Intel Core i5-6400 vs Intel Core i5-3470

The Intel Core i5-6400 is based on the Skylake S architecture and was manufactured using the 14 nm process, while the Intel Core i5-3470 is based on the older Ivy Bridge S architecture using the 22 nm process.

Both processors are designed for the mainstream desktop market and feature 4 cores and 4 threads. In terms of performance, the Intel Core i5-6400 offers significantly higher single-core and multi-core performance thanks to its newer architecture. Benchmarks show that it outperforms the Intel Core i5-3470 by more than 10 percent in both categories.

This performance difference also makes the Intel Core i5-6400 a better choice for gaming scenarios, as games benefit from improved instructions per clock (IPC). Both support PCIe 3.0. The Intel Core i5-6400 with a Thermal Design Power (TDP) of 65 watts is more energy-efficient than the Intel Core i5-3470 with 77 watts.

In addition, the Intel Core i5-6400 offers a higher maximum memory bandwidth of 34 GB/s compared to 26 GB/s for the Intel Core i5-3470. Its integrated graphics unit, the Intel HD Graphics 530, is also more powerful than the Intel HD Graphics 2500 of the Intel Core i5-3470.

Both CPUs are primarily available on the used market. For general desktop tasks, lighter productivity, and gaming, the Intel Core i5-6400 is the more recommendable option due to its superior performance and efficiency. The Intel Core i5-3470 is only worth considering with a very tight budget and as a minimal upgrade path.