Intel Core i5-9400

The Intel Core i5-9400 is a Coffee Lake desktop processor built on Intel's 14 nm process. It has 6 physical cores and 6 threads, with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. The chip uses Intel Socket 1151, supports dual-channel DDR4 memory with 42.7 GB/s of bandwidth, and includes UHD 630 integrated graphics. Its average benchmark score of 2305 places it at the 50th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The processor is end-of-life and does not have an unlocked multiplier.

Who Should Consider It

Users with single-thread-bound workloads should consider the i5-9400 because its Cinebench single-core results sit at the midpoint of the database: 1125 in Cinebench R23, 472 in R20, and 113 in R15. These scores indicate a processor that handles everyday desktop applications without being a standout in lightly threaded tasks. For office productivity, the 6-thread configuration and dual-channel DDR4 support are sufficient for typical multitasking, and the integrated UHD 630 graphics remove the need for a separate display adapter in basic systems.

Gamers building a system around a discrete graphics card will see the i5-9400 as a mainstream choice. The single-core Cinebench scores are the most relevant indicators for lightly threaded game logic, and the 16 PCIe Gen 3 CPU lanes provide the standard interface for expansion. The integrated UHD 630 can drive displays when no discrete GPU is installed, but the benchmark data does not measure gaming frame rates, so the CPU's 50th percentile aggregate position is the main reference point.

Content creation is a mixed recommendation. The multi-core Cinebench scores—7969 in R23, 3346 in R20, and 803 in R15—show a moderately capable rendering processor for shorter tasks. However, the 6-thread count limits scaling in heavily parallel workloads. The shared 9 MB L3 cache and 42.7 GB/s memory bandwidth are the memory subsystem parameters that will define how well creation software runs. This is not a processor aimed at heavy multi-threaded rendering; it is better suited to light to moderate creative work, such as photo editing or video encoding that uses a few cores.

The 6 MB? Wait, L3 is 9 MB. Don't say 6 MB. Need avoid. Use 9 MB. "The 9 MB shared L3 cache" good.

The processor's 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core are typical cache allocations. Those details matter for applications with high per-thread working sets. Overall, the i5-9400 fits a desktop user who needs solid single-core everyday performance, a modest multi-core capability, and integrated graphics in one package.

Power and Thermals

The i5-9400 has a TDP of 65W, which places it in a conventional desktop power class. On Intel's 14 nm process, that TDP implies a modest cooling solution; a capable air cooler is enough for the 6-core, 6-thread configuration with a 4.10 GHz boost clock. The base clock of 2.90 GHz means the processor does not demand an aggressive thermal envelope at idle or low load.

Because the multiplier is locked, there is no official overclocking path. This simplifies thermal design: the cooling solution does not need headroom for user-adjusted voltages or clocks. The integrated UHD 630 also contributes to system simplicity, as a separate GPU is not required for display output in non-gaming builds. The end-of-life production status means the platform is not receiving new designs, but the 65W thermal class remains a common desktop specification.

Benchmark Performance

The average benchmark score of 2305 places the i5-9400 exactly at the 50th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Cinebench results are consistent with that median positioning. In Cinebench R15, the processor scores 803 multi-core and 113 single-core. In Cinebench R20, it scores 3346 multi-core and 472 single-core. In Cinebench R23, it scores 7969 multi-core and 1125 single-core.

The nearest rivals show how tight the performance cluster is around this chip. The Intel Core i3-10305 has an average score of 2300, which is 0.2% behind the i5-9400. The Intel Core i3-1125G4 also has an average score of 2299, also 0.2% behind. The Intel Xeon E-2134 has an average score of 2295, putting it 0.4% behind. The Intel Core i7-8809G has an average score of 2319, giving it a 0.6% lead over the i5-9400.

These deltas are small. The entire nearest-rival group spans average scores from 2295 to 2319, and the i5-9400 sits in the middle of that range. Benchmark results indicate that the i5-9400 is effectively interchangeable with its nearest rivals in aggregate performance. The largest difference in the group is the 0.6% gap to the i7-8809G, which is still a minor margin in real-world terms.

The Cinebench scores also show the balance between single-core and multi-core capability. The single-core scores are not far from the median, and the multi-core scores reflect the 6-thread limit. The aggregate average score of 2305 is the single summary metric used for the percentile ranking, and it places the processor in a crowded midrange band.

FAQ

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-9400 have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes Intel UHD 630 integrated graphics. This allows basic display output without a discrete graphics card.

Q: What memory support does the i5-9400 have?

A: It supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus. The memory bandwidth is 42.7 GB/s. ECC memory is not supported.

Q: Can the i5-9400 be overclocked?

A: No. The multiplier is locked, and the processor is not listed as multiplier unlocked. Its boost clock is 4.10 GHz and its base clock is 2.90 GHz.

Q: What socket does the i5-9400 use?

A: It uses Intel Socket 1151. It is part of the Coffee Lake architecture and is fabricated on Intel's 14 nm process.

Q: How does the i5-9400 compare to the Core i3-10305?

A: The i5-9400 has an average benchmark score of 2305, while the Core i3-10305 has an average score of 2300. That gives the i5-9400 a 0.2% advantage in the database's aggregate metric.

Q: Is the i5-9400 still in production?

A: No. The production status is end-of-life.

How It Compares

Intel Core i3-10305: The i3-10305 is the closest rival by average score. It scores 2300, which is 0.2% lower than the i5-9400's 2305. In practical terms, the two processors are effectively tied in aggregate benchmark performance. The i5-9400's 6-core, 6-thread layout and the i3-10305's measured result belong to the same performance band.

Intel Core i3-1125G4: This rival scores 2299, also 0.2% behind the i5-9400. The aggregate delta is nearly identical to the i3-10305 comparison, placing the i5-9400 slightly ahead but within a negligible margin. The database treats this as a direct rivalry, so the benchmark data does not separate the two meaningfully.

Intel Xeon E-2134: The Xeon E-2134 has an average score of 2295, which is 0.4% behind the i5-9400. This is the largest positive delta in the rival group. Even so, the gap is small enough that the two processors should produce similar results in synthetic aggregate workloads.

Intel Core i7-8809G: This is the only rival in the nearest group with a higher average score. The i7-8809G scores 2319, giving it a 0.6% lead over the i5-9400. The delta is negative for the i5-9400, but the margin remains minor. The i5-9400 is positioned within a tightly packed cluster where no rival, including the i7-8809G, establishes a decisive advantage.