Intel Core i5-1145GRE vs Intel Core i5-8400H Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Core i5-1145GRE is the stronger processor in every recorded benchmark comparison. Across six Cinebench tests, it wins all of them, with deltas ranging from 9.5% to 10%. The i5-8400H never takes a single head-to-head win. If you are choosing strictly on measured performance, the 1145GRE is the clear pick.

The i5-1145GRE also carries a substantial architectural advantage. It uses the Tiger Lake architecture on a 10 nm process, while the i5-8400H uses Coffee Lake on 14 nm. The 1145GRE has a lower TDP of 28 watts versus 45 watts for the 8400H, which means it achieves its performance lead while drawing less power. That makes it the better choice for thin-and-light mobile systems where thermal headroom is limited.

The i5-8400H is not without reasons to exist. It is an end-of-life part, while the 1145GRE is still active in production. The 8400H has a larger L3 cache at 12 MB shared versus 8 MB shared on the 1145GRE, and it supports only DDR4 memory, while the 1145GRE supports both DDR4 and LPDDR4X. But in raw compute, the data shows the 1145GRE ahead in every single-core and multi-core test.

For a buyer looking at a laptop or embedded system today, the 1145GRE is the recommended part. It wins every benchmark, uses less power, has a newer architecture, and remains in production. The 8400H should only be considered if you are dealing with an existing system or a platform that specifically requires the BGA 1440 socket. The 1145GRE uses the BGA 1449 socket, so they are not interchangeable.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations and process nodes. The i5-1145GRE is built on Tiger Lake, specifically the Tiger Lake-U platform, using the Willow Cove core architecture. It is fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process with a die size of 144 mm². The i5-8400H is a Coffee Lake-H part, using the older 14 nm process, with a die size of 126 mm². The 1145GRE has a smaller process node but a larger die, which is typical for the newer integrated graphics and feature set.

Both chips have 4 cores and 8 threads. The 1145GRE has a base clock of 1500 MHz and a boost clock of 4100 MHz. The 8400H has a base clock of 2500 MHz and the same 4100 MHz boost. The higher base clock on the 8400H does not translate into a benchmark advantage; the 1145GRE still wins all tests, indicating that the newer architecture delivers more instructions per clock.

Cache layouts differ significantly. The 1145GRE has 80 KB of L1 per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with 8 MB of shared L3. The 8400H has 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with a larger 12 MB of shared L3. The 1145GRE has a much larger L2 per core, which likely helps with its single-core performance lead, while the 8400H compensates with more L3 capacity.

Memory support is another differentiator. The 1145GRE supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X in dual-channel configuration, and it has ECC memory support. The 8400H supports only DDR4 and has no ECC capability. The 1145GRE also features PCIe Gen 4 with 4 lanes from the CPU, while the 8400H has no PCIe information recorded. Integrated graphics differ as well: the 1145GRE uses Iris Xe Graphics G7 with 80 execution units, while the 8400H uses the older UHD 630.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core performance?

A: The i5-1145GRE wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 7001 versus 6392 for the 8400H, a 9.5% delta. In R20 multi-core, it scores 2940 versus 2684, and in R15 multi-core, 705 versus 644.

Q: How big is the single-core gap between the two?

A: The 1145GRE leads in every single-core test. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 988 versus 902, a 9.5% delta. In R20 single-core, 414 versus 378, and in R15 single-core, 99 versus 90, which is a 10% delta.

Q: Does the 8400H have any advantage in cache size?

A: Yes. The 8400H has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the 1145GRE has 8 MB. The 8400H also has smaller per-core L1 and L2 caches, but the larger L3 does not result in a benchmark win in any recorded test.

Q: Are these processors socket compatible?

A: No. The 1145GRE uses Intel BGA 1449, while the 8400H uses Intel BGA 1440. They are physically different sockets and cannot be swapped between the same motherboards.

Q: Is the 1145GRE more power efficient?

A: The recorded TDP is 28 watts for the 1145GRE and 45 watts for the 8400H. The 1145GRE delivers higher benchmark scores across the board while being rated for lower power consumption.

Q: Is the 8400H still in production?

A: No. The 8400H is marked as end-of-life, while the 1145GRE is listed as active in production.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The 1145GRE has a base clock of 1500 MHz, while the 8400H has a base clock of 2500 MHz. Both share the same boost clock of 4100 MHz. The 1145GRE has a TDP of 28 watts; the 8400H has a TDP of 45 watts.

The process node differs: 10 nm for the 1145GRE versus 14 nm for the 8400H. Die size also differs, with 144 mm² for the 1145GRE and 126 mm² for the 8400H. Cache configurations are different: the 1145GRE has 80 KB of L1 per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, while the 8400H has 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core. L3 cache is 8 MB shared on the 1145GRE and 12 MB shared on the 8400H.

Memory support differs: the 1145GRE supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X with dual-channel memory, the 8400H supports only DDR4. ECC memory is supported on the 1145GRE but not on the 8400H. The 1145GRE has PCIe Gen 4 with 4 CPU lanes; no PCIe data is recorded for the 8400H. Integrated graphics are Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU on the 1145GRE versus UHD 630 on the 8400H. Sockets differ: BGA 1449 for the 1145GRE and BGA 1440 for the 8400H. The 1145GRE launched in September 2020, the 8400H in April 2018. The 1145GRE has a launch MSRP of $362; no launch MSRP is recorded for the 8400H. Production status is active for the 1145GRE and end-of-life for the 8400H.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data covers six Cinebench tests, and the i5-1145GRE wins all of them. The narrowest margin is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the 1145GRE scores 99 against 90 for the 8400H, a 10% delta. The widest margin is also in single-core testing, but the percentage is the same 10% in R15, while the other single-core tests show 9.5% deltas.

In multi-core tests, the 1145GRE is consistently 9.5% ahead. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 7001 versus 6392. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 2940 versus 2684. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows 705 versus 644. Single-core results follow the same pattern: R23 single-core is 988 versus 902, R20 single-core is 414 versus 378, and R15 single-core is 99 versus 90.

The average benchmark score for the 1145GRE is 2025 across all recorded tests, while the 8400H averages 2003. The 1145GRE sits at the 45th percentile among all CPUs, and the 8400H is also at the 45th percentile. The nearest rivals for the 1145GRE include the Intel Core i5-1130G7 at an average score of 2026, which is 0.1% higher, and the Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5 at 2029, which is 0.2% higher. The nearest rivals for the 8400H include the AMD Ryzen 7 2800H at 2002, which is 0.1% lower, and the Intel Core i5-8300H at 2005, which is 0.1% higher.

The 8400H has two additional Geekbench results recorded: a multi-core score of 3656 and a single-core score of 1281. No comparable Geekbench results are recorded for the 1145GRE, so those cannot be used for a direct comparison.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-1145GRE wins in every recorded compute benchmark. It is the better choice for any workload that relies on single-threaded performance, such as everyday application responsiveness, web browsing, and lightly threaded productivity tasks. It is equally strong in multi-threaded workloads, as shown by its consistent 9.5% lead in all three multi-core Cinebench tests. The lower 28-watt TDP makes it suitable for compact mobile systems where thermal and power budgets are tight, and the active production status means it is still a viable option for new designs.

The i5-8400H does not win any recorded benchmark, so its advantages are not in raw compute. It has a larger L3 cache of 12 MB, which can help in certain cache-sensitive workloads, but the recorded data does not show this translating into a Cinebench win. It also has a higher base clock of 2500 MHz, but again the benchmark results favor the 1145GRE. The 8400H might be relevant for a platform that is already built around the BGA 1440 socket, but from a pure performance standpoint, the data does not support choosing it over the 1145GRE.

For a builder selecting between these two today, the 1145GRE is the correct pick for performance and efficiency. The 8400H is an older, end-of-life part with no benchmark wins and a higher TDP. The only reason to consider the 8400H is hardware compatibility with an existing BGA 1440 design, or if the larger L3 cache is specifically required for a particular workload. Otherwise, the 1145GRE dominates in every measured category.