Core i7-870 vs Pentium Gold G5400T

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 i7-870 vs Pentium Gold G5400T 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 i7-870 vs Pentium Gold G5400T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-870

2009

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Pentium Gold G5400T.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $300 MSRP, while Pentium Gold G5400T mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌171.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 35W.

Pentium Gold G5400T

2018

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 95W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-870 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,156 vs 3,164).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-870.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-870 better than Pentium Gold G5400T?

Yes. Core i7-870 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-870 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.1% 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 i7-870 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Core i7-870 is the better buy right now. Core i7-870 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $300 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (10.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium Gold G5400T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-870 vs Pentium Gold G5400T Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-870

The Core i7-870 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.93 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,164 points. Launch price was $305.

Pentium Gold G5400T

The Pentium Gold G5400T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,156 points. Launch price was $64.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-870 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Pentium Gold G5400T offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-870 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-870 versus 3.1 GHz on the Pentium Gold G5400T — a 14.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-870 (base: 2.93 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i7-870 uses the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium Gold G5400T uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-870 scores 3,164 against the Pentium Gold G5400T's 3,156 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-870. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-870 vs 4 MB (total) on the Pentium Gold G5400T.

Feature	Core i7-870	Pentium Gold G5400T
Cores / Threads	4 / 8+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+16%	3.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.93 GHz	3.1 GHz+6%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+100%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Lynnfield (2009−2010)	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
PassMark	3,164	3,156
Geekbench 6 Single	476	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,541	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-870 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium Gold G5400T uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-870	Pentium Gold G5400T
Socket	LGA1156	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—