Core i5-9400F vs Core i5-9600T

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 i5-9400F vs Core i5-9600T 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 i5-9400F vs Core i5-9600T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-9400F

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $31 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $213 MSRP).
✅Delivers 15.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 52.0 vs 45.1 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $213 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (9,462 vs 9,601).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-9600T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-9600T

2019

Why buy it

✅+1.5% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i5-9400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-9400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 45.1 vs 52.0 PassMark/$ ($213 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-9600T better than Core i5-9400F?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-9400F is ahead with a 8.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-9600T pulls ahead with 1.5% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-9600T is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads.

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

Core i5-9600T is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-9400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-9600T comes in 17.0% more expensive on MSRP at $213 MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-9400F is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 8.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-9400F is also 15.3% better value on MSRP (52.0 vs 45.1 PassMark/$), 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 i5-9600T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 6 threads instead of 6/6. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-9400F vs Core i5-9600T Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i5-9600T

The Core i5-9600T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2019 (6 years ago). It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,601 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-9400F and Core i5-9600T share an identical 6-core/6-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-9400F versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-9600T — a 5% clock advantage for the Core i5-9400F (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-9400F is built on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-9400F scores 9,462 against the Core i5-9600T's 9,601 — a 1.5% lead for the Core i5-9600T. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-9400F vs 9 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i5-9600T.

Feature	Core i5-9400F	Core i5-9600T
Cores / Threads	6 / 6	6 / 6
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+5%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+26%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)	9 MB Intel® Smart Cache
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	—
PassMark	9,462	9,601+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,344

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 series (Core i5-9400F) and B360,H370,H310,Q370,Z390,B365 (Core i5-9600T).

Feature	Core i5-9400F	Core i5-9600T
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-9400F) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-9600T). The Core i5-9600T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i5-9400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-9400F targets Desktop, Core i5-9600T targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-9600T rivals Ryzen 5 2400G.

Feature	Core i5-9400F	Core i5-9600T
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Desktop	Low Power Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-9400F was priced at $182, while the Core i5-9600T came in at $213. On launch pricing ($182 vs $213), Core i5-9400F was $31 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-9400F delivers 52.0 pts/$ vs 45.1 pts/$ for the Core i5-9600T — making the Core i5-9400F the 14.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-9400F	Core i5-9600T
MSRP	$182-15%	$213
Performance per Dollar	52.0+15%	45.1
Release Date	2019	2019

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