CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-8400T vs Intel Core i3-8300T
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-8400T is a low-power desktop processor belonging to the 8th generation Coffee Lake family. Released in April 2018, it is built on the 14nm process and features 6 cores and 6 threads. Unlike the standard i5-8400, the 'T' suffix denotes a reduced 35W TDP, making it ideal for small form factor (SFF) PCs and home theater setups. The base clock is set at 1.7 GHz, with a maximum turbo boost of 3.3 GHz. It includes 9 MB of Intel Smart Cache and supports dual-channel DDR4 memory up to 2666 MT/s. The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 handles basic display tasks. With 16 PCIe 3.0 lanes, it provides adequate expansion options. The i5-8400T is compatible with LGA 1151 sockets, though it requires 300-series chipsets for official support, offering a balance of efficiency and multi-core capability.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
6 cores handle office tasks easily, though single-core is slower.
The larger cache makes desktop interactions and application loading feel slightly snappier than the 6MB 8100T.
Gaming
Can handle light gaming, but low clocks limit high-refresh gaming.
The 8MB cache helps slightly, but the lack of Turbo Boost and Hyper-Threading makes it unsuitable for gaming.
Virtualization
Good for 1-2 VMs, but lacks hyper-threading.
8MB cache helps with VM context switching, but 4 threads is still a severe bottleneck.
Efficiency
Outstanding efficiency with a 35W TDP.
Matches the i3-8100T's excellent efficiency profile.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI hardware.
- Low clocks make inference slow.
- No AI hardware.
- Fixed 3.2 GHz clock is too slow for meaningful inference.
Content Creation
Gaming
- 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.
- Not intended for gaming.
- Fixed 3.2 GHz clock prevents acceptable frame rates in modern titles.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
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
Pros
- 8MB L3 cache is larger than retail i3 alternatives
- 3.2 GHz fixed clock is 100 MHz higher than 8100T
- Low 35W power draw
- UHD Graphics 630 included
- Often cheap on the used market
Cons
- OEM-only, no retail warranty
- No Turbo Boost
- No Hyper-Threading
- Still only 4 threads
- DDR4-2400 memory limit
- PCIe 3.0 only
Competitors & Alternatives
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
Intel Core i3-8300T
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-8100TRival
Low-Power Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-8400TRival
OEM Low-Power
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200GERival
Low-Power Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-8100Rival
Standard Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 3400GERival
Low-Power Desktop
The 10th gen successor adds Hyper-Threading and Turbo Boost.
Compare head-to-headN/A
A Coffee Lake refresh option with better clocks.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A 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 reviewA uniquely configured OEM chip that offers more cache than the retail i3-8100T. While still limited by no Turbo Boost or Hyper-Threading, the 8MB cache makes it the best performing 35W 8th gen i3.
Best for: Finding one salvaged from an OEM PC to use as a cheap LGA 1151v2 upgrade, as it outperforms the retail i3-8100T.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-8400T or Intel Core i3-8300T?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-8400T comes out ahead with a score of 7.5/10. 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 i5-8400T or Intel Core i3-8300T?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-8400T leads with a gaming performance score of 50/100 among Intel Core i5-8400T and Intel Core i3-8300T.
Do Intel Core i5-8400T and Intel Core i3-8300T use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the LGA 1151 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i5-8400T has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i5-8400T (6 cores), Intel Core i3-8300T (4 cores).
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.