CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-8420 vs Intel Core i5-9400F
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-8420 is a mainstream six-core desktop processor that quietly filled the gaps in Intel's 8th Generation Coffee Lake lineup, offering a compelling mix of clock speeds and core counts for budget-conscious users.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Handles office tasks and moderate programming workloads efficiently.
Snappy application launches and smooth multitasking.
Gaming
Capable of smooth 1080p gaming when paired with a mid-range discrete GPU.
Excellent pairing for mid-range GPUs; handles 60fps gaming effortlessly.
Virtualization
Good for basic VMs, but 6 threads limit heavy parallel virtualization.
Limited to 6 threads, but VT-x support allows basic VM usage.
Efficiency
Balanced performance within a standard 65W power envelope.
65W TDP is easy to manage with budget coolers.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI-specific hardware
- CPU inference is slow due to lack of threads
- No dedicated AI hardware
- CPU inference is slow
Content Creation
Gaming
- Excellent for budget gaming builds
- Handles eSports titles flawlessly
- May bottleneck high-end modern GPUs at 1080p
- Ideal for GTX 1660 / RTX 3060 class GPUs
- Slight bottleneck possible with high-end GPUs at 1080p
- Lacks integrated graphics for troubleshooting
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Excellent price-to-performance ratio historically
- Strong single-core speeds for 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
- Excellent budget gaming value
- 6 physical cores
- 4.1 GHz single-core boost
- Low 65W TDP
- Easy to cool
Cons
- No integrated graphics (requires discrete GPU)
- No Hyper-Threading
- Locked multiplier
- End-of-life platform
- Limited to PCIe 3.0
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-8420
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-8400Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 1600Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-8500Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- Intel Core i7-7700Rival
Mainstream Desktop
Slightly newer generation with similar specifications.
Compare head-to-headNewer platform with 8 threads and similar gaming performance.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i5-9400F
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600Rival
Budget Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-8400Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 1600Rival
Budget Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-8100Rival
Budget Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-9400Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- Intel Core i3-10100FAlt
Newer generation, 8 threads, and often cheaper on modern platforms.
Better multi-threaded performance with 12 threads.
Compare head-to-headSlight bump in clock speeds if you want a tiny edge.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A highly cost-effective 6-core processor that delivers excellent value for mainstream users, though lacking Hyper-Threading limits its heavy multitasking ceiling.
Best for: Upgrading an older LGA 1151 system on a budget, or building an office/HTPC machine.
Read the full reviewOne of the best value gaming CPUs of its era. By removing the iGPU, Intel lowered the price, making it a top choice for budget builders with a dedicated graphics card.
Best for: Building a budget 1080p gaming PC using the used market, where a dedicated GPU is already owned.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-8420 or Intel Core i5-9400F?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-9400F comes out ahead with a score of 8.2/10. 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 i5-8420 or Intel Core i5-9400F?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-9400F leads with a gaming performance score of 80/100 among Intel Core i5-8420 and Intel Core i5-9400F.
Do Intel Core i5-8420 and Intel Core i5-9400F use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the Intel Socket 1151 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.