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 i5-9600T vs Core i5-10400T 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 i5-9600T vs Core i5-10400T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-9600T

2019

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (9,601 vs 9,789).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (9 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 45.1 vs 53.8 PassMark/$ ($213 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400T.

Core i5-10400T

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +15.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 9 MB).
✅Costs $31 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $213 MSRP).
✅Delivers 19.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 53.8 vs 45.1 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $213 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-9600T.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400T better than Core i5-9600T?

Yes. Core i5-10400T is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 15.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 2% 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 i5-10400T is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 15.7% 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 i5-10400T is the stronger fit. You are getting 2% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 9 MB).

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

Core i5-10400T is the better buy right now. Core i5-10400T comes in $31 cheaper on MSRP at $182 MSRP versus $213 MSRP, and it still gives you a 15.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 19.3% better value on MSRP (53.8 vs 45.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-10400T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2019), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 9 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/6. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-9600T vs Core i5-10400T Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-9600T

The Core i5-9600T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2019 (6 years ago). It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,601 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i5-10400T

The Core i5-10400T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2020 (5 years ago). It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,789 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-9600T packs 6 cores / 6 threads, matching the Core i5-10400T's 6 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-9600T versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-10400T — a 8% clock advantage for the Core i5-9600T (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2 GHz). In PassMark, the Core i5-9600T scores 9,601 against the Core i5-10400T's 9,789 — a 1.9% lead for the Core i5-10400T. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,344 vs 1,272, a 5.5% lead for the Core i5-9600T that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 9 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i5-9600T vs 12 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i5-10400T.

Feature	Core i5-9600T	Core i5-10400T
Cores / Threads	6 / 6	6 / 12
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+8%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.3 GHz+15%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	9 MB Intel® Smart Cache	12 MB Intel® Smart Cache+33%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
PassMark	9,601	9,789+2%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,344+6%	1,272

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-9600T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-10400T uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. 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. Chipset compatibility: B360,H370,H310,Q370,Z390,B365 (Core i5-9600T) and H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400T).

Feature	Core i5-9600T	Core i5-10400T
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1200
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, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-9600T) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-10400T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-9600T targets Low Power Desktop, Core i5-10400T targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-9600T rivals Ryzen 5 2400G; Core i5-10400T rivals Ryzen 5 3400GE.

Feature	Core i5-9600T	Core i5-10400T
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Low Power Desktop	Low Power Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-9600T was priced at $213, while the Core i5-10400T came in at $182. On launch pricing ($213 vs $182), Core i5-10400T was $31 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-9600T delivers 45.1 pts/$ vs 53.8 pts/$ for the Core i5-10400T — making the Core i5-10400T the 17.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-9600T	Core i5-10400T
MSRP	$213	$182-15%
Performance per Dollar	45.1	53.8+19%
Release Date	2019	2020

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