Intel Core i5-10200H vs Intel Core i5-9400T Comparison

The Intel Core i5-10200H and Intel Core i5-9400T represent two distinct approaches to Intel’s 14 nm process, one aimed at mobile performance and the other at desktop efficiency. The benchmark data shows a clear split: the i5-9400T dominates the Cinebench suite, while the i5-10200H counters with decisive wins in Geekbench, particularly in single-core performance. With an average benchmark score of 2154 for the i5-10200H against 2136 for the i5-9400T, the overall margin is tight, but the distribution of victories reveals which processor is better suited for specific workloads.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-9400T claims a commanding 6 out of 8 head-to-head benchmark victories, all of which occur in the Cinebench tests. These include both multi-core and single-core iterations across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. The margin is consistent, ranging from -1% to -1.6% in favor of the i5-9400T. This suggests that the desktop part has a slight but reliable edge in rendering and CPU-intensive compute tasks that rely on sustained multi-threaded performance, as well as in older single-threaded workloads.

The i5-10200H, despite losing the majority of tests, wins the two Geekbench entries. The Geekbench multi-core score stands at 4096 for the i5-10200H versus 3969 for the i5-9400T, a 3.2% advantage. More striking is the Geekbench single-core result, where the i5-10200H scores 1347 against 1152, a 16.9% lead. This indicates that in workloads that leverage the specific optimizations and instruction sets measured by Geekbench, the mobile chip pulls ahead significantly, especially in single-threaded applications.

The use-case split is therefore: choose the i5-9400T for Cinebench-style rendering and general compute tasks, but the i5-10200H for applications that favor Geekbench metrics, particularly those that are single-thread bound. The i5-10200H’s percentile rank of 47 places it in the lower half of all CPUs, and the i5-9400T sits at the same percentile, meaning neither processor is a top-tier performer, but each has distinct strengths.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-10200H has an average benchmark score of 2154, while the Intel Core i5-9400T has an average score of 2136. The difference is 0.9% in favor of the i5-10200H.

Q: How does the i5-9400T perform in Cinebench R23 multi-core compared to the i5-10200H?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-9400T scores 6896, while the i5-10200H scores 6795. The i5-9400T wins by 1.5%.

Q: What is the largest single benchmark win for either processor?

A: The largest win is in Geekbench single-core, where the i5-10200H scores 1347 against 1152, a 16.9% advantage over the i5-9400T.

Q: Are the two processors in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both the i5-10200H and the i5-9400T are in the 47th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The i5-9400T has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the i5-10200H has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between the two?

A: The i5-10200H supports a memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s, while the i5-9400T supports 42.7 GB/s.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

Walking through the benchmark results, the i5-9400T wins all six Cinebench tests, but the margins are consistently narrow. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-9400T scores 695 against 684, a 1.6% difference. The single-core R15 test is closer, with 97 against 96, a 1% margin. These small deltas repeat in Cinebench R20, where the multi-core score is 2896 for the i5-9400T versus 2853 for the i5-10200H, a 1.5% gap, and the single-core score is 408 against 402, again 1.5%. The pattern holds in Cinebench R23, with the i5-9400T winning multi-core 6896 to 6795 (1.5%) and single-core 973 to 959 (1.4%).

The Geekbench tests flip the script. The i5-10200H wins Geekbench multi-core with a score of 4096, against 3969 for the i5-9400T, a 3.2% lead. In Geekbench single-core, the i5-10200H’s advantage grows substantially, scoring 1347 against 1152, a 16.9% margin. This is the outlier result, far exceeding any other difference between the two chips. The data suggests that while the i5-9400T has a slight edge in the heavily threaded Cinebench workloads, the i5-10200H has a significant advantage in Geekbench’s single-core test, possibly due to its higher boost clock of 4.10 GHz compared to 3.40 GHz for the i5-9400T.

The overall win count is 6 for the i5-9400T and 2 for the i5-10200H, but the magnitude of the i5-10200H’s wins, particularly the 16.9% single-core margin, means the average benchmark score still slightly favors the i5-10200H (2154 vs 2136). This is a case where the frequency of wins does not tell the whole story, as the i5-9400T’s victories are narrow while the i5-10200H’s are decisive.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ significantly. The i5-9400T has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the i5-10200H has 4 cores and 8 threads. This means the i5-9400T has more physical cores, but the i5-10200H has Hyper-Threading, enabling 8 threads from 4 cores. The base clocks are also vastly different: the i5-9400T runs at 1800.00 MHz, while the i5-10200H runs at 2.40 GHz. The boost clocks are 3.40 GHz for the i5-9400T and 4.10 GHz for the i5-10200H, giving the mobile chip a 0.70 GHz advantage in peak frequency.

The thermal design power (TDP) differs, with the i5-9400T rated at 35W and the i5-10200H at 45W. The sockets are incompatible: the i5-9400T uses Intel Socket 1151, while the i5-10200H uses Intel BGA 1440. The i5-9400T is a desktop part, while the i5-10200H is a mobile part. Memory support varies, with the i5-10200H supporting DDR3 and DDR4, while the i5-9400T supports only DDR4. Both are dual-channel, but the memory bandwidth differs: 46.9 GB/s for the i5-10200H versus 42.7 GB/s for the i5-9400T. The i5-9400T lists a PCIe configuration of Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-10200H simply lists Gen 3.

The L3 cache is larger on the i5-9400T, at 9 MB shared, compared to 6 MB shared on the i5-10200H. The integrated graphics differ, with the i5-10200H featuring UHD Graphics and the i5-9400T featuring UHD 630. The production statuses also differ: the i5-10200H is active, while the i5-9400T is end-of-life. The release dates are separated by roughly two years, with the i5-9400T launching in 2018 and the i5-10200H in 2020.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel’s 14 nm process node, but they belong to different architectural families. The i5-10200H is a Comet Lake part, with the specific codename Comet Lake-H, and is part of the Core 10th Gen series. The i5-9400T is a Coffee Lake part, with the codename Coffee Lake, and is part of the Core i5 (Coffee Lake Refresh) generation. Despite the same process node, the microarchitectural refinements differ between the two, which partially explains the divergent benchmark results.

The core configurations reflect their different market segments. The i5-10200H has 4 cores and 8 threads, a configuration that benefits from Hyper-Threading to improve multitasking and thread utilization in a mobile power envelope. The i5-9400T has 6 cores and 6 threads, relying on a higher physical core count but without Hyper-Threading. The L1 and L2 cache structures are identical, with 64 KB per core for L1 and 256 KB per core for L2, but the L3 cache differs: 6 MB shared on the i5-10200H versus 9 MB shared on the i5-9400T.

The memory controllers differ, with the i5-10200H supporting both DDR3 and DDR4, while the i5-9400T supports only DDR4. The i5-10200H also has a higher memory bandwidth rating of 46.9 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s. The integrated graphics are not identical, with the i5-10200H using a generic UHD Graphics implementation and the i5-9400T using the UHD 630. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and both are manufactured by Intel.

The Verdict

The data presents a nuanced picture. For users prioritizing Cinebench-style rendering, the i5-9400T is the consistent winner, taking all six Cinebench tests with margins between 1% and 1.6%. Its 6-core, 6-thread configuration and larger 9 MB L3 cache likely contribute to these results. The i5-9400T also has a lower TDP of 35W, making it a more power-efficient choice for sustained workloads despite its age, as indicated by its end-of-life production status.

For users who value Geekbench performance, particularly single-core, the i5-10200H is the clear choice. Its 16.9% lead in Geekbench single-core is the largest margin in any test, and its 3.2% lead in Geekbench multi-core shows it can also win in that metric. The higher boost clock of 4.10 GHz and the addition of Hyper-Threading (8 threads from 4 cores) are likely factors. The i5-10200H also has a higher memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s and support for both DDR3 and DDR4, which may appeal to system builders with existing memory.

The verdict depends on the workload. The i5-9400T is the better processor for Cinebench-based rendering and compute tasks, where its extra physical cores provide a slight but consistent advantage. The i5-10200H is the better processor for Geekbench-heavy applications, especially those that are single-thread bound, where its advantage is substantial. The i5-10200H also edges out the i5-9400T in average benchmark score (2154 vs 2136), indicating a slightly higher overall performance level across the tested workloads. However, the i5-9400T’s status as a desktop part with a lower TDP makes it a strong candidate for systems where sustained multi-core performance is the priority.