Core i7-3770T vs Core i5-6400
Core i7-3770T
Core i5-6400
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. The Core i7-3770T is positioned at rank 805 and the Core i5-6400 is on rank 600, so the Core i5-6400 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3770T
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6400
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-3770T | Core i5-6400 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($105) | ✅ More affordable ($57) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-3770T | Core i5-6400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+85%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($105) | ✅ More affordable ($57) |
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 i7-3770T and Core i5-6400
Core i7-3770T
The Core i7-3770T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,403 points. Launch price was $330.
Core i5-6400
The Core i5-6400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 July 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,417 points. Launch price was $187.
Processing Power
The Core i7-3770T packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Core i5-6400's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-3770T versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-6400 — a 11.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-3770T (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i7-3770T uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-6400 uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3770T scores 5,403 against the Core i5-6400's 5,417 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-6400. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 850 vs 950, a 11.1% lead for the Core i5-6400 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,859 vs 3,200 (11.3% advantage for the Core i5-6400). L3 cache: 8192 kB (total) on the Core i7-3770T vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-6400.
| Feature | Core i7-3770T | Core i5-6400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz+12% | 3.3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 2.7 GHz+8% |
| L3 Cache | 8192 kB (total)+33% | 6 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm | 14 nm-36% |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Skylake (2015−2016) |
| PassMark | 5,403 | 5,417 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 850 | 950+12% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 2,859 | 3,200+12% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-3770T uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-6400 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i7-3770T versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6400 — the Core i5-6400 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-6400 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H61,H67,P67,Z68,B75,H77,Z75,Z77 (Core i7-3770T) and H110,B150,H170,Z170 (Core i5-6400).
| Feature | Core i7-3770T | Core i5-6400 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | DDR4-2133+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 64 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: Yes (Core i7-3770T) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6400). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i7-3770T) and Intel HD Graphics 530 (Core i5-6400) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6400 targets Mainstream Desktop.
| Feature | Core i7-3770T | Core i5-6400 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | Intel HD Graphics 530 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | Yes | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Mainstream Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-3770T launched at $278 MSRP, while the Core i5-6400 debuted at $182. At current prices ($105 vs $57), the Core i5-6400 is $48 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-3770T delivers 51.5 pts/$ vs 95.0 pts/$ for the Core i5-6400 — making the Core i5-6400 the 59.5% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-3770T | Core i5-6400 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $278 | $182-35% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $105 | $57-46% |
| Performance per Dollar | 51.5 | 95.0+84% |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2015 |
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