Intel Core i5-8400H

The Intel Core i5-8400H is a mobile processor from the Coffee Lake-H family, built on Intel's 14 nm process with a die size of 126 mm². It is now end-of-life, having been released in April 2018, and it targets the mobile segment with a 45 W TDP. The chip integrates four physical cores with eight threads, base and boost clocks of 2.50 GHz and 4.10 GHz respectively, and a shared 12 MB L3 cache, along with per-core L1 and L2 caches of 64 KB and 256 KB. Its benchmark scores place it in the 47th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 2010, indicating it sits near the midpoint of the performance spectrum for its generation.

Platform and Compatibility

The Intel Core i5-8400H uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket, which is a soldered, non-upgradeable platform. This means the processor is permanently attached to the motherboard, so end-users cannot swap the CPU for a newer or higher-tier model; any upgrade path requires replacing the entire laptop or motherboard assembly. The chip is based on the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-H variant, which is designed for high-performance mobile systems.

Memory support is limited to DDR4, and the processor does not support ECC memory. The memory bus details and memory bandwidth figures are not specified in the available data, but the DDR4 support indicates a mainstream mobile memory configuration. The lack of ECC makes it unsuitable for error-critical server or workstation tasks, but it is typical for consumer and enthusiast mobile platforms. The processor's production status is end-of-life, so new systems using this chip are no longer manufactured, though it may still appear in refurbished or clearance inventory.

The integrated graphics are provided by the UHD 630, which is a capable solution for basic display output and light graphical tasks. The PCIe support details are not listed in the data, so the exact lane count and version cannot be confirmed, but the platform is designed for mobile systems where expansion is typically limited to the built-in slots and ports. The multiplier is not unlocked, meaning the CPU cannot be overclocked through standard multiplier adjustments, further limiting its flexibility for enthusiasts.

Power and Thermals

The Intel Core i5-8400H carries a TDP of 45 W, which classifies it as a high-performance mobile processor. This TDP class is common in gaming laptops and mobile workstations, where sustained performance is prioritized over battery life. A 45 W TDP requires a robust cooling solution, typically involving dual heat pipes and a dedicated cooling fan or fans, as well as adequate chassis ventilation. In thinner laptops, this processor may be paired with a capable air cooler, but the thermal headroom is limited compared to desktop counterparts, and sustained all-core loads may cause the boost clocks to settle lower than the 4.10 GHz maximum.

The 14 nm process node is mature and well-understood, but it is not as efficient as newer nodes, which means power consumption and heat output are higher relative to modern equivalents. The 45 W TDP is a baseline figure, and actual power draw can exceed this during peak turbo operation, especially when both the CPU and integrated UHD 630 graphics are under load. For cooling, a dual-fan design with multiple heat pipes is recommended to maintain stable performance during extended workloads like video encoding or 3D rendering. The data does not specify any thermal throttling behavior, but the 45 W class implies that cooling quality directly impacts sustained benchmark scores, particularly in the multi-threaded tests.

Who Should Consider It

Based on the benchmark data, the Intel Core i5-8400H is best suited for users who need solid multi-core performance in a mobile form factor without requiring top-tier speeds. In Cinebench R23, the processor scores 6422 in multi-core and 906 in single-core, which indicates it can handle moderate content creation tasks like photo editing, light video rendering, and software compilation. The Geekbench scores of 3656 multi-core and 1281 single-core further support its capability for everyday productivity, such as office applications, web browsing, and coding, though it is not a leader in any category.

Gamers on a budget may find this chip adequate for esports titles and older AAA games, especially when paired with a discrete GPU, but its single-core score of 906 in Cinebench R23 places it behind modern chips, so frame rates in CPU-bound scenarios will be lower than newer alternatives. The 47th percentile ranking means it performs better than about half of all CPUs, which is a reasonable baseline for a mid-range mobile processor from its era. Users who prioritize battery life or silent operation should look elsewhere, as the 45 W TDP and required cooling make it more suited to plugged-in, performance-oriented use.

The processor is not recommended for heavy multi-threaded workloads like 4K video editing or complex 3D rendering, as its 4-core/8-thread configuration is outpaced by 6- and 8-core rivals. For office work and general use, however, the 4.10 GHz boost clock ensures responsive single-threaded performance, and the integrated UHD 630 graphics can drive multiple displays without a dedicated GPU, making it a viable option for basic productivity systems.

FAQ

Q: What socket does the Intel Core i5-8400H use?

A: It uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket, which is a soldered mobile platform.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-8400H support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported; the processor only supports DDR4 memory.

Q: What is the TDP of the Intel Core i5-8400H?

A: The TDP is 45 W, which is typical for high-performance mobile processors.

Q: Can the Intel Core i5-8400H be overclocked?

A: No, the multiplier is locked, so the CPU cannot be overclocked.

Q: What integrated graphics does the Intel Core i5-8400H feature?

A: It features the UHD 630 integrated graphics.

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-8400H still in production?

A: No, it is end-of-life and was released in April 2018.

Benchmark Performance

The Intel Core i5-8400H delivers a consistent performance profile across multiple benchmark suites, with its average benchmark score of 2010 placing it just above the midpoint of all CPUs. The nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen Embedded V1807B, which scores 2012, a delta of -0.1%, meaning the i5-8400H is essentially tied with it in overall performance. This close parity suggests the two processors are interchangeable for most workloads, though the AMD part is embedded-focused while the i5 targets mobile laptops.

The Intel Core i5-8279U, with an average score of 2005, is 0.2% slower than the i5-8400H, a negligible difference that would not be perceptible in real-world use. Similarly, the Intel Core i7-7920HQ scores 2004, a 0.3% delta, and the AMD Ryzen 7 2800H scores 2002, a 0.4% delta. These four rivals form a tight cluster, all within 0.5% of each other, indicating that the i5-8400H is a solid mid-range performer with no significant advantage or disadvantage over its immediate competitors.

Looking at specific benchmarks, the Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 6422 is the strongest indicator of sustained all-core performance. In comparison, the single-core R23 score of 906 is relatively modest, showing that the chip relies more on its multi-threaded capabilities than its single-thread speed. The Cinebench R20 results follow a similar pattern: 2697 multi-core and 380 single-core, while R15 shows 647 multi-core and 91 single-core. The Geekbench scores of 3656 multi-core and 1281 single-core are lower than typical desktop parts of the same era, reflecting the thermal and power constraints of a 45 W mobile platform.

The deltaPct values against all four rivals are within ±0.4%, which means the i5-8400H does not lead or trail its competition by any meaningful margin. This tight grouping suggests that the processor's architectural heritage — 14 nm Coffee Lake with 4 cores and 8 threads — is well-matched by similar AMD and Intel parts from the same period. For users upgrading from an older dual-core notebook, the i5-8400H would deliver a substantial improvement, but for those already on a 6-core or 8-core mobile chip, the performance difference would be negligible. The 47th percentile ranking confirms that this is a middle-of-the-pack processor, adequate for mainstream tasks but not a high-performance standout.