Intel Core i5-9400 vs Intel Core i7-1068NG7 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-1068NG7 and the Intel Core i5-9400 are separated by more than just their socket types; benchmark data reveals a consistent performance hierarchy that defies the traditional core-count expectations. Despite the i5-9400 packing six physical cores against the i7-1068NG7’s four, the mobile-focused i7 chip wins every single head-to-head benchmark recorded. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical—2259 for the i7-1068NG7 versus 2254 for the i5-9400—placing both at the 47th percentile among all CPUs, yet the distribution of performance tells a more nuanced story about architecture efficiency versus raw core count.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the data is the uniformity of the i7-1068NG7’s victory margin. Across all six Cinebench tests, the i7-1068NG7 wins by a deltaPct that hovers tightly between 17% and 17.9%. In the multicore Cinebench R15 test, the i7-1068NG7 scores 787 against the i5-9400’s 668, a 17.8% advantage. This is not a narrow win; it is a decisive, repeatable gap. The same story unfolds in Cinebench R20 multicore, where 3280 versus 2784 yields the same 17.8% delta, and in Cinebench R23 multicore, where 7810 versus 6629 again produces a 17.8% lead.

Single-core results follow the same trajectory, which is particularly telling. The i7-1068NG7 scores 110 in Cinebench R15 single-core versus 94 for the i5-9400, a 17% difference. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the gap widens slightly to 17.9% (462 versus 392), and in Cinebench R23 single-core, it holds at 17.9% (1102 versus 935). The consistency of these deltas—never dipping below 17% and never exceeding 17.9%—suggests a fundamental architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk. The i7-1068NG7’s higher boost clock of 4.10 GHz matches the i5-9400’s boost clock exactly, so the single-core superiority must stem from the newer Ice Lake architecture’s instructions-per-clock efficiency.

What is remarkable is that the i7-1068NG7 achieves these wins despite having fewer cores (4 versus 6) and a lower base clock (2.30 GHz versus 2.90 GHz). The multicore results are the most unexpected: one would expect the six-core i5-9400 to dominate in heavily threaded workloads, yet the four-core i7-1068NG7 with Hyper-Threading (8 threads) pulls ahead by nearly 18% in every multicore test. This implies that the per-core throughput of the Ice Lake architecture more than compensates for the two missing physical cores. The data shows zero benchmark wins for the i5-9400; the i7-1068NG7 claims all six.

FAQ

Q: How much faster is the Intel Core i7-1068NG7 in single-threaded workloads?

A: The i7-1068NG7 leads by 17% in Cinebench R15 single-core (110 versus 94) and by 17.9% in both Cinebench R20 (462 versus 392) and Cinebench R23 (1102 versus 935) single-core tests.

Q: Does the six-core Intel Core i5-9400 beat the four-core i7-1068NG7 in multi-threaded tests?

A: No. The i7-1068NG7 wins every multicore benchmark, including Cinebench R23 multicore with a score of 7810 versus 6629 for the i5-9400, a 17.8% advantage.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between these two CPUs?

A: The i7-1068NG7 has an average benchmark score of 2259, while the i5-9400 scores 2254. The i7-1068NG7 is the nearest rival to the i5-9400 with a deltaPct of 0.2%.

Q: Are these CPUs in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both sit at the 47th percentile among all CPUs, indicating they are directly comparable in overall market positioning despite their architectural differences.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: Neither. Both the i7-1068NG7 and the i5-9400 have a boost clock of 4.10 GHz.

Q: Does the i5-9400 have any benchmark where it wins?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows 6 wins for the i7-1068NG7 and 0 wins for the i5-9400 across all tested Cinebench workloads.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-1068NG7 is the superior performer in every measured workload. Anyone prioritizing raw compute capability should choose the i7-1068NG7, as it delivers a 17.8% multicore advantage and a 17.9% single-core advantage over the i5-9400 in Cinebench R23. The i5-9400’s only redeeming qualities are its six physical cores and higher base clock (2.90 GHz versus 2.30 GHz), but these do not translate into benchmark wins. The i7-1068NG7’s 8 MB of shared L3 cache versus the i5-9400’s 9 MB is a minor difference that does not affect outcomes.

For desktop builders, the i5-9400’s 65W TDP and Socket 1151 might seem more conventional, but the performance data does not favor it. The i7-1068NG7’s 28W TDP and BGA 1344 socket indicate a mobile focus, yet it outperforms the desktop chip decisively. If the workload is Cinebench-based rendering or similar multi-threaded tasks, the i7-1068NG7 is the clear pick. The i5-9400 is only preferable if the user specifically requires a desktop socket or the exact memory bandwidth configuration of 42.7 GB/s, but from a pure performance standpoint, there is no argument for it.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge significantly in core configuration. The i7-1068NG7 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-9400 has 6 cores and 6 threads. This means the i7-1068NG7 supports simultaneous multithreading (Hyper-Threading), while the i5-9400 does not. Base clocks differ: 2.30 GHz for the i7-1068NG7 versus 2.90 GHz for the i5-9400, though both share a 4.10 GHz boost clock. The i7-1068NG7 has a 28W TDP, while the i5-9400 draws 65W. Sockets are incompatible: Intel BGA 1344 for the i7-1068NG7 versus Intel Socket 1151 for the i5-9400.

Cache configurations also differ. The i7-1068NG7 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-9400 has 9 MB. Memory bandwidth favors the i7-1068NG7 at 51.2 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s for the i5-9400, even though both support dual-channel DDR4. The integrated graphics differ as well: Iris Plus on the i7-1068NG7 versus UHD 630 on the i5-9400. The i7-1068NG7 has a launch MSRP of $320; the i5-9400 has no launch MSRP listed. PCIe support is Gen 3 for both, but the i5-9400 specifies 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-1068NG7 simply lists Gen 3. Market segments differ: Mobile for the i7-1068NG7 and Desktop for the i5-9400.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide is foundational. The i7-1068NG7 uses Ice Lake architecture on a 10 nm process node produced by Intel, with a die size of 123 mm². The i5-9400 uses Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm node. The i7-1068NG7’s generation is listed as "Core i7 (Sunny Cove-U)", while the i5-9400 is "Core i5 (Coffee Lake Refresh)". This node shrink from 14 nm to 10 nm likely explains the i7-1068NG7’s superior instructions-per-clock, despite its lower base clock.

Both share the same L1 cache (64 KB per core) and L2 cache (256 KB per core), but the L3 cache differs: 8 MB shared on the i7-1068NG7 versus 9 MB shared on the i5-9400. Neither supports ECC memory. The i7-1068NG7 was released on 2019-07-31, while the i5-9400 launched on 2018-10-18, making the i7-1068NG7 the newer design by roughly nine months. The i7-1068NG7’s part number is SRG0U, and the i5-9400’s is SR3X5. Both are end-of-life production status, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-1068NG7 wins in every benchmark category recorded: single-core and multicore across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. This makes it the definitive choice for workloads that rely on per-thread performance, such as lightly threaded applications, and also for heavily threaded rendering tasks where its 17.8% multicore lead is decisive. The i7-1068NG7 also wins on memory bandwidth, offering 51.2 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s, which benefits memory-intensive computations. Its lower 28W TDP makes it suitable for thermally constrained environments, and its Iris Plus integrated graphics are more capable than the UHD 630 on the i5-9400.

The Intel Core i5-9400 has no benchmark wins, but it does offer advantages in specific non-performance areas. Its 6 physical cores provide more raw core count, which could be relevant for users who prioritize core count over thread count for compatibility reasons. The i5-9400 has a higher base clock of 2.90 GHz, which might appeal to users who prefer sustained base frequency operation. Its 9 MB L3 cache is slightly larger than the i7-1068NG7’s 8 MB. The desktop Socket 1151 is more upgrade-friendly than the mobile BGA 1344, and the 65W TDP, while higher, is typical for desktop platforms. However, in terms of actual compute performance, the i5-9400 cannot claim a single victory, so its value lies purely in platform characteristics rather than benchmark results.