Intel Core i5-7400 vs Intel Core i9-10980XE Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data leaves no ambiguity about the workload split between these two processors. The Intel Core i9-10980XE wins all eight recorded head-to-head tests, covering both multicore and singlecore workloads. The Intel Core i5-7400 does not win a single recorded comparison. The i9-10980XE's advantage is largest in heavily threaded workloads, where its 18 cores and 36 threads dominate, but the single-core gap is also substantial, not merely a formality.

Looking at the use-case split, the i9-10980XE is clearly positioned for content creation, rendering, compiling, and any workload that scales with core count. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 27130 versus 4658 shows a 482.4% advantage, meaning the i9-10980XE completes multithreaded render tasks in a fraction of the time. The i5-7400, with four cores and four threads, is better suited to basic desktop tasks, though even in single-threaded performance it trails significantly. The Geekbench singlecore score of 1453 for the i9-10980XE versus 1043 for the i5-7400 represents a 39.3% lead, which is notable for a processor with far more cores, indicating the i9-10980XE does not sacrifice single-core capability to achieve its multicore dominance.

The percentile data places both processors in similar overall standing, with the i9-10980XE at the 64th percentile and the i5-7400 at the 63rd percentile among all CPUs. This is surprising given the massive benchmark deltas, but it reflects the fact that the database includes many high-end server and workstation parts that push the i9-10980XE down from the top. The i5-7400's percentile is likely buoyed by its efficiency and the large number of lower-performing CPUs in the database. The average benchmark score of 7910 for the i9-10980XE versus 7469 for the i5-7400 is a much narrower gap than the individual tests suggest, again because the averaging includes workloads where the i5-7400 has dedicated PassMark results that the i9-10980XE lacks.

The i5-7400 does have additional PassMark tests recorded, including data compression at 76268, data encryption at 1611, extended instructions at 6452, prime numbers at 27, floating point math at 12042, integer math at 14293, multithread at 5475, physics at 438, random string sorting at 9301, and single thread at 2074. These are not present for the i9-10980XE in the database, so direct comparisons in those specific tests are not possible. However, the tests that do overlap all favor the i9-10980XE by a wide margin.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel families and different eras of design. The i9-10980XE is built on Cascade Lake, specifically the Cascade Lake-X codename, and belongs to the Core i9 Extreme X-Series 10th Gen generation. The i5-7400 uses Kaby Lake architecture and belongs to the Core i5 Kaby Lake generation. Both are manufactured on the same 14 nm process node at Intel's foundry, which is where the architectural similarities end.

The core and thread counts represent the most fundamental architectural divergence. The i9-10980XE offers 18 cores and 36 threads, while the i5-7400 offers four cores and four threads, with no Hyper-Threading. This means the i9-10980XE can process nine times as many threads simultaneously, which explains the near-consistent 482% multicore deltas across all Cinebench versions. The cache hierarchy also differs substantially. The i9-10980XE has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 24.75 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-7400 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The i9-10980XE's L2 cache is four times larger per core, and its L3 cache is over four times larger in total.

Memory architecture further separates the two. The i9-10980XE supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 93.9 GB/s, while the i5-7400 supports dual-channel DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s. This 55.5 GB/s difference in theoretical memory bandwidth matters for memory-intensive workloads like large dataset processing and high-resolution video editing. The PCIe configuration also differs, with the i9-10980XE providing Gen 3 with 48 lanes from the CPU, while the i5-7400 offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes. This gives the i9-10980XE significantly more expansion capability for multiple GPUs or NVMe storage devices.

The i5-7400 includes integrated graphics in the form of HD 630, while the i9-10980XE has no integrated graphics listed. This means the i5-7400 can run a basic display without a discrete GPU, while the i9-10980XE requires a dedicated graphics card. The i9-10980XE has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, while the i5-7400 is locked. The sockets differ as well: the i9-10980XE uses Intel Socket 2066, and the i5-7400 uses Intel Socket 1151, so they are not interchangeable in a motherboard.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The eight head-to-head benchmark results paint a consistent picture, but the magnitude varies by test type. Starting with Cinebench R15, the i9-10980XE scores 2734 in multicore versus 469 for the i5-7400, a 482.9% delta. In singlecore, the i9-10980XE scores 385 versus 66, a 483.3% delta. The single-core delta is nearly identical to the multicore delta, which is unusual and suggests the i5-7400's single-core performance is disproportionately low for its generation. The R15 singlecore score of 66 is remarkably low, likely reflecting the test's age and the i5-7400's modest boost clock of 3.50 GHz.

Cinebench R20 follows the same pattern. Multicore shows 11394 for the i9-10980XE versus 1956 for the i5-7400, a 482.5% delta. Singlecore shows 1608 versus 275, a 484.7% delta, the largest percentage gap in the entire comparison. Cinebench R23 multicore shows 27130 versus 4658, a 482.4% delta, and singlecore shows 3830 versus 657, a 483% delta. The consistency of these deltas, all hovering around 482-485%, indicates the performance ratio is stable across Cinebench versions, which is expected given that the same architectural differences apply regardless of the specific benchmark revision.

Geekbench tells a slightly different story. The multicore score shows 14742 for the i9-10980XE versus 2740 for the i5-7400, a 438% delta. This is lower than the Cinebench deltas, suggesting Geekbench's multicore workload does not scale as well with core count, or that the i5-7400's four cores are relatively more efficient in this test. The singlecore score shows 1453 versus 1043, a 39.3% delta. This is the smallest gap in the entire set, and it reflects the fact that single-core performance is more dependent on clock speed and IPC than core count. The i9-10980XE boosts to 4.80 GHz, while the i5-7400 boosts to 3.50 GHz, so the i9-10980XE's 37% higher boost clock largely explains this 39.3% lead, with a small IPC advantage from the newer architecture.

The i9-10980XE wins all eight tests, with deltas ranging from 39.3% to 484.7%. The average delta across all tests, weighted by the number of tests, is far more than double the i5-7400's score. The data indicates that the i9-10980XE is not merely faster in a few workloads; it is faster in every measured category, including the single-core tests where the i5-7400 might have been expected to compete more closely given its lower core count.

Specification Differences

The specification table shows several fields where the two processors differ, and these differences align directly with the benchmark results. The core count differs by 14 cores, with the i9-10980XE at 18 and the i5-7400 at 4. The thread count differs by 32 threads, with 36 versus 4. The base clock is identical at 3.00 GHz for both, but the boost clock differs by 1.30 GHz, with the i9-10980XE reaching 4.80 GHz and the i5-7400 reaching 3.50 GHz. The TDP differs by 100 watts, with the i9-10980XE at 165 W and the i5-7400 at 65 W, reflecting the much larger core count and higher power delivery requirements.

The L2 cache differs per core, with the i9-10980XE offering 1 MB per core versus 256 KB per core for the i5-7400. The L3 cache differs in total, with 24.75 MB shared for the i9-10980XE versus 6 MB shared for the i5-7400. Memory bandwidth differs by 55.5 GB/s, with 93.9 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s. The memory bus width differs, with quad-channel support for the i9-10980XE and dual-channel for the i5-7400. PCIe lanes differ by 32 lanes, with 48 lanes for the i9-10980XE and 16 for the i5-7400.

The production status differs, with the i9-10980XE marked as end-of-life and the i5-7400 marked as active. The release dates differ by nearly three years, with the i9-10980XE released on 2019-10-18 and the i5-7400 released on 2017-01-02. The i9-10980XE has a launch MSRP of $1076, while the i5-7400 has no launch MSRP recorded. The multiplier unlock status differs, with the i9-10980XE unlocked and the i5-7400 locked. The i5-7400 includes integrated graphics (HD 630), while the i9-10980XE does not. The part numbers differ: SRGSG for the i9-10980XE and SR32W for the i5-7400.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-10980XE has 18 cores and 36 threads, while the Intel Core i5-7400 has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: How large is the performance gap in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The i9-10980XE scores 27130, and the i5-7400 scores 4658, giving the i9-10980XE a 482.4% advantage.

Q: Is the i5-7400 competitive in single-core performance?

A: No, the i9-10980XE leads by 39.3% in Geekbench singlecore, with scores of 1453 versus 1043.

Q: Do both processors use the same memory architecture?

A: No, the i9-10980XE supports quad-channel DDR4 with 93.9 GB/s bandwidth, while the i5-7400 supports dual-channel DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s.

Q: Does the i5-7400 have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the i5-7400 includes HD 630 integrated graphics, while the i9-10980XE has no integrated graphics listed.

Q: What is the release date difference between the two?

A: The i9-10980XE was released on 2019-10-18, and the i5-7400 was released on 2017-01-02, a gap of about two years and nine months.

The Verdict

The data directs a clear choice based on workload requirements. For users who need maximum multithreaded performance, the Intel Core i9-10980XE is the only option between these two. Its 482.4% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore and 438% lead in Geekbench multicore translate to dramatically faster rendering, compiling, and encoding times. The 18 cores and 36 threads, combined with quad-channel memory at 93.9 GB/s and 48 PCIe lanes, make it suited for workstation-class tasks. The unlocked multiplier adds flexibility for users who want to push performance further, and the 4.80 GHz boost clock ensures single-core workloads are not neglected, as shown by the 39.3% Geekbench singlecore lead.

For users with modest computing needs, the Intel Core i5-7400 remains a functional choice. Its 65 W TDP, integrated HD 630 graphics, and active production status make it a simpler, lower-power option for basic desktop use. The lack of a recorded launch MSRP means pricing comparisons are not possible from the data, but the i5-7400's lower core count and older architecture suggest it targets a different market segment entirely. Its 63rd percentile ranking versus the i9-10980XE's 64th percentile shows that, in the broader CPU landscape, both processors sit at similar overall performance tiers when averaged across all database benchmarks, but this is misleading for specific workloads.

The i9-10980XE's nearest rivals in the database include the AMD EPYC 7551P at a 0.5% lower average score, the Intel Core i7-13700E at 0.6% lower, the Intel Xeon Gold 6326 at 2% lower, and the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX at 2.2% higher. The i5-7400's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-4570 at 0.6% higher, the Intel Core i9-9990XE at 0.7% higher, the AMD EPYC 7282 at 0.8% higher, and the Intel Core i9-9980XE at 1% higher. These rival comparisons reinforce that the i9-10980XE competes in the high-end desktop and workstation space, while the i5-7400 sits among older mainstream processors. The verdict from the recorded data: the i9-10980XE wins every overlapping benchmark, and the i5-7400 should only be selected when its lower power draw, integrated graphics, or active production status are the deciding factors.