Core i5-9400H vs Core i7-1180G7

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 i5-9400H vs Core i7-1180G7 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 i5-9400H vs Core i7-1180G7: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-9400H

2019

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅300% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-1180G7 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $182 MSRP, while Core i7-1180G7 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌400% higher power demand at 45W vs 9W.

Core i7-1180G7

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Draws 9W instead of 45W, a 36W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,788 vs 7,794).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-1180G7 better than Core i5-9400H?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-1180G7 is ahead with a 6.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-9400H pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. Core i7-1180G7 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-9400H is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-1180G7 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i7-1180G7 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-9400H only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 6.7% in the shared gaming data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i7-1180G7 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2019) and 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-9400H vs Core i7-1180G7 Technical Specifications

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

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 i7-1180G7

The Core i7-1180G7 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 31 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1598. Thermal design power (TDP): 9 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,788 points. Launch price was $426.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-9400H and Core i7-1180G7 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-9400H versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-1180G7 — a 6.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-1180G7 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.3 GHz). The Core i5-9400H uses the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-1180G7 uses Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Core i5-9400H scores 7,794 against the Core i7-1180G7's 7,788 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-9400H. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,341 vs 1,845, a 31.6% lead for the Core i7-1180G7 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 8 MB on the Core i5-9400H vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-1180G7.

Feature	Core i5-9400H	Core i7-1180G7
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	4.6 GHz+7%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+92%	1.3 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB	12 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	1 MB	1.25 MB (per core)+25%
Process	14 nm	10 nm SuperFin-29%
Architecture	Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019)	Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021)
PassMark	7,794	7,788
Geekbench 6 Single	1,341	1,845+38%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-9400H uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-1180G7 uses FCBGA1598 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-9400H versus LPDDR4x-4267 on the Core i7-1180G7 — the Core i7-1180G7 supports 60.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-9400H supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-9400H) vs 4 (Core i7-1180G7) — the Core i5-9400H offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM370,QM370 (Core i5-9400H) and Tiger Lake-UP4 (Core i7-1180G7).

Feature	Core i5-9400H	Core i7-1180G7
Socket	BGA1440	FCBGA1598
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	LPDDR4x-4267+60%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+300%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16+300%	4

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i7-1180G7 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-9400H) and Iris Xe Graphics 96EU (Core i7-1180G7) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-9400H targets High Performance Laptop, Core i7-1180G7 targets Premium Ultra-Thin Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-9400H rivals Ryzen 5 4600H; Core i7-1180G7 rivals Ryzen 7 5800U.

Feature	Core i5-9400H	Core i7-1180G7
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	Iris Xe Graphics 96EU
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	High Performance Laptop	Premium Ultra-Thin Laptop