Core i5-9400 vs Core i3-10300
Core i5-9400
Core i3-10300
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-9400
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-10300
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-9400 | Core i3-10300 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($85) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($140.49) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake (2017−2019) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Comet Lake (2020−2025) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-9400 | Core i3-10300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+67%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($85) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($140.49) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-9400 and Core i3-10300
Core i5-9400
The Core i5-9400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) 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: 9,372 points. Launch price was $182.
Core i3-10300
The Core i3-10300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,290 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i5-9400 packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Core i3-10300 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-9400 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-9400 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-10300 — a 7.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-10300 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i5-9400 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-10300 uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-9400 scores 9,372 against the Core i3-10300's 9,290 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-9400. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-9400 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i3-10300.
| Feature | Core i5-9400 | Core i3-10300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 6+50% | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 4.1 GHz | 4.4 GHz+7% |
| Base Clock | 2.9 GHz | 3.7 GHz+28% |
| L3 Cache | 9 MB (total)+13% | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Coffee Lake (2017−2019) | Comet Lake (2020−2025) |
| PassMark | 9,372 | 9,290 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-9400 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-10300 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-9400 | Core i3-10300 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA1200 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-9400) / not specified (Core i3-10300). The Core i5-9400 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i3-10300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-9400 targets Desktop.
| Feature | Core i5-9400 | Core i3-10300 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 630 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
At current prices ($85 vs $140.49), the Core i5-9400 is $55 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-9400 delivers 110.3 pts/$ vs 66.1 pts/$ for the Core i3-10300 — making the Core i5-9400 the 50% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-9400 | Core i3-10300 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $192 | — |
| Avg Price (30d) | $85-39% | $140.49 |
| Performance per Dollar | 110.3+67% | 66.1 |
| Release Date | 2019 | 2020 |
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