Core i5-8500 vs Core i5-9400F

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 i5-8500 vs Core i5-9400F 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 i5-8500 vs Core i5-9400F: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8500

2018

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌
5.5% HIGHER MSRP
$192 MSRPvs$182 MSRP

Core i5-9400F

2019

Why buy it

✅Costs $10 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (9,462 vs 9,521).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-8500 better than Core i5-9400F?

Yes. Core i5-8500 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.6% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

For gaming, this matchup is basically a tie in the data we have.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads.

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

Core i5-8500 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-9400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-8500 comes in 5.5% more expensive on MSRP at $192 MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-9400F is also 4.8% better value on MSRP (52.0 vs 49.6 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i5-9400F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-8500 vs Core i5-9400F Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8500

The Core i5-8500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,521 points. Launch price was $202.

Core i5-9400F

The Core i5-9400F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,462 points. Launch price was $182.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-8500 and Core i5-9400F share an identical 6-core/6-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-8500 versus 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-9400F — identical boost frequencies (base: 3 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i5-8500 uses the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-9400F uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8500 scores 9,521 against the Core i5-9400F's 9,462 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-8500. Both processors carry 9 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-8500	Core i5-9400F
Cores / Threads	6 / 6	6 / 6
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz	4.1 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+3%	2.9 GHz
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)	9 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
PassMark	9,521	9,462

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i5-8500	Core i5-9400F
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-8500) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-9400F). Primary use case: Core i5-9400F targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-8500	Core i5-9400F
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-8500 was priced at $192, while the Core i5-9400F came in at $182. On launch pricing ($192 vs $182), Core i5-9400F was $10 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-8500 delivers 49.6 pts/$ vs 52.0 pts/$ for the Core i5-9400F — making the Core i5-9400F the 4.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-8500	Core i5-9400F
MSRP	$192	$182-5%
Performance per Dollar	49.6	52.0+5%
Release Date	2018	2019

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