Core i5-8400H vs Core i7-7820EQ

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 i7-7820EQ 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 i7-7820EQ: 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: +15.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 630, while Core i7-7820EQ needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,456 vs 7,470).

Core i7-7820EQ

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.

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 $378 MSRP, while Core i5-8400H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-8400H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-7820EQ better than Core i5-8400H?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-8400H is ahead with a 15.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-7820EQ pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark. 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 i7-7820EQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-7820EQ is the better buy right now. Core i7-7820EQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at $378 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-8400H is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 15.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (19.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-7820EQ 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 i7-7820EQ

The Core i7-7820EQ 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. Max frequency: 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 7,470 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-8400H and Core i7-7820EQ share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i5-8400H versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i7-7820EQ — a 30.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-8400H. The Core i5-8400H uses the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-7820EQ uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8400H scores 7,456 against the Core i7-7820EQ's 7,470 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-7820EQ. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-8400H vs 8 MB on the Core i7-7820EQ.

Feature	Core i5-8400H	Core i7-7820EQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+35%	3.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	—
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+50%	8 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	7,456	7,470
Cinebench R23 Multi	4,657	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,493	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	4,963	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i5-8400H) / not specified (Core i7-7820EQ). The Core i5-8400H includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-7820EQ requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8400H targets Mobile.