Intel Core i5-7400 vs Intel Core i9-9990XE Comparison

The Intel Core i5-7400 and Intel Core i9-9990XE represent opposite ends of the desktop spectrum, yet they land within 0.7% of each other in average benchmark score. The i5-7400 is a 4-core, 4-thread Kaby Lake part on Socket 1151 with a 3.00 GHz base and 3.50 GHz boost clock. The i9-9990XE is a 14-core, 28-thread Skylake-X flagship on Socket 2066 with a 4.00 GHz base and 5.10 GHz boost clock. Benchmark results show the i9-9990XE winning all six head-to-head comparisons, with Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 25637 versus 4658 for the i5-7400, an 81.8% gap. However, the i5-7400 posts a higher average benchmark score of 7469 against 7415 for the i9-9990XE, driven by its passmark results where it leads in integer math (14293 vs no data) and floating point math (12042 vs no data). The i9-9990XE's launch MSRP is $2800, while the i5-7400 has no launch MSRP listed. Both CPUs sit at the 63rd percentile versus all CPUs, making them statistical equals in broader rankings despite their architectural chasm.

The Verdict

The data dictates a clear split: the Intel Core i9-9990XE is for workloads that scale with cores and threads, while the Intel Core i5-7400 is for legacy single-threaded tasks where its lower power draw and simpler platform matter. The i9-9990XE dominates every Cinebench test, with R15 multi-core at 2584 versus 469 for the i5-7400, an 81.8% advantage. Its R23 single-core score of 3619 versus 657 represents an 81.8% lead, showing it also wins single-threaded rendering despite the i5-7400's higher base clock efficiency per watt. The i5-7400 counters with passmark wins in data compression (76268), extended instructions (6452), prime number finding (27), integer math (14293), floating point math (12042), multithread (5475), physics (438), random string sorting (9301), and single-thread (2074) — all scores the i9-9990XE lacks in the data set. Pick the i9-9990XE for rendering, encoding, or any threaded workload where its 14 cores and 28 threads shine. Pick the i5-7400 for a compact, 65W desktop system with integrated HD 630 graphics, where its passmark single-thread score of 2074 matches or beats many modern parts. The i9-9990XE is end-of-life, while the i5-7400 remains active, so availability favors the smaller chip. The i9-9990XE's unlocked multiplier invites overclocking, but its 255W TDP demands serious cooling. The i5-7400's locked multiplier keeps things simple and predictable.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs share the same 14 nm process node from Intel, but their architectures diverge sharply. The i5-7400 uses Kaby Lake, a mainstream design with 4 cores and 4 threads, while the i9-9990XE uses Skylake-X, a high-end desktop design with 14 cores and 28 threads. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, but the L2 cache differs: the i5-7400 has 256 KB per core, while the i9-9990XE has 1 MB per core. The L3 cache also differs significantly: the i5-7400 has 6 MB shared, while the i9-9990XE has 19.25 MB shared. The i5-7400 integrates HD 630 graphics, while the i9-9990XE has no integrated graphics. Memory support is DDR4 for both, but the i5-7400 uses a dual-channel bus with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the i9-9990XE uses a quad-channel bus with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth. Neither supports ECC memory. PCIe lanes differ: the i5-7400 provides Gen 3, 16 lanes from the CPU, while the i9-9990XE provides Gen 3, 44 lanes. The i5-7400's base clock is 3.00 GHz with a 3.50 GHz boost, while the i9-9990XE's base clock is 4.00 GHz with a 5.10 GHz boost. The i5-7400 has a 65W TDP, the i9-9990XE a 255W TDP. The i5-7400 is locked, the i9-9990XE is unlocked. The i5-7400 launched in January 2017, the i9-9990XE in October 2018.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has better single-core performance in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i9-9990XE wins with a score of 3619 versus 657 for the Intel Core i5-7400, an 81.8% delta. Despite the i5-7400's lower boost clock of 3.50 GHz versus 5.10 GHz, the gap is stark and consistent across all Cinebench versions.

Q: Why does the i5-7400 have a higher average benchmark score than the i9-9990XE?

A: The i5-7400 scores 7469 average versus 7415 for the i9-9990XE, a 0.7% difference. This is because the i5-7400 has passmark results for data compression (76268), integer math (14293), and floating point math (12042), while the i9-9990XE lacks passmark scores entirely, only having Cinebench data.

Q: Is the i9-9990XE worth its higher TDP for multi-threaded tasks?

A: Yes, the data shows the i9-9990XE is 81.8% ahead in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests. It scores 2584 in R15 multi-core versus 469 for the i5-7400, and 10767 in R20 multi-core versus 1956. The 255W TDP is the cost of that performance.

Q: Can the i5-7400 handle gaming with its integrated graphics?

A: The i5-7400 includes HD 630 integrated graphics, which the i9-9990XE lacks entirely. The i5-7400's passmark single-thread score of 2074 suggests capable CPU performance for older titles, but the data does not include gaming benchmarks.

Q: Which CPU has more memory bandwidth?

A: The i9-9990XE has 85.3 GB/s via quad-channel memory, versus 38.4 GB/s for the i5-7400 via dual-channel. This is a 2.2x difference in theoretical bandwidth, favoring the i9-9990XE for memory-intensive workloads.

Q: What is the production status of each CPU?

A: The i5-7400 is listed as Active, while the i9-9990XE is End-of-life. The i9-9990XE also has a launch MSRP of $2800, while the i5-7400 has no launch MSRP in the data.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-7400 | Intel Core i9-9990XE |

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

| Cores | 4 | 14 |

| Threads | 4 | 28 |

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.50 GHz | 5.10 GHz |

| TDP | 65W | 255W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel Socket 2066 |

| Architecture | Kaby Lake | Skylake-X |

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

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 19.25 MB (shared) |

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

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

| PCIe Lanes | Gen 3, 16 Lanes | Gen 3, 44 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | HD 630 | None |

| Multiplier | Locked | Unlocked |

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

| Release Date | 2017-01-02 | 2018-10-18 |

| Part Number | SR32W | SREZA |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a complete sweep for the i9-9990XE across all six Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i9-9990XE scores 2584 against the i5-7400's 469, an 81.8% delta. The single-core R15 result is similarly lopsided: 364 versus 66, also 81.9% in favor of the i9-9990XE. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core score is 10767 versus 1956, an 81.8% gap, while single-core is 1519 versus 275, an 81.9% gap. Cinebench R23 continues the pattern: multi-core is 25637 versus 4658 (81.8% delta), and single-core is 3619 versus 657 (81.8% delta). These deltas are remarkably consistent, hovering around 81.8-81.9% across every test, which suggests the performance difference is structural rather than workload-dependent. The i5-7400's passmark results are not part of the head-to-head comparison, but they appear in its individual benchmark list: 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. The i9-9990XE has no passmark scores in the data, so cross-suite comparisons are impossible. The wins are unambiguous: the i9-9990XE wins all six head-to-head tests, while the i5-7400 wins zero.

Where Each One Wins

The i9-9990XE wins every rendering benchmark in the data set, making it the clear choice for 3D rendering, video encoding, and any workload that scales with core count. Its 14 cores and 28 threads deliver an 81.8% advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is a direct proxy for threaded production work. The quad-channel memory bus with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth further strengthens its position in memory-heavy tasks. The unlocked multiplier allows overclocking beyond the 5.10 GHz boost clock, which is already 1.6 GHz higher than the i5-7400's peak. The 44 PCIe lanes support multiple GPUs or high-speed storage arrays, making it a workstation-class part. The i5-7400 wins in power efficiency, with a 65W TDP versus 255W, enabling smaller form factor builds with less cooling. Its integrated HD 630 graphics provides display output without a discrete GPU, which the i9-9990XE cannot do. The i5-7400's passmark scores show strengths in data compression (76268), integer math (14293), and floating point math (12042), indicating solid performance in office productivity, spreadsheet calculations, and light data processing. Its active production status means it remains available for budget-conscious system builders, while the i9-9990XE is end-of-life. For single-threaded legacy applications, the i5-7400's passmark single-thread score of 2074 holds up well, though the i9-9990XE's Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3619 is far higher. The i5-7400 also wins on platform simplicity: Socket 1151 motherboards are more common and cheaper than Socket 2066 boards, though price data is not provided. Ultimately, the i9-9990XE is for users who need maximum thread throughput and can handle its power and cooling demands, while the i5-7400 suits users who value efficiency, integrated graphics, and a mature ecosystem.