Core i5-8400H vs Core i7-7700T

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 i7-7700T 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 i7-7700T: 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: +8.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (4,657 vs 5,605).
❌28.6% higher power demand at 45W vs 35W.

Core i7-7700T

2017

Why buy it

✅+20.4% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅Draws 35W instead of 45W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-8400H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $303 MSRP, while Core i5-8400H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-7700T better than Core i5-8400H?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-8400H is ahead with a 8.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-7700T pulls ahead with 20.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core i5-8400H also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-7700T is the stronger fit. You are getting 20.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-7700T is the better buy right now. Core i7-7700T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $303 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 20.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. The compromise is that Core i5-8400H is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 8.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (24.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-8400H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2017) and 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-8400H vs Core i7-7700T 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 i7-7700T

The Core i7-7700T 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 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,517 points. Launch price was $303.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-8400H and Core i7-7700T share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i5-8400H versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-7700T — a 10% clock advantage for the Core i5-8400H (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i5-8400H uses the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-7700T uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8400H scores 7,456 against the Core i7-7700T's 7,517 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i7-7700T. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 4,657 vs 5,605 (18.5% advantage for the Core i7-7700T). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,493 vs 1,066, a 33.4% lead for the Core i5-8400H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 4,963 vs 3,643 (30.7% advantage for the Core i5-8400H). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-8400H vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-7700T.

Feature	Core i5-8400H	Core i7-7700T
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+11%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.9 GHz+16%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+50%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	7,456	7,517
Cinebench R23 Multi	4,657	5,605+20%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,493+40%	1,066
Geekbench 6 Multi	4,963+36%	3,643

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8400H uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-7700T uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4 2666 MHz on the Core i5-8400H versus DDR4-2400 on the Core i7-7700T — the Core i5-8400H supports 11.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel HM370,Intel QM370 (Core i5-8400H) and B150,Q170,B250,Q250,H110,H170,Z170,H270,Z270 (Core i7-7700T).

Feature	Core i5-8400H	Core i7-7700T
Socket	BGA1440	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4 2666 MHz+11%	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 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 i7-7700T). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-8400H) and Intel HD Graphics 630 (Core i7-7700T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8400H targets Mobile.