Intel Core i5-7400

The Intel Core i5-7400 is a 4-core, 4-thread desktop processor from Intel’s Kaby Lake architecture, built on a 14 nm process. It operates with a 3.00 GHz base clock and a 3.50 GHz boost clock, paired with 6 MB of shared L3 cache and a dual-channel DDR4 memory bus. Its average benchmark score of 8125 places it at the 68th percentile of all CPUs, indicating a solid mid-pack position for its generation.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data reveals a processor that is firmly anchored in the upper-mid range of performance, with scores that reflect its 4-core/4-thread configuration. In Cinebench R23, the i5-7400 achieves a multicore score of 4653 and a single-core score of 657. The single-core result is notably strong relative to its multicore output, suggesting that the Kaby Lake architecture handles lightly-threaded tasks efficiently, while the multicore score shows the limitations of having only four threads in heavily parallel workloads.

Cinebench R20 results continue this pattern, with a multicore score of 1954 and a single-core score of 275. The ratio between these scores (roughly 7.1:1) is typical for a quad-core part without Hyper-Threading, meaning that scaling beyond four threads yields no additional benefit. The older Cinebench R15 scores of 468 (multicore) and 66 (single-core) are consistent with this profile, showing a linear relationship between the two.

PassMark results provide a broader view of workload-specific performance. The data compression score of 76268 is a standout, indicating that the processor handles compression algorithms with relative efficiency. In contrast, the find prime numbers score of 27 is exceptionally low, highlighting a significant weakness in integer-heavy, latency-sensitive workloads. The integer math score of 14293 and floating point math score of 12042 are moderate for a quad-core chip, while the extended instructions score of 6452 suggests decent SIMD throughput. The multithread score of 5475 and single-thread score of 2074 align with the overall average, reinforcing the processor’s balanced but unexceptional profile.

The data shows that the i5-7400 is not a performance leader in any category, but it delivers consistent, predictable results. Its strength lies in single-threaded responsiveness and tasks that do not scale beyond four cores. In multicore benchmarks, the lack of additional threads caps its ceiling, making it a capable but not competitive option for modern heavily-threaded applications.

How It Compares

Against the AMD EPYC 7302, the i5-7400 trails by a negligible 0.2% in average score (8125 vs 8139). This is a striking comparison, as the EPYC 7302 is a server-class chip with vastly more cores; the near-parity in average score reflects that the benchmark suite used here may not fully exercise the EPYC’s parallel capabilities, or that the i5-7400’s higher single-thread efficiency compensates in certain tests. The delta is within noise, so the two are effectively tied in this aggregate metric.

The Intel Xeon Gold 5318Y sits just ahead, with a 0.3% higher average score (8147 vs 8125). Again, this is a server processor facing a desktop quad-core, and the tiny delta underscores how the average score can obscure massive architectural differences. In real-world server workloads, the Xeon would dominate, but in the specific benchmarks represented here, the i5-7400 holds its ground, making the comparison more about benchmark composition than raw capability.

The Intel Core i7-13700E is the closest modern rival, with a delta of -0.6% (8170 vs 8125), meaning the i5-7400 is actually 0.6% behind the i7-13700E. This is surprising given the generational gap; however, the i7-13700E’s score likely reflects its efficiency cores and hybrid architecture, which may not scale perfectly in all tests. The i5-7400’s simpler 4-core design can be more consistent in certain single-threaded or latency-bound tasks, narrowing the gap to a negligible margin.

The Intel Core i5-4570 is the only rival that the i5-7400 clearly beats, with a 0.9% higher average score (8125 vs 8050). This older Haswell part (from roughly three generations prior) shows the expected generational improvement, but the small delta indicates that IPC gains from Haswell to Kaby Lake were modest. The i5-7400’s advantage is real but not transformative, suggesting that users upgrading from an i5-4570 would see only a slight bump in aggregate performance.

Who Should Consider It

For gaming, the i5-7400 is a workable option for titles that rely on single-threaded performance. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 657 and PassMark single-thread score of 2074 indicate that it can handle older or less demanding games without issue. However, modern titles increasingly use more than four threads, and the 4-thread limit will cause stuttering or reduced frame rates in CPU-intensive scenes. The data shows it is not a future-proof choice for gaming, but it remains viable for esports or older AAA titles.

For content creation, this processor is a poor fit for multicore-heavy workloads like video rendering or 3D modeling. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 4653 is modest, and the PassMark multithread score of 5475 confirms that parallel scaling is limited. The high data compression score of 76268 does suggest some utility in file archiving or compression tasks, but for rendering, compiling, or heavy batch processing, a processor with more threads would be significantly faster. Users in this category should look elsewhere.

For office and general productivity, the i5-7400 is well-suited. The single-thread performance is adequate for web browsing, document editing, and spreadsheet work, and the 65W TDP implies low power draw, which is desirable for office PCs. The PassMark data encryption score of 1611 is modest, but for typical office workloads that do not involve heavy encryption or scientific computing, the processor provides a smooth experience. The 68th percentile ranking means it outperforms a majority of CPUs in general-purpose tasks, making it a reasonable choice for everyday computing.

FAQ

Q: How does the Intel Core i5-7400 perform in single-threaded tasks?

A: The processor scores 657 in Cinebench R23 single-core and 2074 in PassMark single-thread, indicating solid single-threaded performance that is competitive with much newer processors, as shown by its 0.6% gap to the Intel Core i7-13700E.

Q: Is the i5-7400 suitable for modern gaming?

A: It can handle games that rely on single-thread performance, but its 4-thread limit (Cinebench R23 multicore score of 4653) will bottleneck newer titles that scale beyond four threads, potentially causing reduced frame rates in CPU-heavy scenes.

Q: What is the TDP and what cooling does it require?

A: The TDP is 65W, which is a low-power class. This implies that a modest air cooler is sufficient; no high-end liquid cooling is necessary, and even stock coolers may be adequate depending on case airflow.

Q: Does the processor support overclocking?

A: No, the multiplier is locked (multiplierUnlocked: false), so users cannot adjust the clock speed beyond the 3.50 GHz boost. Performance is fixed at factory specifications.

Q: What memory and expansion does it support?

A: It supports dual-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, and provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU. ECC memory is not supported.

Q: How does it compare to the older Intel Core i5-4570?

A: The i5-7400 is 0.9% faster in average benchmark score (8125 vs 8050), a modest but consistent improvement across most tests, reflecting the IPC gains from Haswell to Kaby Lake.

Power and Thermals

The Intel Core i5-7400 carries a 65W TDP, which places it in the mainstream power class for desktop processors. This is a relatively low figure for a quad-core part, indicating that power consumption is not a concern for most users. The low TDP means that thermal management is straightforward: a standard air cooler with a 92mm or 120mm fan is more than sufficient to keep temperatures in check under sustained load. The processor does not require high-end cooling solutions like 240mm or 360mm liquid coolers, which are typically reserved for higher-TDP parts.

The 14 nm process node from Intel contributes to this efficiency, as does the Kaby Lake architecture’s maturity. The base clock of 3.00 GHz and boost clock of 3.50 GHz are moderate, so even at full boost, the thermal load remains modest. In systems with poor case airflow, the i5-7400 will still operate within safe limits, though a basic aftermarket cooler would provide lower noise levels and better headroom for ambient temperature variations. For office or home builds, the 65W TDP allows for compact cases and smaller power supplies, further simplifying system integration. The data shows no thermal throttling risk under normal conditions, making it a low-stress component for system builders.