Core i5-9400T vs M1
Core i5-9400T
M1
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-9400T
Performance Per Dollar M1
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-9400T | M1 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($60) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake (2017−2019) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 5 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-9400T | M1 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($60) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-9400T and M1
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) | 16 MB+6300% |
| 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.
| Feature | Core i5-9400T | M1 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 630 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | Desktop | — |
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