Intel Core i5-10400H vs Intel Core i7-8809G Comparison

The Intel Core i7-8809G and Intel Core i5-10400H are near-identical in aggregate performance, with the i7-8809G holding a razor-thin 0.2% lead in average benchmark score (2307 vs. 2303). However, the data reveals a clear split: the i7-8809G dominates Cinebench workloads across every version, while the i5-10400H counters with a decisive win in Geekbench multi-core. The i7-8809G wins 6 of 8 head-to-head tests, but the i5-10400H’s single Geekbench multi-core advantage is substantial enough to nearly erase that lead in the overall average. This is a matchup where the benchmark methodology matters more than the headline score.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i7-8809G’s Cinebench performance is consistently ahead, with every single iteration showing a victory between 3.7% and 4.1%. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-8809G scores 724 against the i5-10400H’s 697, a 3.9% margin. The single-core R15 test shows the same pattern: 102 vs. 98, a 4.1% edge. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i7-8809G posts 3017 multi-core and 425 single-core, while the i5-10400H trails at 2908 and 410 respectively, both representing 3.7% gaps. The most recent Cinebench R23 results continue the trend: the i7-8809G hits 7185 multi-core and 1014 single-core, versus 6924 and 977 for the i5-10400H, again a 3.8% difference in both. Across all six Cinebench tests, the i7-8809G’s advantage is remarkably uniform, never falling below 3.7% or exceeding 4.1%.

The Geekbench results flip the script. In Geekbench multi-core, the i5-10400H scores 5000 against the i7-8809G’s 4590, a massive 8.2% win that is by far the largest delta in the entire comparison. This single result is enough to pull the i5-10400H’s average score to within 4 points of the i7-8809G. In Geekbench single-core, the i5-10400H also wins, but narrowly: 1413 vs. 1401, a 0.8% margin. The pattern is unmistakable: the i7-8809G excels in Cinebench’s rendering-oriented workload, while the i5-10400H shows superior performance in Geekbench’s more diverse multi-threaded test. The i7-8809G’s Cinebench wins are consistent but modest, whereas the i5-10400H’s Geekbench multi-core victory is a single, large outlier.

The Verdict

The data points to the i7-8809G as the better choice for rendering and CPU-bound creative workloads, given its clean sweep of all three Cinebench versions. Its lead of 3.8% in R23 multi-core is small but consistent, suggesting a genuine architectural edge in sustained multi-threaded rendering tasks. The i5-10400H, however, is the pick for general-purpose computing and mixed workloads where Geekbench’s broader test suite is more representative. Its 8.2% multi-core advantage in Geekbench is more than double any Cinebench margin the i7-8809G can muster, indicating better real-world responsiveness in everyday applications.

For users who prioritize Cinebench scores—such as 3D artists, video editors, or anyone running CPU renderers—the i7-8809G is the clear winner. For those who value Geekbench performance, which often correlates with general application speed and multitasking, the i5-10400H is the better option. The overall average scores are nearly identical (2307 vs. 2303), so the decision hinges entirely on which benchmark suite aligns with the user’s actual workload. The i7-8809G also carries a higher TDP of 65W versus the i5-10400H’s 45W, which may matter for thermal management in thin laptops, though both are mobile parts.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-8809G has an average benchmark score of 2307, while the Intel Core i5-10400H scores 2303, a difference of 0.2% in favor of the i7-8809G.

Q: How much faster is the i7-8809G in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The i7-8809G scores 7185 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the i5-10400H scores 6924, giving the i7-8809G a 3.8% lead.

Q: Where does the i5-10400H win by the largest margin?

A: The i5-10400H wins Geekbench multi-core by 8.2%, scoring 5000 versus the i7-8809G’s 4590. This is the largest delta in any head-to-head test.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both the i7-8809G and i5-10400H have 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds of each processor?

A: The i7-8809G has a boost clock of 4.20 GHz, while the i5-10400H boosts to 4.60 GHz.

Q: How do their percentile rankings compare?

A: The i7-8809G sits in the 48th percentile of all CPUs, while the i5-10400H is in the 47th percentile, reflecting their near-identical average scores.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications beyond their benchmark scores. The i7-8809G has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz, while the i5-10400H operates at a lower 2.60 GHz base but a higher 4.60 GHz boost. The thermal design power differs significantly: the i7-8809G is rated at 65W, whereas the i5-10400H is more power-efficient at 45W. Their sockets are incompatible: the i7-8809G uses Intel BGA 2270, while the i5-10400H uses Intel BGA 1440.

Cache configurations also diverge. Both share 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the i7-8809G has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-10400H has only 6 MB. Memory support differs as well: the i7-8809G supports DDR4, while the i5-10400H supports both DDR3 and DDR4, with dual-channel memory and a memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s. The i5-10400H also lists PCIe Gen 3 support, while the i7-8809G does not specify PCIe capabilities. The integrated graphics are entirely different: the i7-8809G features a Radeon RX Vega M GH, while the i5-10400H uses UHD Graphics. The i5-10400H has a part number (SRH8R), while the i7-8809G does not list one.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap is defined by generation and design philosophy. The i7-8809G is built on Kaby Lake architecture, specifically the Kaby Lake G codename, and belongs to the Core i7 (Kaby Lake-G) generation. The i5-10400H uses Comet Lake architecture with the Comet Lake-H codename, part of the Core 10th Gen series. Both are manufactured on Intel’s 14 nm process node, but they represent different design eras: Kaby Lake G was released on 2018-01-31, while Comet Lake-H arrived on 2020-04-01.

The most striking architectural difference is the integrated graphics solution. The i7-8809G pairs its CPU with a Radeon RX Vega M GH, a high-performance discrete-class GPU integrated on the package, while the i5-10400H uses the more conventional UHD Graphics. This reflects a fundamental design divergence: the i7-8809G targets compact systems needing strong GPU performance without a separate graphics card, whereas the i5-10400H relies on standard Intel integrated graphics. Both processors have 4 cores and 8 threads, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The i5-10400H supports DDR3 in addition to DDR4 and specifies dual-channel memory, while the i7-8809G only lists DDR4 support.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-8809G is the winner in every Cinebench test, making it the preferred choice for CPU rendering workloads. Its 3.7% to 4.1% margins across R15, R20, and R23 multi-core and single-core tests indicate consistent superiority in rendering tasks that rely on sustained multi-threaded execution. This makes it the logical pick for 3D rendering, video encoding, and other content creation applications where Cinebench scores are a reliable proxy. The larger L3 cache (8 MB vs. 6 MB) may contribute to this advantage, though the data does not isolate that factor.

The i5-10400H wins only two tests, but one is decisive. Its 8.2% victory in Geekbench multi-core suggests better performance in mixed, real-world workloads that involve a variety of tasks beyond pure rendering. The higher boost clock (4.60 GHz vs. 4.20 GHz) likely plays a role in its Geekbench single-core win (1413 vs. 1401), though the margin is slim. For users running general productivity software, web browsing, or multitasking environments, the i5-10400H’s Geekbench strengths are more relevant. Its lower 45W TDP also makes it more suitable for thinner, cooler-running laptops, whereas the i7-8809G’s 65W TDP may require more robust cooling.