Core i5-9400 vs Core i7-1068NG7

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 i5-9400 vs Core i7-1068NG7 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 i5-9400 vs Core i7-1068NG7: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-9400

2019

Why buy it

✅+1.4% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i7-1068NG7 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $192 MSRP, while Core i7-1068NG7 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌132.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 28W.

Core i7-1068NG7

2019

Why buy it

✅Draws 28W instead of 65W, a 37W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (9,240 vs 9,372).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-9400 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-9400 better than Core i7-1068NG7?

Yes. Core i5-9400 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.4% 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 i5-9400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads.

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

Core i5-9400 is the better buy right now. Core i5-9400 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $192 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (48.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-1068NG7 is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core i5-9400 vs Core i7-1068NG7 Technical Specifications

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

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 i7-1068NG7

The Core i7-1068NG7 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Ice Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1344. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200, LPDDR4-3733. Passmark benchmark score: 9,240 points. Launch price was $320.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-9400 packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Core i7-1068NG7 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 4.1 GHz on the Core i7-1068NG7 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-9400 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-1068NG7 uses Ice Lake-U (2019−2020) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-9400 scores 9,372 against the Core i7-1068NG7's 9,240 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i5-9400. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-9400 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-1068NG7.

Feature	Core i5-9400	Core i7-1068NG7
Cores / Threads	6 / 6+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz	4.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+26%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)+13%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	10 nm-29%
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Ice Lake-U (2019−2020)
PassMark	9,372+1%	9,240

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-9400 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-1068NG7 uses FCBGA1344 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-9400	Core i7-1068NG7
Socket	LGA1151	FCBGA1344
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: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-9400) / not specified (Core i7-1068NG7). The Core i5-9400 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-1068NG7 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-9400 targets Desktop.