CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-8400 vs Intel Core i5-8400T
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-8400 is a landmark mainstream desktop processor that fundamentally shifted the budget CPU market by bringing six physical cores to the i5 tier for the first time.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Handles office tasks and moderate programming workloads efficiently.
6 cores handle office tasks easily, though single-core is slower.
Gaming
Capable of smooth 1080p gaming when paired with a mid-range discrete GPU.
Can handle light gaming, but low clocks limit high-refresh gaming.
Virtualization
Good for basic VMs, but 6 threads limit heavy parallel virtualization.
Good for 1-2 VMs, but lacks hyper-threading.
Efficiency
Balanced performance within a standard 65W power envelope.
Outstanding efficiency with a 35W TDP.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI-specific hardware
- CPU inference is slow due to lack of threads
- No dedicated AI hardware.
- Low clocks make inference slow.
Content Creation
Gaming
- Excellent for budget gaming builds
- Handles eSports titles flawlessly
- May bottleneck high-end modern GPUs at 1080p
- Low base clock can cause stuttering in CPU-bound games.
- UHD 630 is only good for very light titles.
- Best paired with a low-end discrete GPU if gaming.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Disruptive price-to-performance ratio
- 6 physical cores for modern gaming
- Includes integrated UHD Graphics 630
- Standard 65W TDP is easy to cool
- Wide compatibility with 300-series motherboards
Cons
- No Hyper-Threading (only 6 threads)
- Locked multiplier prevents overclocking
- End-of-life platform (LGA 1151)
- Officially limited to DDR4-2666
- Not supported by Windows 11 officially
Pros
- Extremely low 35W TDP
- 6 cores for parallel tasks
- Runs very cool
- Good for small form factor builds
Cons
- Low base and boost clocks
- Locked multiplier
- No Hyper-Threading
- End-of-life platform
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-8400
- AMD Ryzen 5 1600Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-7500Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- Intel Core i7-7700Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 2400GRival
Mainstream Desktop
Slightly newer generation with marginally higher clocks.
Compare head-to-headNewer platform with 8 threads and similar gaming performance.
Compare head-to-headLow power alternative for SFF builds.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i5-8400T
- AMD Ryzen 5 2400GERival
Low Power Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-8400Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600ERival
Low Power Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-7400TRival
Previous Gen Low Power
- AMD Ryzen 3 2200GERival
Budget Low Power
Slightly faster clocks, same TDP.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 3400GEAlt
Better integrated graphics.
Much faster modern architecture.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600GEAlt
Better efficiency and performance.
Slightly higher clocks if buying used.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A legendary value CPU that forced the market to adopt 6 cores as the standard. Excellent for budget gaming, though lacking Hyper-Threading.
Best for: Upgrading an older LGA 1151 system on a budget, or building an office/HTPC machine.
Read the full reviewA highly efficient 6-core processor perfect for compact builds, though its low clock speeds limit performance compared to the standard 8400.
Best for: Building a quiet home server or retro gaming rig on a budget.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-8400 or Intel Core i5-8400T?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-8400 comes out ahead with a score of 8.5/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-8400 or Intel Core i5-8400T?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-8400 leads with a gaming performance score of 78/100 among Intel Core i5-8400 and Intel Core i5-8400T.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-8400T has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-8400 (65 W), Intel Core i5-8400T (35 W).
Do Intel Core i5-8400 and Intel Core i5-8400T use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-8400: Intel Socket 1151, Intel Core i5-8400T: LGA 1151), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-8400T posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-8400T (8,500). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.