Intel Core i5-7400 vs Intel Core i9-9980XE Comparison

The Intel Core i5-7400 and Intel Core i9-9980XE represent two extreme endpoints of the desktop processor spectrum, separated by architecture, core count, and market intent. The data shows a decisive performance hierarchy, with the i9-9980XE dominating every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. However, the magnitude of that dominance varies significantly by workload type, and the i5-7400 retains specific advantages in efficiency and platform simplicity that the raw scores do not capture.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are unambiguous: the Intel Core i9-9980XE wins all eight head-to-head tests, with a perfect 8–0 record. The most striking gaps appear in multi-threaded workloads, where the i9-9980XE’s 18 cores and 36 threads produce scores roughly five to six times higher than the i5-7400’s 4 cores and 4 threads.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i9-9980XE scores 26780 against the i5-7400’s 4658, a delta of -82.6% from the perspective of the i5-7400. That pattern repeats across the entire Cinebench multi-core suite: R15 shows 2699 versus 469, R20 shows 11247 versus 1956, and each carries the same -82.6% delta. The consistency of this percentage across all three Cinebench versions indicates that the performance ratio is stable regardless of the rendering workload’s specific characteristics.

Single-core results tell a different story in relative terms, though the i9-9980XE still wins outright. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i9-9980XE scores 3780 against 657 for the i5-7400, again a -82.6% delta. The identical percentage across single- and multi-core tests is notable—it suggests the i9-9980XE’s advantage is not just about core count but also about per-core efficiency at the tested clock speeds. However, Geekbench single-core shows a much narrower gap: the i9-9980XE scores 1437 against 1043, a delta of only -27.4%. This is the closest result in the entire comparison, indicating that in lighter single-threaded tasks, the i5-7400’s Kaby Lake architecture is relatively competitive.

The Geekbench multi-core test offers a slightly different margin than Cinebench. Here, the i9-9980XE scores 11270 against 2740, a delta of -75.7%. This is less severe than the Cinebench -82.6% figures, suggesting that Geekbench’s multi-core workload scales somewhat differently with thread count or memory bandwidth. The quad-channel memory support of the i9-9980XE, which provides 85.3 GB/s of bandwidth versus 38.4 GB/s for the dual-channel i5-7400, may play a role in this difference.

Across all eight tests, the i9-9980XE’s smallest win is the 27.4% Geekbench single-core margin. Its largest wins are the five Cinebench tests at roughly 82.6%–82.7% deltas. The data shows no benchmark where the i5-7400 comes within striking distance of the i9-9980XE, but the relative gap between single-core and multi-core results provides useful nuance for workload-specific recommendations.

The Verdict

From the benchmark data alone, the Intel Core i9-9980XE is the clear performance choice for any workload that can utilize multiple cores. Its 18 cores and 36 threads deliver 26780 points in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 5.7 times the i5-7400’s 4658. For rendering, video encoding, scientific computing, or any heavily threaded task, the i9-9980XE is categorically superior.

The i5-7400’s case rests on platform characteristics rather than raw performance. It has a TDP of 65 watts against the i9-9980XE’s 165 watts, uses the ubiquitous Intel Socket 1151 instead of the 2066 platform, and includes integrated HD 630 graphics while the i9-9980XE has none. The i5-7400 also remains in active production, while the i9-9980XE is end-of-life. For a system that does not require extreme multi-threading, the i5-7400’s lower power draw and integrated graphics make it a more practical choice, despite its 63rd percentile ranking versus all CPUs—the same percentile as the i9-9980XE.

The average benchmark scores tell a curious story: the i5-7400 has an average score of 7469, slightly higher than the i9-9980XE’s 7398. This is because the i5-7400 has a broader set of PassMark results (including integer math, floating point math, and data compression) that are not present in the i9-9980XE’s benchmark list. Those PassMark scores are modest, but they lift the average. The nearestRivals data confirms that these two processors sit within 1% of each other in average score, with the i5-7400 listed as a rival to the i9-9980XE with a delta of -1%, and the i9-9980XE listed as a rival to the i5-7400 with a delta of 1%. This is a statistical artifact of different benchmark sets, not an indication of comparable performance in any shared workload.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel architectures and generations. The i5-7400 is built on Kaby Lake, a 14 nm process, and belongs to the Core i5 (Kaby Lake) generation. The i9-9980XE is built on Skylake, specifically the Skylake-X codename, also on a 14 nm process, but belongs to the Core i9 Extreme (X-Series 9th Gen) lineage.

Core counts differ dramatically: the i5-7400 has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the i9-9980XE has 18 cores and 36 threads. The i9-9980XE also has a larger die size at 484 mm², though the i5-7400’s die size is not listed in the data. Both processors have the same 64 KB L1 cache per core, but the L2 cache differs: the i5-7400 has 256 KB per core, while the i9-9980XE has 1 MB per core. The L3 cache is 6 MB shared for the i5-7400 versus 24.75 MB shared for the i9-9980XE.

Clock speeds are similar at base: both run at 3.00 GHz. The boost clocks differ, with the i5-7400 reaching 3.50 GHz and the i9-9980XE reaching 4.50 GHz. The i9-9980XE has an unlocked multiplier, while the i5-7400 does not. Memory support is DDR4 for both, but the i5-7400 uses dual-channel with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the i9-9980XE uses quad-channel with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth. Neither supports ECC memory.

PCIe lane counts also differ significantly: the i5-7400 provides 16 CPU lanes on Gen 3, while the i9-9980XE provides 44 lanes on Gen 3. The i5-7400 includes integrated HD 630 graphics; the i9-9980XE has no integrated graphics. The i5-7400 uses Intel Socket 1151, while the i9-9980XE uses Intel Socket 2066.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-9980XE has 18 cores and 36 threads, while the Intel Core i5-7400 has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: How much faster is the i9-9980XE in multi-core rendering?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i9-9980XE scores 26780 versus the i5-7400’s 4658, a delta of -82.6% from the i5-7400’s perspective.

Q: What is the closest benchmark result between the two?

A: The Geekbench single-core test shows the smallest gap, with the i9-9980XE scoring 1437 against the i5-7400’s 1043, a delta of -27.4%.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory configuration?

A: No. The i5-7400 uses dual-channel memory with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the i9-9980XE uses quad-channel memory with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth. Both support DDR4.

Q: Does the i5-7400 have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the i5-7400 includes integrated HD 630 graphics. The i9-9980XE has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The i5-7400 is listed as Active, while the i9-9980XE is listed as End-of-life.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-9980XE wins every benchmark where both processors have results, but the nature of those wins suggests specific use cases. Its 18-core, 36-thread configuration delivers 26780 points in Cinebench R23 multi-core, making it the obvious choice for 3D rendering, video transcoding, compiler workloads, or any parallel computation that can scale beyond 4 threads. The 44 PCIe lanes also support multiple GPUs or high-bandwidth peripherals, and the 85.3 GB/s memory bandwidth from quad-channel DDR4 helps feed those cores in memory-intensive workloads. The 4.50 GHz boost clock and unlocked multiplier give it additional headroom for single-threaded tasks that need short bursts of speed, though its single-core advantage is smaller in percentage terms.

The Intel Core i5-7400 wins in scenarios that are not captured by the head-to-head benchmarks but are evident from the specification data. Its 65-watt TDP means significantly lower power draw than the 165-watt i9-9980XE, making it suitable for compact or power-sensitive builds. The integrated HD 630 graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU in basic display tasks. The Intel Socket 1151 platform is widely compatible with mainstream motherboards, whereas the i9-9980XE requires the 2066 platform. The i5-7400’s active production status also means it remains available for new systems, while the i9-9980XE is end-of-life.

For sheer computational throughput, the i9-9980XE is the only choice between these two. For a low-power, integrated-graphics system with modest thread requirements, the i5-7400 is the more practical option despite its 63rd percentile ranking, which matches the i9-9980XE’s percentile. The data does not support any scenario where the i5-7400 outperforms the i9-9980XE in a shared benchmark, but it does support scenarios where the i5-7400’s platform traits are more desirable.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-7400 | Intel Core i9-9980XE |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 4 | 18 |

| Threads | 4 | 36 |

| Boost Clock | 3.50 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 165 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel Socket 2066 |

| Architecture | Kaby Lake | Skylake-X |

| Generation | Core i5 (Kaby Lake) | Core i9 Extreme (X-Series 9th Gen) |

| Die Size | Not listed | 484 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 24.75 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | 85.3 GB/s |

| PCIe Lanes | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 44 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | HD 630 | None |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $1979 |

Both processors share the same 14 nm process node, 3.00 GHz base clock, DDR4 memory support, lack of ECC memory support, and 64 KB L1 cache per core. The i9-9980XE’s launch MSRP of $1979 reflects its flagship positioning, while the i5-7400’s launch MSRP is not listed in the data. The i9-9980XE also has a larger L2 cache per core and more than four times the L3 cache, which contributes to its benchmark dominance beyond just core count.