CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-7400T vs Intel Core i5-7500
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-7400T is a low-power quad-core desktop processor from Intel's 7th Generation Kaby Lake lineup. Designed for small form factor (SFF) PCs, mini-PCs, and AIO systems, it operates with a strict 35W TDP. Unlike standard desktop processors, it lacks Hyper-Threading, featuring 4 cores and 4 threads. It operates at a base clock of 2.4 GHz and boosts up to 3.0 GHz, providing adequate performance for everyday office tasks, web browsing, and media consumption. With 6MB of L3 cache, it efficiently handles bursty workloads. The integrated Intel HD 630 graphics support 4K video playback and basic display outputs, making it suitable for HTPC (Home Theater PC) builds. While its performance is limited by the lack of Hyper-Threading and low clocks, its low power consumption allows for fanless or quiet cooling solutions, making it an ideal choice for space-constrained environments where silence and efficiency are prioritized over raw computing power.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Good for office suites, but 4 threads limit heavy multitasking.
Snappy for everyday office work but struggles with heavy rendering due to 4 threads.
Gaming
Not suitable for modern gaming; HD 630 is too weak.
Adequate for older games but bottlenecks modern GPUs in CPU-heavy titles.
Virtualization
Lacks Hyper-Threading, making it poor for running multiple VMs.
Limited by core count for running multiple VMs.
Efficiency
Excellent power efficiency with a strict 35W TDP.
65W TDP offers a good balance of power and heat.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration
- Low core count limits compute performance
- No AI acceleration hardware
- Inadequate for local AI model execution
Content Creation
Gaming
- Uses Intel HD 630 graphics
- Only capable of very old or simple 2D games
- No dedicated graphics hardware
- Bottlenecks modern GPUs in CPU-intensive games
- Suitable for 60fps gaming with older mid-range GPUs
- Lacks the threads needed for modern AAA titles
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Very low 35W TDP for silent operation
- Good for basic office and media tasks
- Compatible with LGA 1151 motherboards
- Affordable on the used market
Cons
- Lacks Hyper-Threading (only 4 threads)
- Low clock speeds limit performance
- Weak integrated graphics
- Platform is end-of-life
Pros
- Good single-thread performance
- 65W TDP is easy to cool
- Hardware video decoding
- Solid choice for legacy budget gaming
- Affordable used
Cons
- Only 4 cores and 4 threads
- Locked multiplier
- Bottlenecks modern mid-range GPUs
- No official Windows 11 support
- Outdated PCIe Gen 3
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-7400T
- AMD Ryzen 3 1300XRival
Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 3 2200GRival
Desktop
- Intel Core i5-6400TRival
Desktop (Low Power)
- Intel Core i3-7100Rival
Desktop
- AMD A10-9700Rival
Desktop
More cores and better efficiency.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 3400GEAlt
Better integrated graphics and SMT.
- Intel Core i3-10100TAlt
Hyper-Threading and higher clocks for similar power.
- Intel N100Alt
Modern low-power alternative with better efficiency.
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200GEAlt
Budget low-power alternative with Vega graphics.
Intel Core i5-7500
- AMD Ryzen 5 1500XRival
Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 1400Rival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-7400Rival
Desktop
- Intel Core i3-7350KRival
Desktop
- AMD FX-8370Rival
Desktop
Successor with 6 cores, offering much better modern gaming performance.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 1600Alt
Contemporary AMD alternative with 6 cores and 12 threads.
A cheap modern alternative with 6 cores and 12 threads.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Alt
A vastly superior modern CPU for a similar price.
A modern budget CPU that outperforms it in every way.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A reliable low-power desktop CPU for basic tasks and SFF builds, but lacks Hyper-Threading and modern performance features.
Best for: Building a retro or extremely low-power silent PC for basic web browsing.
Read the full reviewA step up from the i5-7400, offering better clocks, but the 4-core/4-thread limitation makes it obsolete for modern heavy multitasking and gaming.
Best for: Upgrading an older LGA 1151 system on a strict budget.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-7400T or Intel Core i5-7500?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-7500 leads with a gaming performance score of 50/100 among Intel Core i5-7400T and Intel Core i5-7500.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-7400T has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-7400T (35 W), Intel Core i5-7500 (65 W).
Do Intel Core i5-7400T and Intel Core i5-7500 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-7400T: LGA 1151, Intel Core i5-7500: Intel Socket 1151), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-7500 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-7400T (4,900), Intel Core i5-7500 (5,600). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.