Quick Verdict
A standard quad-core CPU of its era that handles basic tasks well, but lacks Hyper-Threading and is heavily bottlenecked in modern multi-threaded workloads.
Overview
Launch
Jan 3rd, 2017
Status
ActiveGeneration
Core i5 (Kaby Lake)
Market
Desktop
The Intel Core i5-7400 is a mainstream desktop processor launched in early 2017 as part of the 7th Generation Kaby Lake lineup. Designed as the entry point for the Core i5 desktop family, it features four physical cores operating at a base frequency of 3.0 GHz, with the ability to boost up to 3.5 GHz. Manufactured on Intel's mature 14nm process, it fits into the standard 65-watt TDP envelope, making it compatible with a wide range of cooling solutions and motherboards. The chip lacks Hyper-Threading, handling four threads simultaneously, which was standard for i5 processors of this generation. It integrates Intel HD 630 graphics, providing adequate performance for everyday multimedia tasks and hardware-accelerated video decoding. Supporting dual-channel DDR4 memory at 2400 MT/s and featuring 16 PCIe 3.0 lanes, the i5-7400 was widely adopted in budget gaming rigs and office PCs. While it has been surpassed by modern processors, it remains a functional solution for basic computing needs and legacy system builds.
The Core i5-7400 served as the entry point to Intel's 7th Gen i5 desktop lineup. With 4 cores and 4 threads, it was a popular choice for budget gaming and office PCs. Its 3.
0 GHz base and 3.5 GHz boost clocks are adequate for basic tasks, but the lack of Hyper-Threading limits modern multitasking and multi-core performance.
Specifications
Performance
Solid performance for standard office tasks, but limited by 4 threads in heavy multitasking.
Basic VM support is possible, but performance is restricted by core count.
Can run older games well but will bottleneck modern GPUs significantly.
65W TDP is well-managed and easy to cool.
- •Heavily bottlenecked by 4 threads in modern titles
- •Acceptable for retro or e-sports titles with a low-end GPU
- •HD 630 not suitable for modern gaming without a dedicated GPU
- •No AI acceleration hardware
- •Will struggle with any local AI inference
Architecture
14nm
Process Node
Kaby Lake
Codename
4C / 4T
Core Config
6 MB
L3 Cache
65 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The Core i5-7400 is built upon the Kaby Lake microarchitecture, Intel's refined 14nm process that succeeded Skylake. While not a fundamental architectural overhaul, Kaby Lake improved frequency scaling and power efficiency, allowing the i5-7400 to maintain a 3.0 GHz base clock within a 65W envelope. The architecture features four physical cores without Hyper-Threading, a design choice Intel maintained for mainstream i5 processors until the 8th generation. The chip includes 6MB of SmartCache, reducing memory latency and improving performance in bursty workloads. The integrated HD 630 graphics are a key component of the architecture, featuring improved media engines that offer native hardware decoding for 10-bit HEVC and VP9 video formats. This makes the processor highly efficient for media consumption. The memory controller supports dual-channel DDR4-2400, and the platform provides 16 PCIe 3.0 lanes for peripheral expansion. Overall, the architecture prioritizes stability and efficiency over raw multi-threaded breakthrough.
CPU Design
4 cores and 4 threads without Hyper-Threading.
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel DDR4-2400.
PCIe & I/O
16 PCIe 3.0 lanes.
Overclocking
Locked multiplier; Base clock overclocking is heavily restricted.
- Higher base and boost clocks
- Improved 14nm process
- Better media engine
Key Highlights
- Good single-core performance for basic tasks
- Low 65W TDP is easy to cool
- Hardware video decoding for modern codecs
- Widely compatible with LGA 1151 motherboards
- Affordable on the used market
- Only 4 threads limits modern multitasking
- Locked multiplier prevents overclocking
- No PCIe Gen 4 support
- Bottlenecks modern mid-range GPUs
- Not supported on Windows 11 officially
History
Released in January 2017, the Core i5-7400 marked the entry point for Intel's 7th Generation mainstream desktop processors. At a time when Intel faced minimal competitive pressure from AMD, the quad-core, four-thread design was the standard for mid-range computing. The processor was widely adopted by system integrators and budget-conscious builders pairing it with GPUs like the GTX 1050 Ti or RX 470.
However, just months after its release, AMD launched the Ryzen series, introducing 6-core and 8-core processors at similar price points. This competitive shift exposed the limitations of the i5-7400's four-thread design. Consequently, the i5-7400 became one of the last entry-level quad-cores without Hyper-Threading, as Intel was forced to respond with 6-core designs in the subsequent 8th Generation (Coffee Lake) to remain competitive.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Higher base and boost clocks
- Improved 14nm process
- Better media engine
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
Keeping an existing LGA 1151 system alive for basic office work.
Avoid if…
- Building a new PC
- Playing modern AAA games
- Doing any video editing or heavy rendering
- You want a future-proof upgrade path
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
It was the entry-level desktop Core i5 of the 7th generation.
It has a base clock of exactly 3.0 GHz.
The processor was released on January 3rd, 2017.
It is built on the 14nm Kaby Lake architecture.
It features Intel HD 630 graphics.
The max turbo frequency is 3.5 GHz.
It supports dual-channel DDR4-2400 memory.
It has a 65W TDP rating.
The part number is SR32W.
It lacks Hyper-Threading, limiting it to 4 threads.
People Also Ask
Is the i5-7400 good for gaming?
It struggles with modern games due to only having 4 cores and 4 threads, causing severe bottlenecks.
Can I overclock the i5-7400?
No, the multiplier is locked and base clock overclocking is restricted on this generation.
Does the i5-7400 support Windows 11?
Officially, no. It is not on Microsoft's supported CPU list.
What socket does the i5-7400 use?
It uses the Intel LGA 1151 socket.
How many threads does the i5-7400 have?
It has 4 cores and 4 threads (no Hyper-Threading).
What is the TDP of the i5-7400?
It has a standard desktop TDP of 65 watts.
Does the i5-7400 have integrated graphics?
Yes, it includes Intel HD Graphics 630.
What memory speed does the i5-7400 support?
It natively supports DDR4-2400 memory.
What is the difference between i5-7400 and i5-7500?
The i5-7500 has slightly higher base (3.4GHz) and boost (3.8GHz) clocks.
Can I put an i5-7400 in a 100-series motherboard?
Yes, but it requires a BIOS update on the 100-series board.
Frequently Asked Questions
What generation is the Intel Core i5-7400?
It is a 7th Generation Intel Core processor (Kaby Lake).
Does the i5-7400 support Hyper-Threading?
No, it is strictly a 4-core, 4-thread processor.
What is the base clock of the i5-7400?
The base clock is 3.0 GHz.
What is the max turbo frequency?
It can turbo boost up to 3.5 GHz.
What graphics are integrated into the i5-7400?
It features Intel HD Graphics 630.
Does the i5-7400 support DDR4 memory?
Yes, it supports dual-channel DDR4-2400.
How much L3 cache does the i5-7400 have?
It has 6 MB of L3 cache.
Is the i5-7400 unlocked for overclocking?
No, the multiplier is locked.
What PCIe version does it support?
It supports PCIe Gen 3.
What is the part number for the i5-7400?
The part number is SR32W.