Intel Core i5-9400 vs Intel Core i7-8809G Comparison

The Intel Core i7-8809G and Intel Core i5-9400 are both 14 nm Intel parts with a 65 W TDP, but they target entirely different platforms and design goals. The i7-8809G is a mobile processor with integrated Radeon RX Vega M GH graphics, while the i5-9400 is a desktop chip with UHD 630 graphics. Benchmark results show a clear split: the i7-8809G dominates Cinebench workloads, while the i5-9400 takes the Geekbench multi-core crown. The data reveals that the i7-8809G wins 7 out of 8 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, yet the i5-9400 holds a significant lead in one important multi-threaded test.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking trend across the Cinebench suite is the consistent margin of victory for the Intel Core i7-8809G. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-8809G scores 724 against the i5-9400’s 668, an 8.4% advantage. That same 8.4% delta appears in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i7-8809G posts 3017 versus 2784, and again in Cinebench R23 multi-core with scores of 7185 and 6629, respectively. The consistency of this exact 8.4% gap across three different Cinebench versions indicates a stable architectural advantage in this workload, likely stemming from the i7-8809G’s Hyper-Threading support, which allows its 4 cores to process 8 threads.

Single-core Cinebench results tell a similar story, though with slightly different margins. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the i7-8809G scores 102 versus 94, an 8.5% win. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 425 versus 392, again an 8.4% delta. Cinebench R23 single-core rounds out the sweep with 1014 against 935, another 8.4% margin. The i7-8809G’s higher base clock of 3.10 GHz and boost clock of 4.20 GHz, compared to the i5-9400’s 2.90 GHz base and 4.10 GHz boost, likely contribute to these single-thread wins, though the consistent percentage suggests more than just clock speed at play.

The Geekbench results break the pattern. In Geekbench multi-core, the i5-9400 scores 5141, while the i7-8809G manages only 4590. That is a 10.7% deficit for the i7-8809G, and it is the only benchmark where the i5-9400 comes out ahead. The i5-9400’s two additional physical cores (6 versus 4) give it a clear advantage in this particular test, which appears to scale better with raw core count than with thread count. In Geekbench single-core, the i7-8809G edges out the i5-9400 by a slim 0.9%, scoring 1401 against 1389.

Overall, the average benchmark scores reflect this split. The i7-8809G has an average benchmark score of 2307, placing it in the 48th percentile of all CPUs, while the i5-9400 averages 2254, sitting in the 47th percentile. The i7-8809G’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-10400H (2303, +0.2%) and the AMD Ryzen 7 2700 (2320, -0.6%), showing it is competitive with a wider range of chips. The i5-9400’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-10305 (2264, -0.4%) and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 (2246, +0.4%), placing it in a similar performance tier.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-8809G is the clear winner for Cinebench-style rendering workloads, regardless of whether you are testing multi-core or single-core performance. Its 8.4% lead across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests means that any application using the Cinebench rendering engine will run noticeably faster on the i7-8809G. The same applies to single-threaded Cinebench tasks, where the i7-8809G maintains an 8.4-8.5% edge. This makes the i7-8809G the better choice for CPU rendering, 3D modeling, and any workload that relies heavily on Cinebench-style ray tracing.

The i5-9400’s sole victory comes in Geekbench multi-core, where it beats the i7-8809G by 10.7%. Geekbench’s multi-core test is known to scale well with physical core count, and the i5-9400’s 6 cores versus 4 in the i7-8809G explains this result. For tasks that mimic Geekbench’s workload mix—which includes encryption, image processing, and machine learning-style operations—the i5-9400 will be faster. The i5-9400 also has a larger shared L3 cache at 9 MB versus 8 MB on the i7-8809G, which may help in some data-heavy workloads, though the benchmark data does not isolate this effect.

For single-core tasks outside of Cinebench, the i7-8809G still holds a narrow edge, as shown by its 0.9% win in Geekbench single-core. This is a much smaller margin than the 8.4% Cinebench single-core gap, suggesting that the i7-8809G’s advantage is workload-specific rather than universal. In everyday tasks like web browsing, office applications, and light productivity, the two chips are effectively tied on single-thread performance based on the Geekbench data, with the i7-8809G ahead by less than 1%.

The i7-8809G also wins on platform flexibility for mobile users, as it is a mobile processor with a 65 W TDP and integrated Radeon RX Vega M GH graphics. The i5-9400, by contrast, is a desktop chip with Intel UHD 630 graphics. The i7-8809G’s integrated graphics are significantly more powerful, though the benchmark data does not include GPU-specific tests. For users who need a compact system without a discrete GPU, the i7-8809G offers a clear advantage, while the i5-9400 assumes you will pair it with a dedicated graphics card.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the Intel Core i7-8809G is the faster processor in most scenarios. It wins 7 out of 8 head-to-head comparisons, including every Cinebench test and Geekbench single-core. The consistent 8.4% lead in Cinebench multi-core is substantial and indicates that for rendering workloads, the i7-8809G is the clear choice. Its higher boost clock of 4.20 GHz and Hyper-Threading technology give it an edge that the i5-9400 cannot overcome in these tests.

However, the i5-9400 is not without merit. Its 10.7% win in Geekbench multi-core is a significant margin, and it shows that for workloads that scale with physical cores, the i5-9400’s 6-core design is superior. The i5-9400 also has a higher average benchmark score relative to its nearest rivals; its 2254 average is only 0.4% behind the Intel Core i3-10305, while the i7-8809G’s 2307 average is 0.5% behind the AMD Ryzen 7 2700. Both chips are in the 47-48th percentile of all CPUs, making them comparable in overall performance.

The choice comes down to workload and platform. Users who prioritize Cinebench-style rendering and single-thread performance should pick the i7-8809G. Users who need better Geekbench multi-core performance and are building a desktop system should consider the i5-9400. The i7-8809G’s mobile socket (Intel BGA 2270) and integrated Radeon RX Vega M GH graphics make it suitable for compact laptops or mini PCs, while the i5-9400’s desktop socket (Intel Socket 1151) and end-of-life production status suggest it is a more traditional desktop part. The i7-8809G is still listed as active in production, while the i5-9400 is end-of-life.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher Cinebench R23 multi-core score?

A: The Intel Core i7-8809G scores 7185 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 8.4% higher than the Intel Core i5-9400’s 6629.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-9400 win any benchmark against the i7-8809G?

A: Yes, the i5-9400 wins Geekbench multi-core with a score of 5141, which is 10.7% higher than the i7-8809G’s 4590.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The i7-8809G has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-9400 has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: What is the difference in single-core Geekbench performance?

A: The i7-8809G scores 1401 in Geekbench single-core, which is 0.9% higher than the i5-9400’s 1389.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The i5-9400 has 9 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-8809G has 8 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The i7-8809G is listed as active in production, while the i5-9400 is listed as end-of-life.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on different architectures from Intel. The i7-8809G uses the Kaby Lake architecture, specifically the Kaby Lake G codename, and is part of the Core i7 (Kaby Lake-G) generation. The i5-9400 uses the Coffee Lake architecture, with the Coffee Lake Refresh codename, and is part of the Core i5 (Coffee Lake Refresh) generation. Both are manufactured on Intel’s 14 nm process node and use the same foundry, but the architectural differences are significant.

The most notable architectural difference is the integrated graphics. The i7-8809G features a Radeon RX Vega M GH GPU, which is a discrete-class graphics solution integrated into the package. The i5-9400 features Intel UHD 630 graphics, which is a much more basic integrated solution. This makes the i7-8809G a unique hybrid part, designed for compact systems that need strong graphics without a separate GPU.

Cache configuration also differs. Both chips have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, but the shared L3 cache is larger on the i5-9400 at 9 MB versus 8 MB on the i7-8809G. The i7-8809G compensates with Hyper-Threading, which allows 4 cores to handle 8 threads, while the i5-9400 has 6 cores but no Hyper-Threading, limiting it to 6 threads. The i7-8809G also has a higher base clock (3.10 GHz versus 2.90 GHz) and a higher boost clock (4.20 GHz versus 4.10 GHz).

The market segments are entirely different. The i7-8809G is a mobile processor with an Intel BGA 2270 socket, while the i5-9400 is a desktop processor with an Intel Socket 1151. The i7-8809G was released on 2018-01-31, while the i5-9400 was released later on 2018-10-18. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not supported on either.

Specification Differences

The key specification differences between the two processors are clear from the data. The i7-8809G has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-9400 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The i7-8809G’s base clock is 3.10 GHz compared to the i5-9400’s 2.90 GHz, and its boost clock is 4.20 GHz versus 4.10 GHz. Both have a 65 W TDP, but the i7-8809G uses an Intel BGA 2270 socket, while the i5-9400 uses an Intel Socket 1151.

Memory support differs in specification detail: both support DDR4, but the i5-9400 explicitly lists dual-channel memory with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the i7-8809G’s memory bus and bandwidth are not specified in the data. The i5-9400 also lists PCIe support as Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-8809G’s PCIe configuration is not specified. The i5-9400 has a part number of SR3X5, while the i7-8809G does not have a listed part number.

The integrated graphics are a major differentiator: the i7-8809G has Radeon RX Vega M GH, while the i5-9400 has UHD 630. The i7-8809G’s L3 cache is 8 MB (shared), while the i5-9400’s is 9 MB (shared). The i7-8809G is a mobile processor and remains active in production, while the i5-9400 is a desktop processor that is end-of-life. Neither chip supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.