CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-8400T vs Core i5-11400T
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.
Handles office tasks well, but slower for heavy processing.
Gaming
Can handle light gaming, but low clocks limit high-refresh gaming.
Not suitable for modern gaming due to low base clock.
Virtualization
Good for 1-2 VMs, but lacks hyper-threading.
Adequate for light VMs, but limited by clocks.
Efficiency
Outstanding efficiency with a 35W TDP.
Exceptional power efficiency with a 35W TDP.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI hardware.
- Low clocks make inference slow.
- AVX-512 support included
- Low clocks limit AI inference performance
- Not recommended for machine learning
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.
- Low base clock heavily bottlenecks modern GPUs
- Suitable only for older or 2D games
- Best paired with low-end discrete graphics or iGPU
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
- Extremely low 35W TDP
- Supports PCIe 4.0
- 6 cores for solid multitasking
- Quiet operation potential
Cons
- Very low base clock (1.3 GHz)
- Not suitable for gaming
- Locked multiplier
- Uses older 14nm process
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
Core i5-11400T
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600GERival
Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 4600GERival
Desktop
- Intel Core i5-10400TRival
Desktop
- Intel Core i3-10100TRival
Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 3 4300GERival
Desktop
- Intel Core i5-11400Alt
Offers higher base clocks and 65W TDP for better performance.
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600GAlt
Much better integrated graphics and similar power efficiency.
Newer Alder Lake alternative with better single-core speed.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i5-12400TAlt
A newer 12th gen alternative with improved IPC and efficiency.
- AMD Ryzen 5 4600GAlt
A reliable budget APU with strong integrated graphics.
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 reviewAn excellent low-TDP processor for SFF builds, offering 6 cores and PCIe 4.0 with minimal heat output.
Best for: The Intel Core i5-11400T is highly recommended for builders constructing a small form factor PC, home theater PC, or a silent office workstation. Its 35W TDP means it can be cooled passively or with a low-RPM fan, ensuring a completely silent computing experience. It is perfect for 1080p media playback, light office work, and web browsing. However, it is not advisable for gaming or heavy content creation, as its low base clock of 1.3 GHz will bottleneck modern GPUs and slow down rendering tasks significantly. If your primary goal is a compact, energy-efficient system that runs 24/7 without generating excess heat, the 11400T is an excellent choice. Just ensure you pair it with fast NVMe storage to leverage the PCIe 4.0 lanes, maximizing system responsiveness for everyday tasks.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-8400T or Core i5-11400T?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-8400T leads with a gaming performance score of 50/100 among Intel Core i5-8400T and Core i5-11400T.
Do Intel Core i5-8400T and Core i5-11400T use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-8400T: LGA 1151, Core i5-11400T: Intel Socket 1200), 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.