Core i5-9400T vs Core i5-10400H

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 i5-9400T vs Core i5-10400H 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 i5-9400T vs Core i5-10400H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-9400T

2019

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (9 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 45W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (8,180 vs 8,246).
❌Launch MSRP is still $182 MSRP, while Core i5-10400H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i5-10400H

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +26.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 9 MB).
❌28.6% higher power demand at 45W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400H better than Core i5-9400T?

Yes. Core i5-10400H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 26.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.8% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-10400H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 26.3% 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 i5-10400H is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i5-10400H is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-9400T is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-10400H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you a 26.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-9400T is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (44.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-10400H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2019) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/6. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-9400T vs Core i5-10400H Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-9400T

The Core i5-9400T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 8,180 points. Launch price was $182.

Core i5-10400H

The Core i5-10400H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-H (2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 8,246 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-9400T packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Core i5-10400H offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-9400T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i5-9400T versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-10400H — a 30% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400H (base: 1.8 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i5-9400T uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-10400H uses Comet Lake-H (2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-9400T scores 8,180 against the Core i5-10400H's 8,246 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-10400H. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-9400T vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400H.

Feature	Core i5-9400T	Core i5-10400H
Cores / Threads	6 / 6+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	4.6 GHz+35%
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	2.6 GHz+44%
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)+50%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Comet Lake-H (2020)
PassMark	8,180	8,246
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,391

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-9400T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-10400H uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-9400T versus DDR4-2933 on the Core i5-10400H — the Core i5-10400H supports 10% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i5-9400T	Core i5-10400H
Socket	LGA1151	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2933+10%
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 i5-9400T) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-10400H). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-9400T) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-10400H) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-9400T targets Desktop, Core i5-10400H targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400H rivals Ryzen 5 4600H.

Feature	Core i5-9400T	Core i5-10400H
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Desktop	Performance Laptop