CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-8420T vs Intel Core i5-9500T
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-8420T is a low-power desktop processor part of the 8th generation Coffee Lake family. Released in September 2018, it is a slight revision of the i5-8400T. Built on the 14nm process, it features 6 cores and 6 threads. The 'T' suffix indicates a 35W TDP, making it suitable for small form factor and energy-efficient systems. The base clock is 1.8 GHz, with a maximum turbo boost of 3.4 GHz, offering a minor bump over its predecessor. 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 standard display output. With 16 PCIe 3.0 lanes, it provides sufficient bandwidth for typical desktop expansions. Compatible with LGA 1151 sockets on 300-series chipsets, the i5-8420T is an OEM-focused chip designed for corporate environments and compact PCs where power efficiency is paramount.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
6 cores provide good office performance, but single-core is limited.
Excellent for office environments, large spreadsheets, and heavy web browsing.
Gaming
Marginally better than 8400T, but still too slow for modern gaming.
Not intended for gaming; integrated graphics can handle basic 2D and very light 3D apps.
Virtualization
Suitable for basic VMs, but lacks threads.
vPro and VT-x support make it highly capable for enterprise VDI setups.
Efficiency
Excellent 35W efficiency.
Outstanding power efficiency; runs exceptionally cool.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI hardware.
- Slow CPU inference.
- No AI acceleration hardware
- Low power limits prevent sustained AI workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- Low clocks limit high-refresh gaming.
- Integrated graphics are weak.
- Needs a discrete GPU for any real gaming.
- UHD 630 is only for display output or very old games
- Not designed for 3D gaming workloads
- Low base clock hinders gaming performance
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Low 35W TDP
- 6 cores for multi-tasking
- Runs cool and quiet
- Good for basic office use
Cons
- Very similar to 8400T
- Locked multiplier
- No Hyper-Threading
- Hard to find retail, OEM only
Pros
- Strict 35W TDP (configurable to 25W)
- Intel vPro support for enterprise management
- 6 physical cores for multitasking
- Integrated UHD Graphics 630
- Runs exceptionally cool and quiet
Cons
- Low base clock of 2.2 GHz
- Locked multiplier
- Expensive compared to consumer i5 parts
- No Hyper-Threading
- End-of-life platform
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-8420T
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-8400TRival
Low Power Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 2400GERival
Low Power Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-8500TRival
Low Power Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 3 2200GERival
Budget Low Power
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-8100TRival
Budget Low Power
- AMD Ryzen 5 3400GEAlt
Better integrated graphics.
Modern alternative with much better IPC.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600GEAlt
Better efficiency and multi-core.
Intel Core i5-9500T
- AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2600GERival
Low Power Enterprise
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-9500Rival
Mainstream Enterprise
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-8700TRival
Low Power Enterprise
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-8500TRival
Low Power Enterprise
- AMD Ryzen 5 3400GERival
Low Power Enterprise
Cheaper and offers nearly identical performance if vPro is not needed.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i5-10500TAlt
Newer generation with 12 threads and better efficiency.
Our Verdict on Each
A modest refresh of the 8400T, offering slightly higher clocks in the same 35W envelope, primarily for OEM systems.
Best for: Finding a cheap used OEM PC with this chip for basic office work.
Read the full reviewAn excellent low-power processor for enterprise environments. The 35W TDP and vPro support make it ideal for compact, managed office PCs.
Best for: Building a silent home server, pfSense router, or compact enterprise PC where vPro and 35W TDP are required.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-8420T or Intel Core i5-9500T?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-9500T comes out ahead with a score of 8/10. 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 i5-8420T or Intel Core i5-9500T?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-8420T leads with a gaming performance score of 52/100 among Intel Core i5-8420T and Intel Core i5-9500T.
Do Intel Core i5-8420T and Intel Core i5-9500T use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-8420T: LGA 1151, Intel Core i5-9500T: Intel Socket 1151), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-8420T posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-8420T (8,600). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.