Core i5-9400T vs M1

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 M1 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 M1: 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

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while M1 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than M1 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (8,180 vs 8,207).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (9 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $182 MSRP, while M1 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

M1

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +25.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+77.8% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 9 MB).

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-9400T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is M1 better than Core i5-9400T?

Yes. M1 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 25.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% 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, M1 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 25.2% 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, M1 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 77.8% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 9 MB).

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

M1 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-9400T is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. M1 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you a 25.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-9400T is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (44.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

M1 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2019), 77.8% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 9 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 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 M1 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.

M1

The M1 is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 10 November 2020 (5 years ago). It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.064 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 16 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Passmark benchmark score: 8,207 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-9400T packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the M1 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the M1 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i5-9400T versus 3.2 GHz on the M1 — a 6.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-9400T (base: 1.8 GHz vs 2.064 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 M1's 8,207 — a 0.3% lead for the M1. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-9400T vs 16 MB on the M1.

Feature	Core i5-9400T	M1
Cores / Threads	6 / 6	8 / 8+33%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+6%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	2.064 GHz+15%
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)	16 MB+78%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+1500%	16 MB
Process	14 nm	5 nm-64%
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	—
PassMark	8,180	8,207

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-9400T) / not specified (M1). The Core i5-9400T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the M1 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-9400T targets Desktop.