Intel Core i5-3470 vs Intel Core i5-8400

The Intel Core i5-8400, based on Intel's Coffee Lake S architecture, was developed for mainstream desktops.

The Intel Core i5-3470 comes from the earlier Ivy Bridge S architecture and was also intended for the mid-range segment.

The Intel Core i5-8400 is manufactured using a 14 nm process and offers six cores and six threads, 9 MB of Level 3 cache, and 43 GB/s memory bandwidth. The Intel Core i5-3470 uses a 22 nm process, has four cores and four threads, 6 MB of Level 3 cache, and 26 GB/s memory bandwidth.

Both support PCIe 3.0. The Intel Core i5-8400 shows significantly superior single-core and multi-core performance due to its newer architecture and higher core count. For gaming scenarios, the Intel Core i5-8400 offers noticeably better frame rates, supported by the more powerful integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 compared to the Intel HD Graphics 2500 of the Intel Core i5-3470.

Thanks to the 14 nm process, the Intel Core i5-8400 is more energy-efficient than the 22 nm Intel Core i5-3470. On the used market, the Intel Core i5-8400 offers a better price-performance ratio for current applications. The Intel Core i5-3470 is cheaper but only relevant for very simple tasks or as a replacement part.

For higher computing power, multitasking, and gaming, the Intel Core i5-8400 is recommended. The Intel Core i5-3470 is suitable for systems with minimal requirements or as a cost-effective upgrade for older Ivy Bridge platforms.