Core i5-9400T vs Core i5-9500T

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i5-9400T

2019

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $10 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-9500T.

Core i5-9500T

2019

Why buy it

✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core i5-9400T.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,095 vs 8,180).
❌
5.5% HIGHER MSRP
$192 MSRPvs$182 MSRP

Core i5-9400T

2019

Core i5-9500T

2019

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $10 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).

Why buy it

✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core i5-9400T.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-9500T.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,095 vs 8,180).
❌
5.5% HIGHER MSRP
$192 MSRPvs$182 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-9400T better than Core i5-9500T?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Core i5-9500T is ahead with 8.8% higher max boost clock. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-9400T pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-9400T is the better fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads.

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

Core i5-9400T is the smarter buy today. Core i5-9400T is $10 cheaper on MSRP at $182 MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it gives you 1.1% better PassMark. The trade-off is that Core i5-9500T is still the better pure gaming CPU with 8.8% higher max boost clock. It is also 6.6% better value on MSRP (44.9 vs 42.2 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

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

Core i5-9400T is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 6 threads instead of 6/6. That extra compute headroom should age better as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i5-9400T Benchmark Check

Core i5-9500T Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-9400T	Core i5-9500T
1080p
low	171 FPS	168 FPS
medium	139 FPS	137 FPS
high	111 FPS	109 FPS
ultra	88 FPS	87 FPS
1440p
low	146 FPS	145 FPS
medium	118 FPS	118 FPS
high	93 FPS	92 FPS
ultra	73 FPS	73 FPS
4K
low	69 FPS	68 FPS
medium	60 FPS	59 FPS
high	47 FPS	46 FPS
ultra	37 FPS	36 FPS

Open Core i5-9400T Open Core i5-9500T

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-9400T	Core i5-9500T
1080p
low	120 FPS	120 FPS
medium	105 FPS	103 FPS
high	99 FPS	96 FPS
ultra	78 FPS	78 FPS
1440p
low	106 FPS	105 FPS
medium	92 FPS	91 FPS
high	87 FPS	85 FPS
ultra	71 FPS	71 FPS
4K
low	90 FPS	89 FPS
medium	81 FPS	80 FPS
high	72 FPS	73 FPS
ultra	55 FPS	57 FPS

Open Core i5-9400T Open Core i5-9500T

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-9400T	Core i5-9500T
1080p
low	204 FPS	202 FPS
medium	204 FPS	202 FPS
high	204 FPS	202 FPS
ultra	204 FPS	202 FPS
1440p
low	204 FPS	202 FPS
medium	204 FPS	202 FPS
high	204 FPS	202 FPS
ultra	204 FPS	202 FPS
4K
low	204 FPS	202 FPS
medium	204 FPS	202 FPS
high	170 FPS	183 FPS
ultra	135 FPS	145 FPS

Open Core i5-9400T Open Core i5-9500T

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-9400T	Core i5-9500T
1080p
low	204 FPS	202 FPS
medium	204 FPS	202 FPS
high	204 FPS	202 FPS
ultra	204 FPS	202 FPS
1440p
low	204 FPS	202 FPS
medium	204 FPS	202 FPS
high	204 FPS	202 FPS
ultra	204 FPS	202 FPS
4K
low	204 FPS	202 FPS
medium	204 FPS	202 FPS
high	204 FPS	202 FPS
ultra	204 FPS	202 FPS

Open Core i5-9400T Open Core i5-9500T

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-9400T and Core i5-9500T

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 i5-9500T

The Core i5-9500T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 8,095 points. Launch price was $192.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-9400T and Core i5-9500T share an identical 6-core/6-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i5-9400T versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-9500T — a 8.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-9500T (base: 1.8 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). Both are built on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-9400T scores 8,180 against the Core i5-9500T's 8,095 — a 1% lead for the Core i5-9400T. Both processors carry 9 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-9400T	Core i5-9500T
Cores / Threads	6 / 6	6 / 6
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	3.7 GHz+9%
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	2.2 GHz+22%
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)	9 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
PassMark	8,180+1%	8,095
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,236
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	4,218

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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.

Feature	Core i5-9400T	Core i5-9500T
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. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-9400T) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-9500T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-9400T targets Desktop, Core i5-9500T targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-9500T rivals Ryzen 5 2600.

Feature	Core i5-9400T	Core i5-9500T
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
Target Use	Desktop	Gaming

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Value Analysis

The Core i5-9400T launched at $182 MSRP, while the Core i5-9500T debuted at $192. On MSRP ($182 vs $192), the Core i5-9400T is $10 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-9400T delivers 44.9 pts/$ vs 42.2 pts/$ for the Core i5-9500T — making the Core i5-9400T the 6.4% better value option.