Core i5-9400F 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 i5-9400F 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 i5-9400F 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 i5-9400F

2019

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $488 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $670 MSRP).
✅Delivers 271.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 52.0 vs 14.0 PassMark/$ ($182 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.

Trade-offs

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

Core i7-4930K

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 9 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (9,379 vs 9,462).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.0 vs 52.0 PassMark/$ ($670 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
❌100% higher power demand at 130W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

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

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-4930K is ahead with a 11.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-9400F pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark. Core i7-4930K also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 9 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-9400F is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads.

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

Core i5-9400F is the better buy right now. Core i5-9400F comes in $488 cheaper on MSRP at $182 MSRP versus $670 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-4930K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 11.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 271.4% better value on MSRP (52.0 vs 14.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-9400F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 6 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-9400F vs Core i7-4930K 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 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 i5-9400F packs 6 cores / 6 threads, matching the Core i7-4930K's 6 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-9400F versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-4930K — a 5% clock advantage for the Core i5-9400F (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i5-9400F uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-4930K uses Ivy Bridge-E (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-9400F scores 9,462 against the Core i7-4930K's 9,379 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-9400F. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-9400F vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-4930K.

Feature	Core i5-9400F	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-R (2018−2019)	Ivy Bridge-E (2013)
PassMark	9,462	9,379

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-9400F 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 i5-9400F	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 i5-9400F) / not specified (Core i7-4930K). Primary use case: Core i5-9400F targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-9400F	Core i7-4930K
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-9400F was priced at $182, while the Core i7-4930K came in at $670. On launch pricing ($182 vs $670), Core i5-9400F was $488 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-9400F delivers 52.0 pts/$ vs 14.0 pts/$ for the Core i7-4930K — making the Core i5-9400F the 115.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-9400F	Core i7-4930K
MSRP	$182-73%	$670
Performance per Dollar	52.0+271%	14.0
Release Date	2019	2013

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