Core i5-9400H vs Core i3-10300T
Core i5-9400H
Core i3-10300T
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. The Core i5-9400H is positioned at rank #421 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. 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 i5-9400H
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-10300T
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-9400H | Core i3-10300T |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($182) | ✅ More affordable ($100) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-9400H | Core i3-10300T |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+84%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($182) | ✅ More affordable ($100) |
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 i5-9400H and Core i3-10300T
Core i5-9400H
The Core i5-9400H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,794 points. Launch price was $149.
Core i3-10300T
The Core i3-10300T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2020 (5 years ago). It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 7,879 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
Both the Core i5-9400H and Core i3-10300T share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-9400H versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-10300T — a 9.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-9400H (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-9400H is built on the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-9400H scores 7,794 against the Core i3-10300T's 7,879 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i3-10300T. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,341 vs 1,313, a 2.1% lead for the Core i5-9400H that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 8 MB on the Core i5-9400H vs 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i3-10300T.
| Feature | Core i5-9400H | Core i3-10300T |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 4.3 GHz+10% | 3.9 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 3 GHz+20% |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB | 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | — |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) | — |
| PassMark | 7,794 | 7,879+1% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,341+2% | 1,313 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 4,090 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-9400H uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-10300T uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. 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: HM370,QM370 (Core i5-9400H) and LGA1200 (Core i3-10300T).
| Feature | Core i5-9400H | Core i3-10300T |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1440 | LGA1200 |
| 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 | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-9400H) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-10300T). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-9400H) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i3-10300T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-9400H targets High Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-9400H rivals Ryzen 5 4600H.
| Feature | Core i5-9400H | Core i3-10300T |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 630 | UHD Graphics 630 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | High Performance Laptop | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-9400H launched at $182 MSRP, while the Core i3-10300T debuted at $157.
| Feature | Core i5-9400H | Core i3-10300T |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $182 | $157-14% |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $100 |
| Release Date | 2019 | 2020 |
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