Core i5-9400 vs Core i7-4930K

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 i7-4930K 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 i7-4930K: 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

✅Costs $478 less on MSRP ($192 MSRP vs $670 MSRP).
✅Delivers 248.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 48.8 vs 14.0 PassMark/$ ($192 MSRP vs $670 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 130W, a 65W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i7-4930K needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4930K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (9,372 vs 9,379).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (9 MB vs 12 MB).

Core i7-4930K

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 9 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.0 vs 48.8 PassMark/$ ($670 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
❌100% higher power demand at 130W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-9400 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4930K better than Core i5-9400?

Yes. Core i7-4930K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 11.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-4930K is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 11.6% 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 i7-4930K is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 9 MB).

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

Core i7-4930K is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-9400 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-4930K comes in 249.0% more expensive on MSRP at $670 MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-9400 is also 248.7% better value on MSRP (48.8 vs 14.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-9400 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-9400 vs Core i7-4930K 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 i7-4930K

The Core i7-4930K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-E (2013) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 9,379 points. Launch price was $670.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-9400 packs 6 cores / 6 threads, matching the Core i7-4930K's 6 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-9400 versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-4930K — a 5% clock advantage for the Core i5-9400 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i5-9400 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-4930K uses Ivy Bridge-E (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-9400 scores 9,372 against the Core i7-4930K's 9,379 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-4930K. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-9400 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-4930K.

Feature	Core i5-9400	Core i7-4930K
Cores / Threads	6 / 6	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+5%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	3.4 GHz+17%
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Ivy Bridge-E (2013)
PassMark	9,372	9,379

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-9400 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4930K uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-9400	Core i7-4930K
Socket	LGA1151	LGA2011
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 i7-4930K). The Core i5-9400 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-4930K requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-9400 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-9400	Core i7-4930K
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-9400 was priced at $192, while the Core i7-4930K came in at $670. On launch pricing ($192 vs $670), Core i5-9400 was $478 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-9400 delivers 48.8 pts/$ vs 14.0 pts/$ for the Core i7-4930K — making the Core i5-9400 the 110.9% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-9400	Core i7-4930K
MSRP	$192-71%	$670
Performance per Dollar	48.8+249%	14.0
Release Date	2019	2013

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