Intel Core i5-9400 vs Intel Core i3-10100

The Intel Core i5-9400 was introduced in the second quarter of 2019 for mainstream users and casual gamers seeking solid everyday performance.

The Intel Core i3-10100, presented in the second quarter of 2020, targeted budget-conscious users with a need for improved single-core performance and multitasking capability.

Both processors are manufactured by Intel using a 14nm process. The Intel Core i5-9400 (Coffee Lake S Refresh) has 6 cores and 6 threads with 9 MB of Level 3 Cache. The Intel Core i3-10100 (Comet Lake S), a refined 14nm iteration, offers 4 cores with 8 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading and 6 MB of Level 3 Cache.

Neither CPU shows a separate Level 2 Cache in the provided information and both support PCIe 3.0 as well as a maximum memory bandwidth of 43 GB/s. In benchmarks, the Intel Core i3-10100 shows a noticeable increase in single-core performance in Cinebench R23. The multi-core performance of both CPUs is comparable.

For gaming, the Intel Core i3-10100 can offer a slight advantage in many games due to its higher single-core performance and newer architecture. The Intel Core i5-9400, with more physical cores and a larger L3 cache, can be competitive in more heavily parallelized games.

Both are equipped with Intel UHD Graphics 630. The power consumption for both CPUs is similar, with a Thermal Design Power (TDP) of 65 watts. In terms of price-performance ratio, the Intel Core i3-10100 offers advantages in multitasking and system responsiveness due to Hyper-Threading and a newer architecture.

In summary, the Intel Core i5-9400 provides six physical cores for parallelized applications. The Intel Core i3-10100 scores with Hyper-Threading, improved single-core performance, and a newer architecture. For a cost-effective, modern, and versatile CPU, the Intel Core i3-10100 is the more suitable choice.

The Intel Core i5-9400 is an option if it is available at a significantly lower price and the application benefits from more physical cores.