CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-9400 vs Intel Core i3-9300
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-9400 is a mainstream six-core desktop processor that struck a sweet spot for budget-conscious gamers and general users upon its release, offering solid single-threaded performance.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Handles office tasks and moderate programming workloads efficiently.
The 8 MB cache helps keep frequently used office applications responsive.
Gaming
Capable of smooth 1080p gaming when paired with a mid-range discrete GPU.
Slightly better than the 9100 due to cache and clocks, but 4 threads remain a hard bottleneck.
Virtualization
Good for basic VMs, but 6 threads limit heavy parallel virtualization.
4 threads are insufficient for meaningful virtualization.
Efficiency
Balanced performance within a standard 65W power envelope.
The 62 W TDP makes it slightly more efficient per clock than the 65 W 9100.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI-specific hardware
- CPU inference is slow due to lack of threads
- No AI capabilities
Content Creation
Gaming
- Excellent for budget gaming builds
- Handles eSports titles flawlessly
- May bottleneck high-end modern GPUs at 1080p
- Can handle very light esports at low settings if paired with a dedicated GPU
- The 4-thread limit causes significant stuttering in modern games
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
- 8 MB L3 cache provides a tangible latency reduction
- 62 W TDP is slightly more efficient than the 65 W standard
- Higher clocks than the i3-9100 out of the box
- UHD 630 included for display output
- ECC memory support (if motherboard allows)
Cons
- OEM-exclusive, impossible to buy at retail
- Only 4 cores and 4 threads
- No Hyper-Threading
- Memory locked to DDR4-2400 MT/s
- Outclassed by cheap used AMD Ryzen parts
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-9400
- 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 i5-9400FRival
Mainstream Desktop
- Intel Core i7-7700Rival
Mainstream Desktop
Offers Hyper-Threading and slightly better performance for a similar price.
Compare head-to-headNewer platform with 8 threads and similar gaming performance.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i3-9300
- AMD Ryzen 3 3100Rival
Budget AM4
- Intel Core i3-9100Rival
Standard Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-9400Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 1600 AFRival
Used Market Value
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-10100Rival
Next-Gen Desktop
Our Verdict on Each
A highly popular, 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 reviewThe i3-9300 is a minor tweak on the 9100, offering a bit more cache and slightly better efficiency, but its OEM-exclusive nature and 4-thread limit make it irrelevant for DIY builders.
Best for: The i3-9300 should only be considered if you are purchasing a pre-built desktop from an OEM (like HP or Lenovo) that happens to use this chip, and the price is heavily discounted. The 8 MB cache makes it a slightly better performer than a 9100 in single-task office environments. If you are building a PC yourself, you cannot buy this chip, and you shouldn't try to hunt it down on the grey market.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-9400 or Intel Core i3-9300?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-9400 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 i5-9400 or Intel Core i3-9300?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-9400 leads with a gaming performance score of 78/100 among Intel Core i5-9400 and Intel Core i3-9300.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i3-9300 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-9400 (65 W), Intel Core i3-9300 (62 W).
Do Intel Core i5-9400 and Intel Core i3-9300 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-9400: Intel Socket 1151, Intel Core i3-9300: LGA 1151), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i5-9400 has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i5-9400 (6 cores), Intel Core i3-9300 (4 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i3-9300 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i3-9300 (5,600). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.