Intel Core i5-8500T vs Intel Core i5-9400T Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core i5-9400T wins 6 of the 8 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the Intel Core i5-8500T wins 2.

Q: How much faster is the i5-9400T in multi-threaded Cinebench tests?

A: In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5-9400T scores 695 versus 662 for the i5-8500T, a 5% advantage. In Cinebench R20 multicore, the i5-9400T scores 2896 versus 2759, also a 5% advantage. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the margin is 6896 versus 6571, a 4.9% lead.

Q: Where does the i5-8500T outperform the i5-9400T?

A: The i5-8500T wins both Geekbench tests. In Geekbench multicore, it scores 4293 versus 3969 for the i5-9400T, a 7.5% advantage. In Geekbench singlecore, it scores 1187 versus 1152, a 2.9% lead.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread configuration?

A: Yes, both have 6 cores and 6 threads. They also share the same 35W TDP, the same 9 MB shared L3 cache, and the same 64 KB per-core L1 and 256 KB per-core L2 caches.

Q: What are the clock speed differences between the two?

A: The i5-8500T has a higher base clock of 2.10 GHz compared to 1.80 GHz on the i5-9400T. The boost clock is also higher on the i5-8500T at 3.50 GHz versus 3.40 GHz on the i5-9400T.

Q: How do the two compare in overall benchmark standings?

A: The i5-9400T sits at the 47th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 2136. The i5-8500T sits at the 46th percentile, with an average score of 2110. The i5-9400T's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 3 5300U at a deltaPct of 0, while the i5-8500T's nearest rival is the Intel Core i5-8259U at a deltaPct of 0.1.

The Verdict

The data points to a narrow but consistent win for the Intel Core i5-9400T across most rendering-style workloads. It leads in every Cinebench iteration, with margins between 4.3% and 5% depending on the test. This includes both single-core and multi-core variants, meaning the advantage is not limited to one type of workload. For anyone running Cinebench-like tasks, the i5-9400T is the clear pick.

However, the i5-8500T is not without its own territory. Its Geekbench scores are decisively higher, particularly in the multicore test where it leads by 7.5%. This suggests that in certain mixed or integer-heavy workloads, the i5-8500T may pull ahead. The Geekbench single-core lead of 2.9% also indicates slightly better per-thread performance in that specific benchmark suite.

The core counts are identical — both are 6-core, 6-thread parts. The TDP is identical at 35W. The cache hierarchy is identical. The socket is the same. The integrated graphics are the same UHD 630. The process node is the same 14 nm. The memory support and bandwidth are the same. The only meaningful specification differences are the clock speeds and the generation label.

Given the benchmark distribution, the i5-9400T should be the default recommendation for users who prioritize rendering or sustained multi-threaded compute. The i5-8500T makes sense for users whose primary benchmark is Geekbench or whose workload patterns align more closely with that test's methodology. Since both are end-of-life desktop parts, the choice comes down to workload alignment rather than future upgrade potential.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest win for the i5-9400T comes in Cinebench R23 multicore, where it scores 6896 against 6571 for the i5-8500T, a 4.9% margin. This is consistent with the Cinebench R15 multicore result (695 versus 662, 5%) and the Cinebench R20 multicore result (2896 versus 2759, 5%). The pattern is stable across generations of the Cinebench suite, indicating a consistent multi-threaded advantage for the newer part.

The single-core Cinebench results follow the same trend. In Cinebench R15 singlecore, the i5-9400T scores 97 versus 93, a 4.3% lead. In Cinebench R20 singlecore, it scores 408 versus 389, a 4.9% lead. In Cinebench R23 singlecore, it scores 973 versus 927, a 5% lead. The margins are remarkably uniform, which suggests the i5-9400T's advantage is structural rather than workload-specific within the Cinebench suite.

The i5-8500T's wins are just as consistent, though in a different benchmark family. In Geekbench multicore, it scores 4293 versus 3969, a 7.5% margin that is the largest single delta in the entire comparison. In Geekbench singlecore, it scores 1187 versus 1152, a 2.9% margin. The fact that the i5-8500T wins both Geekbench tests despite losing all six Cinebench tests indicates a fundamental difference in how the two benchmark suites treat these processors.

The average benchmark score tells a similar story: the i5-9400T averages 2136, while the i5-8500T averages 2110. That is a difference of 26 points, or roughly 1.2%. The percentile ranks are nearly identical as well, at 47 versus 46. This confirms that the two processors are extremely close overall, with the i5-9400T holding a slight edge in the aggregate.

Specification Differences

The base clock is the most notable specification difference. The i5-8500T runs at 2.10 GHz, while the i5-9400T runs at 1.80 GHz. That is a 300 MHz difference in favor of the i5-8500T. The boost clock also favors the i5-8500T, at 3.50 GHz versus 3.40 GHz for the i5-9400T, a 100 MHz difference.

The generation label differs. The i5-9400T is listed as "Core i5 (Coffee Lake Refresh)," while the i5-8500T is listed as "Core i5 (Coffee Lake)." This reflects a refresh cycle within the same architecture family, not a new microarchitecture.

The release dates differ. The i5-8500T was released on 2018-04-01, while the i5-9400T was released on 2018-08-31. The i5-9400T is thus roughly five months newer. Both are marked as end-of-life production status.

The part numbers differ: the i5-9400T has part number SR3X8, and the i5-8500T has part number SR3XD. These are the only other distinguishing fields in the specification set.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the Coffee Lake architecture and the 14 nm process node, fabricated by Intel. The codename is identical: Coffee Lake. The foundry is identical. There are no differences in transistor count or die size, as those fields are not provided.

The core and thread configuration is identical: 6 cores and 6 threads on both parts. The cache hierarchy matches exactly: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 9 MB of shared L3 cache. There is no vCache3d on either part.

Memory support is the same: DDR4, dual-channel, with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is not supported on either. PCIe is Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU on both. The integrated graphics are UHD 630 on both. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The only architectural distinction is the generation label — Coffee Lake Refresh versus Coffee Lake. This refresh designation does not change the core count, cache sizes, process node, or memory controller. The performance differences observed in the benchmarks must therefore be attributed to the clock speed differences and any minor microarchitectural tweaks that the refresh introduced but which are not documented in the specification pack.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-9400T wins in rendering and sustained compute workloads. Every Cinebench test — R15, R20, and R23, in both single-core and multi-core variants — goes to the i5-9400T. The margins are consistent, ranging from 4.3% to 5%. This makes it the better choice for users running CPU-based rendering, video encoding, or any workload that follows a similar parallel execution pattern.

The i5-8500T wins in Geekbench, which is often used as a proxy for general-purpose desktop performance. The multicore lead of 7.5% is substantial and suggests that in real-world mixed workloads, the i5-8500T may deliver better responsiveness. The single-core lead of 2.9% also gives it an edge in lightly threaded applications that are sensitive to single-thread throughput.

The overall average benchmark scores are close enough that either processor would serve a typical desktop user well. The i5-9400T's 2136 average versus the i5-8500T's 2110 represents a 1.2% aggregate advantage. The percentile ranks differ by only one point (47 versus 46). This is not a lopsided comparison; it is a nuanced one where the benchmark suite dictates the winner.

For a user who knows their workload is Cinebench-like, the i5-9400T is the obvious pick. For a user who values Geekbench performance or whose applications resemble that benchmark's mix, the i5-8500T is the better choice. For anyone in between, the i5-9400T holds a slight aggregate edge and wins more benchmark comparisons overall, so it is the safer default. The i5-8500T's higher base and boost clocks do not translate into wins in the Cinebench family, which is a notable finding given the clock disadvantage of the i5-9400T.