i9-9960X vs i5-8400

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i5-8400
2017
6 cores / 6 threads, 65 Watt
5.82
Core i9-9960X
2018
16 cores / 32 threads, 165 Watt
19.05
+227%

Core i9-9960X outperforms Core i5-8400 by a whopping 227% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-8400 and Core i9-9960X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking1114303
Place by popularity68not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation4.864.74
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i5Intel Core i9
Power efficiency8.4710.93
Architecture codenameCoffee Lake-S (2017−2018)Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
Release date5 October 2017 (7 years ago)19 October 2018 (6 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$182$1,684

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i5-8400 has 3% better value for money than i9-9960X.

Detailed specifications

Core i5-8400 and Core i9-9960X basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores6 (Hexa-Core)16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads632
Base clock speed2.8 GHz3.1 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz4.5 GHz
Bus typeDMI 3.0DMI 3.0
Bus rate4 × 8 GT/s4 × 8 GT/s
Multiplier2831
L1 cache64K (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)1 MB (per core)
L3 cache9 MB (shared)22 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm14 nm
Die size149 mm2484 mm2
Maximum core temperature100 °C85 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility++
Unlocked multiplier-+

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-8400 and Core i9-9960X compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1 (Uniprocessor)
SocketFCLGA1151FCLGA2066
Power consumption (TDP)65 Watt165 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-8400 and Core i9-9960X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512
AES-NI++
AVX++
vPro+no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology-+
TSX-+
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring+-
Turbo Boost Max 3.0no data+

Security technologies

Core i5-8400 and Core i9-9960X technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT-no data
EDB++
Secure Key+no data
MPX+-
Identity Protection+-
SGXYes with Intel® MEno data
OS Guard+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-8400 and Core i9-9960X are enumerated here.

AMD-V+-
VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-8400 and Core i9-9960X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3, DDR4DDR4-2666
Maximum memory size128 GB128 GB
Max memory channels24
Maximum memory bandwidth42.671 GB/s85.33 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel UHD Graphics 630N/A
Max video memory64 GBno data
Quick Sync Video+-
Clear Video+no data
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency1.05 GHzno data
InTru 3D+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-8400 and Core i9-9960X integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported3no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i5-8400 and Core i9-9960X integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution support+no data
Max resolution over HDMI 1.44096x2304@24Hzno data
Max resolution over eDP4096x2304@60Hzno data
Max resolution over DisplayPort4096x2304@60Hzno data

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i5-8400 and Core i9-9960X integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX12no data
OpenGL4.5no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-8400 and Core i9-9960X.

PCIe version3.03.0
PCI Express lanes1644

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i5-8400 5.82
i9-9960X 19.05
+227%

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i5-8400 9237
i9-9960X 30254
+228%

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i5-8400 1373
i9-9960X 1385
+0.9%

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i5-8400 4801
i9-9960X 10376
+116%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 5.82 19.05
Recency 5 October 2017 19 October 2018
Physical cores 6 16
Threads 6 32
Power consumption (TDP) 65 Watt 165 Watt

i5-8400 has 153.8% lower power consumption.

i9-9960X, on the other hand, has a 227.3% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 1 year, and 166.7% more physical cores and 433.3% more threads.

The Core i9-9960X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5-8400 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-8400 and Core i9-9960X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i5-8400
Core i5-8400
Intel Core i9-9960X
Core i9-9960X

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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