Core i5-9400T vs Core i7-8569U

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 i7-8569U 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 i7-8569U: 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

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i7-8569U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8569U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $182 MSRP, while Core i7-8569U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌25% higher power demand at 35W vs 28W.

Core i7-8569U

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +22.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 28W instead of 35W, a 7W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,135 vs 8,180).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-9400T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8569U better than Core i5-9400T?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-8569U is ahead with a 22.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-9400T pulls ahead with 0.6% 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 stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads.

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

Core i7-8569U is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-9400T is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-8569U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you a 22.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-9400T is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.6% better PassMark. Core i5-9400T is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (44.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-8569U is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core i5-9400T vs Core i7-8569U 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 i7-8569U

The Core i7-8569U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2019 (6 years ago). It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, LPDDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 8,135 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-9400T packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Core i7-8569U 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 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-8569U — a 32.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-8569U (base: 1.8 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i5-9400T is built on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-9400T scores 8,180 against the Core i7-8569U's 8,135 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-9400T. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-9400T vs 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i7-8569U.

Feature	Core i5-9400T	Core i7-8569U
Cores / Threads	6 / 6+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	4.7 GHz+38%
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	2.8 GHz+56%
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)+13%	8 MB Intel® Smart Cache
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	—
PassMark	8,180	8,135

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-9400T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-8569U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-9400T	Core i7-8569U
Socket	LGA1151	FCBGA1528
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 i5-9400T) / not specified (Core i7-8569U). The Core i5-9400T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-8569U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-9400T targets Desktop.