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

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

Core i5-8500T

2018

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 45W, a 10W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-9400H.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-9400H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,730 vs 7,794).
❌
5.5% HIGHER MSRP
$192 MSRPvs$182 MSRP

Core i5-9400H

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +15.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $10 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌28.6% higher power demand at 45W vs 35W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-8500T.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-9400H better than Core i5-8500T?

Yes. Core i5-9400H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 15.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.8% better 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 i5-9400H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 15.4% 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 i5-9400H is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i5-9400H is the better buy right now. Core i5-9400H comes in $10 cheaper on MSRP at $182 MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you a 15.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 6.4% better value on MSRP (42.8 vs 40.3 PassMark/$), 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 i5-9400H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/6. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-8500T vs Core i5-9400H Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8500T

The Core i5-8500T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 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 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 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. Passmark benchmark score: 7,730 points. Launch price was $192.

Core i5-9400H

The Core i5-9400H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 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 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,794 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-8500T packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Core i5-9400H offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-8500T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-8500T versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-9400H — a 20.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-9400H (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-8500T uses the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-9400H uses Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8500T scores 7,730 against the Core i5-9400H's 7,794 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-9400H. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,192 vs 1,341, a 11.8% lead for the Core i5-9400H that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8500T vs 8 MB on the Core i5-9400H.

Feature	Core i5-8500T	Core i5-9400H
Cores / Threads	6 / 6+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	4.3 GHz+23%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	2.5 GHz+19%
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)+13%	8 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)	Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019)
PassMark	7,730	7,794
Geekbench 6 Single	1,192	1,341+13%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8500T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-9400H uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. The Core i5-9400H supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H310,B360,H370,Z370,Z390,B365 (Core i5-8500T) and HM370,QM370 (Core i5-9400H).

Feature	Core i5-8500T	Core i5-9400H
Socket	LGA1151	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-8500T) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-9400H) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8500T targets Low Power Desktop, Core i5-9400H targets High Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-8500T rivals Ryzen 3 2200G; Core i5-9400H rivals Ryzen 5 4600H.

Feature	Core i5-8500T	Core i5-9400H
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Low Power Desktop	High Performance Laptop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-8500T was priced at $192, while the Core i5-9400H came in at $182. On launch pricing ($192 vs $182), Core i5-9400H was $10 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-8500T delivers 40.3 pts/$ vs 42.8 pts/$ for the Core i5-9400H — making the Core i5-9400H the 6.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-8500T	Core i5-9400H
MSRP	$192	$182-5%
Performance per Dollar	40.3	42.8+6%
Release Date	2018	2019

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