Intel Core i5-6400 vs Intel Core i5-7400T Comparison

Intel Core i5-6400 vs Intel Core i5-7400T is a classic matchup between a standard desktop part and a low-power variant from the next generation. Both are locked, four-core, four-thread processors on the same socket, but the data shows they target different priorities. The i5-7400T wins the majority of benchmark head-to-heads, while the i5-6400 counters with a notable win in Geekbench multi-core. Here is how the recorded measurements break down.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records six benchmark victories for the Intel Core i5-7400T and two for the Intel Core i5-6400. The most decisive margin for the i5-7400T comes in the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-7400T scores 401 against the i5-6400's 364, a delta of 9.2 percent. The single-core result in R15 follows the same pattern: 56 versus 51, an 8.9 percent advantage for the i5-7400T.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the gap holds steady. The i5-7400T posts 1672 in multi-core, while the i5-6400 manages 1517, a 9.3 percent difference. In R20 single-core, the i5-7400T scores 236, and the i5-6400 scores 214, again a 9.3 percent lead. The Cinebench R23 results are nearly identical in proportion: multi-core shows 3981 for the i5-7400T versus 3614 for the i5-6400, a 9.2 percent difference, and single-core shows 562 versus 510, a 9.3 percent gap. Across all six Cinebench tests, the i5-7400T consistently sits about 9 percent ahead, regardless of workload type.

The story flips in Geekbench. In Geekbench multi-core, the i5-6400 scores 3134, beating the i5-7400T's 2864 by 9.4 percent. That is the single largest delta in either direction on this page. In Geekbench single-core, the i5-6400 wins again, 1048 versus 1014, a 3.4 percent margin. So while the i5-7400T dominates the Cinebench render workloads, the i5-6400 shows a clear advantage in the Geekbench suite, especially in multi-core.

The average benchmark score also favors the i5-7400T: 1348 versus 1307. That places the i5-7400T at the 36th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the i5-6400 sits at the 35th percentile. The i5-7400T's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-4670 at 1347 (a 0 percent delta) and the Intel Xeon W-2104 at 1350 (a 0.1 percent deficit). The i5-6400's closest competition includes the AMD Athlon Gold 7220U at 1311 (0.3 percent ahead) and the Intel Core i7-3770T at 1314 (0.5 percent ahead). Both chips are clustered tightly with their neighbors, but the i5-7400T holds a slight overall edge in average score.

Architecture Differences

The i5-6400 is built on the Skylake architecture, while the i5-7400T uses Kaby Lake. Both are manufactured on Intel's 14 nm process and both use the Intel Socket 1151. The i5-6400 has a die size of 177 mm², while the database does not record a die size for the i5-7400T. Both processors have 4 cores and 4 threads, with identical cache layouts: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3.

The integrated graphics differ. The i5-6400 carries HD Graphics 530, while the i5-7400T uses HD 630. Both support DDR4 memory over a dual-channel bus, but the recorded memory bandwidth is different: the i5-6400 lists 34.1 GB/s, and the i5-7400T lists 38.4 GB/s. That bandwidth gap may contribute to the i5-7400T's stronger Cinebench results, though the architecture change from Skylake to Kaby Lake also plays a role. Both chips support PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, and neither supports ECC memory. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The production status is a clear split: the i5-6400 is marked end-of-life, while the i5-7400T is listed as active. The release dates reflect that: the i5-6400 launched in 2015, and the i5-7400T arrived in 2017. The i5-6400 has a recorded part number of SR2L7, and the i5-7400T uses SR332.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-7400T is the stronger choice for Cinebench workloads. Every single Cinebench test, from R15 through R23, shows it ahead by roughly 9 percent. That includes both multi-core and single-core variants, which suggests the i5-7400T's higher per-clock efficiency and better memory bandwidth translate into consistent rendering performance. The i5-7400T also carries the higher average benchmark score, 1348 versus 1307, and the higher percentile ranking.

The i5-6400 wins in Geekbench. The multi-core margin is substantial at 9.4 percent, and even the single-core result is positive at 3.4 percent. For workloads modeled by Geekbench, which often include integer and floating-point tasks with memory access patterns different from Cinebench, the i5-6400's higher base clock of 2.70 GHz versus 2.40 GHz and boost clock of 3.30 GHz versus 3.00 GHz appear to matter more than the architectural refinements in Kaby Lake. The i5-6400 also has a higher TDP at 65 watts versus 35 watts, which allows it to sustain higher clocks under load.

The i5-7400T's lower 35-watt TDP makes it the obvious pick for thermally constrained systems or builds where power draw is a priority. The i5-6400's 65-watt TDP is higher, but it still records a launch MSRP of $182, which may be useful for reference. The i5-7400T has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on several key fields. The base clock is 2.70 GHz for the i5-6400 and 2.40 GHz for the i5-7400T. The boost clock is 3.30 GHz for the i5-6400 and 3.00 GHz for the i5-7400T. The TDP is 65 watts for the i5-6400 and 35 watts for the i5-7400T. The architecture is Skylake for the i5-6400 and Kaby Lake for the i5-7400T. The integrated graphics are HD Graphics 530 on the i5-6400 and HD 630 on the i5-7400T. The memory bandwidth is 34.1 GB/s on the i5-6400 and 38.4 GB/s on the i5-7400T. The die size is 177 mm² for the i5-6400, with no recorded value for the i5-7400T. The production status is end-of-life for the i5-6400 and active for the i5-7400T. The release dates are 2015 for the i5-6400 and 2017 for the i5-7400T. The part numbers are SR2L7 and SR332, respectively. The launch MSRP of $182 applies only to the i5-6400.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i5-6400 has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz. The Intel Core i5-7400T has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.00 GHz.

Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i5-7400T scores 3981, while the Intel Core i5-6400 scores 3614. That is a 9.2 percent advantage for the i5-7400T.

Q: Does the i5-6400 win any benchmark?

A: Yes, the i5-6400 wins Geekbench multi-core with a score of 3134 versus 2864, a 9.4 percent margin. It also wins Geekbench single-core, 1048 versus 1014, a 3.4 percent advantage.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The i5-6400 has a TDP of 65 watts. The i5-7400T has a TDP of 35 watts.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory?

A: Both support DDR4 over a dual-channel bus, but the recorded bandwidth differs. The i5-6400 lists 34.1 GB/s, and the i5-7400T lists 38.4 GB/s.

Q: Which processor is still in production?

A: The Intel Core i5-7400T is listed as active. The Intel Core i5-6400 is listed as end-of-life.

The Verdict

The data splits this matchup cleanly by workload. If the priority is Cinebench-style rendering, the Intel Core i5-7400T is the clear pick. It wins all six Cinebench tests by about 9 percent, has a higher average benchmark score, and does so while drawing 35 watts instead of 65 watts. For a low-power build or a compact system where thermals are tight, the i5-7400T offers better performance per watt in the recorded render tests.

If the priority is Geekbench-style workloads, the Intel Core i5-6400 is the better option. Its 9.4 percent lead in Geekbench multi-core is the largest margin on this page, and its single-core advantage of 3.4 percent makes it competitive in that suite despite the older architecture. The i5-6400 also has higher clock speeds across the board, which helps in tasks that do not scale with the i5-7400T's memory bandwidth improvements.

The production status matters for new builds. The i5-6400 is end-of-life, while the i5-7400T remains active. That makes the i5-7400T the more sensible choice for anyone assembling a system from current retail stock. The i5-6400's launch MSRP of $182 is a reference point, but the i5-7400T has no such figure in the database. In practical terms, the i5-7400T wins the overall numbers game with 6 benchmark wins out of 8, but the i5-6400's Geekbench performance should not be ignored if the target software resembles that suite. Choose the i5-7400T for rendering and efficiency, choose the i5-6400 for Geekbench-style tasks and higher clocks.