Core i5-8400T 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 i5-8400T 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 i5-8400T 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 i5-8400T

2018

Why buy it

✅+12.7% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅Draws 35W instead of 47W, a 12W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-4950HQ.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4950HQ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $182 MSRP, while Core i7-4950HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i7-4950HQ

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (3,317 vs 3,737).
❌34.3% higher power demand at 47W vs 35W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-8400T.

Quick Answers

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

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-4950HQ is ahead with a 6.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8400T pulls ahead with 12.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8400T is the stronger fit. You are getting 12.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads.

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

Core i5-8400T is the better buy right now. Core i5-8400T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $182 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 12.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. The compromise is that Core i7-4950HQ is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 6.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (40.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-8400T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 6 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-8400T vs Core i7-4950HQ Technical Specifications

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

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.

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

The Core i5-8400T packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Core i7-4950HQ offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-8400T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-8400T versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-4950HQ — a 8.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-4950HQ (base: 1.7 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-8400T uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-4950HQ uses Crystalwell (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8400T scores 7,426 against the Core i7-4950HQ's 7,405 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-8400T. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 3,737 vs 3,317 (11.9% advantage for the Core i5-8400T). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,092 vs 842, a 25.9% lead for the Core i5-8400T that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 3,816 vs 3,317 (14% advantage for the Core i5-8400T). L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8400T vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4950HQ.

Feature	Core i5-8400T	Core i7-4950HQ
Cores / Threads	6 / 6+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	3.6 GHz+9%
Base Clock	1.7 GHz	2.4 GHz+41%
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)+13%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Crystalwell (2013−2014)
PassMark	7,426	7,405
Cinebench R23 Multi	3,737+13%	3,317
Geekbench 6 Single	1,092+30%	842
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,816+15%	3,317

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8400T uses the LGA1151 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 on the Core i5-8400T versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i7-4950HQ — the Core i5-8400T supports 66.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-8400T supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H310,B360,H370,Q370,Z370,Z390 (Core i5-8400T) and HM87,QM87 (Core i7-4950HQ).

Feature	Core i5-8400T	Core i7-4950HQ
Socket	LGA1151	BGA1364
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666+67%	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+300%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Both support Yes virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-8400T) and Iris Pro Graphics 5200 (Core i7-4950HQ) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU.