8400H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 16.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 40.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 0.7% higher 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 i5-8400H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 16.7% 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 40.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Core i5-8400H still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-8400H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 16.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i5-8400H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2013), 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-8400H vs Core i7-4950HQ 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 i7-4950HQ

The Core i7-4950HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 June 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 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,405 points. Launch price was $657.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-8400H and Core i7-4950HQ share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i5-8400H versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-4950HQ — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-8400H (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-8400H uses the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-4950HQ uses Crystalwell (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8400H scores 7,456 against the Core i7-4950HQ's 7,405 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i5-8400H. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 4,657 vs 3,317 (33.6% advantage for the Core i5-8400H). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,493 vs 842, a 55.8% lead for the Core i5-8400H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 4,963 vs 3,317 (39.8% advantage for the Core i5-8400H). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-8400H vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4950HQ.

Feature	Core i5-8400H	Core i7-4950HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+17%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+4%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+50%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019)	Crystalwell (2013−2014)
PassMark	7,456	7,405
Cinebench R23 Multi	4,657+40%	3,317
Geekbench 6 Single	1,493+77%	842
Geekbench 6 Multi	4,963+50%	3,317

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8400H uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4950HQ uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4 2666 MHz on the Core i5-8400H versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i7-4950HQ — the Core i5-8400H supports 66.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-8400H supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 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 HM87,QM87 (Core i7-4950HQ).

Feature	Core i5-8400H	Core i7-4950HQ
Socket	BGA1440	BGA1364
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4 2666 MHz+67%	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
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 i7-4950HQ). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-8400H) and Iris Pro Graphics 5200 (Core i7-4950HQ) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8400H targets Mobile.